ExxonMobil's high performance synthetic grease Mobilith SHC™ 220 has delivered significant performance benefits for a Brazilian mining company.
The grease helped extend equipment bearing life by 43%, leading to an estimated cost saving of USD$4.2M over four years.
The Brazilian mining company operates a fleet of 19,000 open gondola cars, which have a total of 152,000 roller bearings. The fleet carries an average of 465,000 tons of iron ore per day. And their axle bearings are commonly subjected to temperatures as high as 90ºC (194ºF).
These severe conditions can cause a reduction in lubricant viscosity and trigger leaks within the bearing assemblies, leading to premature bearing failure. To help solve this issue, ExxonMobil recommended Mobilith SHC 220, which is designed to help optimise the productivity and efficiency of mine site operations.
Since switching to Mobilith SHC 220, the mining company has seen a reduction in the operating temperature of the bearings from 90ºC (194ºF) to 70ºC (158ºF). It has also reported that the grease's high viscosity index oil has helped to reduce equipment wear and corrosion, when compared with conventional greases.
"In these challenging times, a small thing such as switching to a high performance lubricant can make a huge difference to a mine site's productivity and profitability," said Mohamed Mourad, EAME Industrial Marketing Advisor at ExxonMobil. "We have worked closely with mining professionals for more than 50 years to obtain the necessary insights required to formulate products that help to maximise productivity in a safe and cost-efficient way."
For more information, please visit mobilindustrial.com.
