Rexroth Lubrication Guide
Rexroth Lubrication Guide
Rexroth Lubrication Guide
Screw Drives
2
Lubrication Guide
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Lubrication Guide
About this Guide
The reliable operation of linear motion elements depends on selecting the
right lubricants for the particular conditions of use.
A lubricant has to
– reduce friction and wear
– provide protection from corrosion and soiling.
Lubricant has a decisive impact on the operation and service life of linear
guides. A shortage of lubricant or the use of an unsuitable lubricant are
often the cause of linear guide failure.
The choice of suitable lubricants requires careful consideration during the
design, operation and servicing of linear guides. It depends above all on the
operating temperature range and the environmental and
operating conditions at the point of use. Consideration must also be
given to the type of lubricant supply.
Most linear motion elements work with grease or oil lubrication.
Oil/air lubrication is used in some cases.
This Lubrication Guide is generally valid for all STAR products.
No distinction is made, therefore, between models or types.
The guide is designed to provide you with fast help in choosing a suitable
lubricant for your application.
STAR products can be provided with an initial supply of lubricant to ensure
their smooth start-up. It is essential to ensure that these products are
relubricated with a medium that is compatible with the initial lubricant.
Initial Lubrication, Our initial lubricant and preservatives are chemically compatible with
mineral oil and PAO (polyalphaolefin).
Relubrication The thickening agents in our grease lubricants can be lithium, calcium or
aluminum base saponification agents.
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Lubricant Supply
Front Lube Units from
Rexroth Star
The maintenance-free operation of ball and roller rail systems is possible under favorable
conditions with the use of front lube units from Rexroth STAR. Front lube units form an
optimal seal between the guide rail and the runner block, which is filled with grease
lubricant. They themselves work with oil lubrication and have an oil reservoir to replace oil
losses.
Seal Functions Under favorable conditions the fine-tuned system ensures that a film of lubricant remains
on the guide rail. Where dirt is a factor, there has to be a change of priority. In this case
the seals are required to keep the dirt on the outside and the lubricant on the inside as far
as possible.
Grease Lubricant Through their firm consistency, grease lubricants help to prevent dirt getting into the linear
guide and promote the action of sealing and wiping elements. Grease lubricants exert an
enduring and defined effect at the point of contact between the friction partners and
permit long relubrication intervals, including life-long lubrication.
The thickening agents used in grease lubricants also create certain emergency running
characteristics.
Grease Lubricant from a Central lubrication systems often use liquid greases which, because of their soft fluid
Central Lubrication System structure, can be distributed far better than grease grades of higher viscosity.
The consistency of some liquid greases makes then unsuitable for conveyance in central
lubrication systems. Consideration must be given to the geometric conditions of the
central lubrication system (DIN 24271) as well as to the consistency class.
Oil Lubricants Oil lubricants can be distributed more evenly than greases and are better able therefore to
reach the points of contact. They are also good at removing frictional heat. It should be
noted, however, that oil lubricants tend to collect by force of gravity at the bottom of
equipment and escape more easily than grease lubricants.
Oil/Air Lubrication, Oil/air or oil mist lubrication is used for special applications. Oil/air lubrication causes less
Oil Mist Lubrication environmental pollution.
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Lubrication Guide
Lubricant Operating Conditions
Operating Temperature Range By far the majority of applications takes place at quite „normal“ operating temperatures
from +10°C to +35°C. This temperature range is covered without difficulty by
conventional standard greases on a mineral oil basis with lithium saponification.
For applications in the high temperature range up to +100°C or in the low temperature
down to –40°C (where the products themselves must first be checked for temperature
resistance) it may be necessary to use special grease lubricants.
An operating temperature range is quoted for each grease lubricant, specifying the
temperature limits between which it develops its assured characteristics to the full. Grease
lubricant manufacturers use test methods and empirical values to determine the operating
temperature range.
The maximal operating temperature of grease lubricants largely depends on the thickening
agent used as well as on the base oil. Each thickening agent has a defined melting point.
The melting point is the temperature at which, under test conditions, a grease lubricant
achieves a specific viscosity and drips out of the tester. In practice the maximal operating
temperature should be between +40°C and +60°C lower than the melting point.
The minimal operating temperature of grease lubricants depends above all on the viscosity
of the base oil. Generally speaking, the lower the viscosity of the base oil, the lower the
minimal operating temperature. Synthetic base oils are at an advantage in this respect
over mineral base oils. Base oils with viscosity < 100 mm2/s at +40°C are often used for
grease lubricants in the low-temperature range.
When oil lubricants are used, the selected product has to build up a lubricating film of
sufficient bearing capacity throughout the temperature range, i.e. its viscosity must not
become too low when heated or too high when cooled. Viscosity/temperature diagrams
show the relationship between viscosity and temperature.
Loads from Vibrations, Machinery and equipment are often affected by high vibration frequencies, permanently
Short Strokes and Oscillations oscillating movements or short strokes. The results are oscillating sliding and rotating
movements at the points of contact, which destroy the lubricating film.
Key lubricant selection parameters are: rotary speed, vibratory load, stroke travel, loading
forces and other environmental and operating conditions.
High Mechanical-Dynamic Loads High mechanical-dynamic loads require grease lubricants with extreme pressure
characteristics. Grease lubricants of this type are identified by a „P“ as the second digit in
the code according to DIN 51502, e.g. KP 2 K-30.
The suitability of the grease lubricant is determined in special tests (e.g. with a four-ball
tester) designed to establish the capacity of the grease to absorb pressure and provide
protection from wear. Solid lubricants such as molybdenum sulfide and graphite are often
used to increase pressure absorption and prevent wear. They reduce wear in the start-up
phase and in emergency running situations. There is a risk, however, of molybdenum
sulfide and graphite forming irregular deposits on antifriction bearings and
rail guides. These irregularities may result in local concentrations of stress on
the rolling elements and hence in premature failure. Greases with a basic viscosity
> 220 mm2/s at +40°C are often used in the heavy load range.
When oil lubricants are used instead of grease lubricants, preference should be given to
high-viscosity products of at least 680 mm2/s. It is imperative for these products to have
CLP rating, i.e. enhanced load capacity.
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Use in Clean Rooms If grease lubricants are to be used under clean-room conditions it is important to ensure
that there are no emissions from the grease lubricants selected. Normally this can be
assumed to be the case with all grease lubricants within their permissible operating
temperature range.
For clean-room applications special attention must be paid to providing adequate sealing
of the lubrication points.
Use in Vacuum Special lubricants with extremely low rates of evaporation have been developed for
applications in vacuum. The production of high-vacuum greases uses only specially pre-
treated raw materials whose vapor pressure cannot have a negative effect even in the
highest vacuum.
Use in the Food Industry Lubricants used in the production, processing and packing of food may only contain recipe
components which are harmless and do not change either the taste or the smell of the
food.
In Europe there is no institute which issues special permits for the food industry. Individual
approvals for use are issued e.g. by the German Water and Gas Association (DVGW), the
Bavarian State Office of Trading (LGA) and the Weihenstephan Engineering Test Institute
(BPVA). In the USA, on the other hand, there are two different permits issued by the
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): USDA H1 and USDA H2 are both
recognized in Germany.
UDA H1 Permit
This permit is issued for lubricants whose contact with food is occasional and cannot be
prevented for technical reasons.
To qualify for this permit, lubricants must contain only raw materials which meet the
requirements of the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These requirements
are set out in special approval lists.
USDA H2 Permit
This permit is issued for lubricants which have no direct contact with food. To qualify,
lubricants must contain none of the raw materials on the negative list drawn up
by the FDA.
EU Directive 93/43/EEC has been in force in Europe since 1996, and the new Food
Hygiene Regulation since February 1998. Both require adequate safety measures to be
taken in each company to guarantee the safety of food and to combat health hazards. The
practical feasibility of this safety system is based on an analysis and assessment of the
risks and assumes the use of certain hygiene testing and monitoring methods
(HACCP concept).
For the greatest assurance users should select lubricants whose safety can be verified by
relevant approvals (DVGW, LGA, USDA H1, USDA H2).
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Lubrication Guide
Lubricant Operating Conditions
Use in conjunction with Grease lubricants are exposed in practice to environmental influences such as:
– aqueous media – spray water
– diluted acids, alkalis or – condensation water
saline solutions – coolants
– cleaning agents
– acids and alkalis
– saline solutions
– corrosion-promoting substances
Grease lubricants saponified with calcium or a calcium complex are regarded as
particularly resistant to water. Good resistance is also displayed by grease lubricants with
lithium saponification. Resistance to spray water is examined in standardized tests.
Resistance to coolants and cleaning agents should be tested from case to case. Grease
lubricants saponified with a calcium complex display good resistance to diluted acids and
alkalis. It is recommendable, however, to carry out a separate test for each case of
application.
The corrosion-preventing characteristics of grease lubricants are tested under near-
operating conditions. This entails filling the bearing case of two pendulating ball bearings
with a defined quantity of distilled water or artificial sea water, after which a 7-day test
cycle (8 hours running, 16 hours standstill) is performed at 80 min-1. At the end of the test
the outer rings of the test bearings are examined for signs of corrosion.
For applications likely to be accompanied by corrosion phenomena it is best to resort to
grease lubricants which have scored good marks in this test.
With few exceptions, oil lubricants are unsuitable for these applications.
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Selection Table
How to find the right Operating Environmental and operating 1) Suitable
lubricant for your application: temperature range conditions lubricant
– First consult the table along side. Normal temperature Dry, relative humidity 35 to 70% ! page 10
– Search in the table for the operating +10°C bis +35°C
temperature range and the envi-
Damp, relative humidity 70 to 100% ! page 11
ronmental and operating
conditions 1) which apply to your case
of application. Loaded by vibrations, ! page 12
– A cross-reference !points you to the short strokes, oscillations
page containing further details of
lubricants for your application. High mechanical-dynamic loads ! page 13
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Lubrication Guide
Suitable Lubricants
Normal temperature +10°C bis +35°C
Environmental and operating conditions: Dry, relative humidity 35 to 70%
Suitable lubricants
Grease lubricants Manufacturer Name Specification
Agip Longtime Grease 2 KPE 2 N-40
Aral Aralub HLP 2 KP 2 K-30
BP Energrease LS-EP 2 KP 2 K-20
DEA Glissando R EP 2 LF KGKP 2 K-30
Esso Beacon EP 2 KP 2 N-20
Fuchs-DEA Renolit MP KP 2 K-40
Klüber Centoplex 2 KP 2 K-20
Mobil Mobilux EP 2 KP 2 K-20
Optimol Longtime PD 2 KP 2 N-40
Shell Alvania G2 KP 2 N-20
Tribol Tribol 3030/100 KP 2 K-30
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Normal temperature +10°C to +35°C
Environmental and operating conditions: Damp, relative humidity 70 to 100%
Suitable lubricants
Grease lubricants Manufacturer Name Specification
Agip Longtime Grease 2 KPE 2N-40
Aral Aralub HLP 2 KP 2 K-30
BP Energrease LC 2 KP 2 P-25
DEA Spectron FO 20 EP KP 2 N-30
Fuchs-DEA Renolit CX-EP 2 KP 2 K-30
Klüber Isoflex NCA 15 KP 2 K-40
Mobil Mobilgrease XHP 222 KP2 N-20
Mobil Mobilplex 47
Optimol Olista Longtime 2 KP 2 N-30
Shell Aldida RL 2 KP 2 N-20
Tribol Tribol 4020/220-2 KP 2 N-30
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Lubrication Guide
Suitable Lubricants
Normal temperature +10°C to +35°C
Environmental and operating conditions: Loads from vibrations, short strokes, oscillations
Suitable lubricants
Grease lubricants Manufacturer Name Specification
Agip Autol Top 2000 KP 2 G-30
Aral Aralub 4034 KP 2 K-20
Aral Aralub MKL 2 KP 2 K-20
BP Energrease LC 2 KP 2 P-25
Esso Beacon EP 1 KP 1 K-30
Klüber Microlube GL 261 KP 1 N-30
Mobil Mobilgrease XHP 222 KP 2 N-20
Optimol Longtime PD 2 KP 2 N-30
Tribol Tribol 3020/1000-2 KP 2 K-30
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Normal temperature +10°C to +35°C
Environmental and operating conditions: High mechanical-dynamic loads
Suitable lubricants
Grease lubricants Manufacturer Name Specification
Agip Autol Top 2000 KP 2 G-30
Aral Aralub 4034 KP 2 K-20
BP Energrease LC 2 KP 2 P-25
Esso Ronex MP-D
Fuchs-DEA Renolit CXI 2 KP 2 P-20
Klüber Microlube GL 261 KP 1 N-30
Mobil Mobilith SHC 1500 KP 1 K-10
Optimol Longtime PD 2 KP 2 K-40
Tribol Tribol 3020/1000-2 KP 2 K-30
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Lubrication Guide
Suitable Lubricants
Normal temperature +10°C to +35°C
Environmental and operating conditions: Clean room / vacuum
Suitable lubricants
Grease lubricants Manufacturer Name Specification
BP Energrease LS EP 2 KP 2 K-20
Fuchs-DEA Renolit G 2000
Klüber Isoflex Topas NCA 521) KHC 2 N-50
2)
Klüber Klüberalfa HX 83-302 KPFK Z 4-60
Mobil Mobilux EP 2 KP 2 K-10
Optimol Inertox Medium KFK 2 U-20
Tribol Molub-Alloy 2115-1 KFFK 1 U-30
N.B.:
The lubricants for clean room and vacuum applications sometimes contain solid lubricants
and in some cases are not compatible with our anti-corrosion oil. Please check with us.
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Normal temperature +10°C to +35°C
Environmental and operating conditions: USDA H1 requirements for the food industry
Suitable lubricants
Grease lubricants Manufacturer Name Specification
Aral Aralub 4822 KP 2 K-20
Aral Eural Grease EP 2 KPHC 2 R-60
Esso Carum 330 KP 1 K-20
Fuchs-DEA Renolit G-7-FG 1 K 2 N-20
Klüber Klübersynth UH 1 14-151 KHC 1 K-40
Mobil Mobilgrease FM 102 K 2 K-20
Optimol Obeen UF 2 KPHC 2 N-30
Tribol FoodProof 8765 KP 1 K-30
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Lubrication Guide
Suitable Lubricants
Normal temperature +10°C to +35°C
Environmental and operating conditions: USDA H2 requirements for the food industry
Suitable lubricants
Grease lubricants Manufacturer Name Specification
Aral Aralub 4822 KP 2 K-20
Klüber Barrierta L 55/2 K 2 K-30
Klüber Klüberplex BE 31-222 KP 2 K-20
Mobil Mobilith SHC 220 KPHC 2 N-30
Optimol Olit CLS KP 2 K-30
Tribol Tribob 4020/220-1 KP 1 N-30
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Normal temperature +10°C to +35°C
Environmental and operating conditions: Aqueous media
Suitable lubricants
Grease lubricants Manufacturer Name Specification
Agip Longtime Grease 2 KPE 2 N-40
Aral Aralub MKL 2 KP 2 N-30
BP Energrease LC 2 KP 2 P-25
Esso Nebula EP 2 KP 2 K-20
Fuchs-DEA Renolit CXI 2 KP 2 P- 20
Klüber Klüberplex BE 31-222 KP 2 N-10
Mobil Mobilgrease XHP 222 KP 2 N-20
Optimol Olit CLS KP 2 K-30
Tribol Tribol 4020/460-2 KP 2 N-20
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Lubrication Guide
Suitable Lubricants
Normal temperature +10°C to +35°C
Environmental and operating conditions: Diluted acids, alkalis, saline solutions (max. 10% solutions)
Suitable lubricants
Grease lubricants Manufacturer Name Specification
Agip Autol Top 2000 KP 2 G-30
Aral Aralub MKL 2 KP 2 N-30
BP Energrease LC 2 KP 2 P-25
Fuchs-DEA Renolit CXI 2 KP 2 P-20
Klüber Klüberplex BE 31-222 KP 2 K-20
Mobil Mobilgrease XHP 222
Optimol Olit CLS KP 2 K-30
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High temperature up to +100°C
Environmental and operating conditions: Dry, relative humidity 35 - 70%
Suitable lubricants
Grease lubricants Manufacturer Name Specification
Agip Autol Top 2000 High Temp KP 2 R-20
Aral Aralub MKC 2 KP 2 N-30
BP Energrease LC 2 KP 2 P-25
DEA Glissando EP 2 KP 2 K-30
Esso Norva HT 2 KP 2 N-10
Fuchs-DEA Renolit Duraplex EP 2 KP 2 N-30
Klüber Polylub GLY 791 KP 2 N-40
Mobil Mobilux EP 2 KP 2 K-20
Optimol Firetemp XT 2 KPHC 2 R-30
Shell Albida EP 2 KP 2 N-30
Tribol Tribol 9540-2 KPHC 2 R-40
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Lubrication Guide
Suitable Lubricants
High temperature up to +100°C
Environmental and operating conditions: Damp, relative humidity 70 - 100%
Suitable lubricants
Grease lubricants Manufacturer Name Specification
Agip Autol Top 2000 High Temp KP 2 R-20
Aral Aralub MKC 2 KP 2 N-30
BP Energrease LC 2 KP 2 P-25
DEA Glissando EP 2 KP 2 K-30
Esso Norva HT 2 KP 2 N-10
Fuchs-DEA Renolit HLT 2 KP 2 N-40
Klüber Polylub GLY 791 KP 2 N-40
Mobil Mobilux XHP 222 KP 2 N-20
Optimol Olista Longtime 2 KP 2 N-30
Shell Albida RL2 KP 2 N-20
Tribol Tribol 9141 KP 2/1 N-20
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Low temperature down up -40°C
Environmental and operating conditions: Dry, relative humidity 35 - 70%
Examples Aerospace
Refrigerating machines
Suitable lubricants
Grease lubricants Manufacturer Name Specification
Agip Longtime Grease 2 KPE N-40
Aral Aralub SEL K 2 G-50
Esso Unirex S 2 KE 2 S-50
Fuchs-DEA Renolit S2 KP 1 K-60
Klüber Isoflex LDS 18 Special A KPe 2 K-50
Optimol Optitemp TT1 KPE 1 K-60
Tribol Mollub-Alloy 243 Arktik KF 2/1 E-50
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Lubrication Guide
Applicable DIN Standards
Codes for Lubricants Code letters
According to DIN 51502 K P 2 K -30
Lubricating materials
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Additional code letter* for Code letter Synthetic or partially synthetic liquids
synthetic or partially synthetic
E Ester, organic
liquids according to DIN 51502
FK Perfluor liquids
Example KP HC 2 K-30
HC Synthetic hydrocarbons
PH Ester of phosphoric acid
* Not included in the code for lubricants
PG Polyglycols
according to DIN 51502
SI Silicon oils
X Others
Consistency index (NLGI- Class NLGI-Class Worked penetration according to DIN ISO 2137
according to DIN 51818)
000 44,5 mm to 47,5 mm
Example KP 2 K-30
00 40,0 mm to 43,0 mm
0 35,5 mm to 38,5 mm
1 31,0 mm to 34,0 mm
2 26,5 mm to 29,5 mm
3 22,0 mm to 25,0 mm
4 17,5 mm to 20,5 mm
5 13,0 mm to 16,0 mm
6 8,5 mm to 11,5 mm
Additional code letter Additional code letter Upper operating temp. Reaction to water 1)
(reaction to water according to C + 60°C 0-40 or 1-40
DIN 51807 Part 1, assessment level D + 60°C 2-40 or 3-40
DIN 51807) E + 80°C 0-40 or 1-40
Example KP 2 K -30 F + 80°C 2-40 or 3-40
G + 100°C 0-90 or 1-90
1) H + 100°C 2-90 or 3-90
0 stands for no change
1 stands for a slight change K + 120°C 0-90 or 1-90
2 stands for a moderate change M + 120°C 2-90 or 3-90
3 stands for a major change N + 140 °C by agreement
40 test temperature +40 °C P + 160 °C by agreement
90 test temperaturer+90 °C R + 180 °C by agreement
S + 200 °C by agreement
T + 220 °C by agreement
U over + 220 °C by agreement
Additional code number for lower Additional code number Lower service temperature
Seville temperature -10 -10 °C
Example KP 2 K -30 -20 -20 °C
-30 -30 °C
-40 -40 °C
-50 -50 °C
-60 -60 °C
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Lubrication Guide
Applicable DIN Standards
K, KP, KF and KPF grease
lubricants according to DIN 51825
K grease lubricants K grease lubricants are high-viscosity lubricants made of mineral oil and/or synthetic oil
plus a thickening agent. The addition of active ingredients and/or solid lubricants is
permitted. Codes are the same as those in DIN 51502.
KP grease lubricants K grease lubricants with active ingredients for reducing friction and wear in the mixed
friction zone and/or for increasing load capacity are identified with the additional code
letter P (KP grease lubricants). They are used, for example, to lubricate antifriction
bearings whose dynamic equivalent load P exceeds one tenth of the dynamic load capacity
C (see the information published by the manufacturer of the antifriction bearings).
KF grease lubricants K grease lubricants with solid lubricating additives are identified with the additional code
letter F.
KPF grease lubricants K grease lubricants containing active ingredients and solid lubricating additives are
identified by the two additional code letters P and F.
C oil lubricants C oil lubricants according to DIN 51517 are aging-resistant mineral oils without active
ingredients. Their codes are the same as those in DIN 51502.
CL oil lubricants CL oil lubricants are recommended when there is a risk of corrosion, e.g. due to water,
or when the service life of type C oil lubricants used at high temperatures would be
too short.
CL oil lubricants according to DIN 51 517 are mineral oils with active ingredients for
increasing the resistance to corrosion and aging (L).
CLP oil lubricants CLP oil lubricants are recommended when enhanced wear protection in the mixed friction
zone is required for friction areas due to high loads and/or it is necessary to prevent
surface damage such as score marks caused by overloading.
CLP oil lubricants according to DIN 51 517 are mineral oils with active ingredients for
increasing the resistance to corrosion and aging (L) plus active ingredients for reducing
wear in the mixed friction zone (P).
CGLP oil lubricants CGLP oil lubricants are recommend when there is a need for constant sliding
characteristics and high adhesion (e.g. for horizontal and vertical guide tracks). Good
demulsifying characteristics prevent mixing with water-miscible coolants.
CGLP oil lubricants according to DIN 51 517 are mineral oils with active ingredients for
increasing the resistance to corrosion and aging (L) plus active ingredients for reducing
wear in the mixed friction zone (P) plus very good sliding characteristics (G).
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HL, HLP and HVLP hydraulic oils
according to DIN 51524
HL hydraulic oils HL hydraulic oils according to DIN 51524 are hydraulic fluids made of mineral oils with
active ingredients for increasing the resistance to corrosion and aging.
HLP hydraulic oils HLP hydraulic oils according to DIN 51524 are hydraulic fluids made of mineral oils with
active ingredients for increasing the resistance to corrosion and aging and for preventing
fretting in the mixed friction zone.
HVLP hydraulic oils HVLP hydraulic oils according to DIN 51524 are hydraulic fluids made of mineral oils with
active ingredients for increasing the resistance to corrosion and aging, for preventnig
fretting in the mixed friction zone, and for improving the viscosity-temperature
characteristic.
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Lubrication Guide
Applicable DIN Standards
26
Notes
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Bosch Rexroth Corporation
Linear Motion and
Assembly Technologies
14001 South Lakes Drive
Charlotte, NC 28273
Phone: 800-438-5983
Fax: 704-583-0523
[email protected]
www.boschrexroth-us.com