In the household appliance industry (“white goods”), increasingly sophisticated mechanical components such as hinges, slide rails, and electromechanical assemblies are being used. These components are not only subject to high mechanical loads but must also remain fully functional over the long term under extreme thermal and chemical conditions. Lubricants for household appliances are therefore designed for specific applications – ranging from bearing greases for washing machine drives to silicone greases for seals on elastomer components.
Filter
Operating temperature: -25 °C to 1200 °C
Viscosity at 40°C (active ingredient): 100 mm²/s
Base oil: other, white oil
Thickener: polyurea, solid lubricant
open gears, racks
oscillating
Operating temperature: -40 °C to 180 °C
Viscosity at 40°C (active ingredient): 750 mm²/s
Base oil: silicone
Thickener: solid lubricant
assembly grease / fittings / o-rings, valves
Operating temperature: -40 °C to 170 °C
Viscosity at 40°C (active ingredient): 400 mm²/s
Base oil: poly-alpha-olefin, ester oil
Thickener: polyurea
roller bearing, slide bearing, guides, curves, fittings & joints
rotating, sliding, rolling
Operating temperature: -40 °C to 500 °C
Viscosity at 40°C (active ingredient): 750 mm²/s
Base oil: silicone
Thickener: solid lubricant
fittings & joints
sliding
Pyrolysis ovens are a practical example: While standard ovens reach operating temperatures of up to approximately 300 °C, the cleaning cycles of pyrolysis ovens can reach up to 500 °C. Conventional lubricants decompose at these temperatures, which until now meant that moving components, such as pull-out rails, had to be removed before the cleaning cycle.
High-temperature lubricants designed for this purpose are based on a thickened, thermally stable, and food-grade base oil. The high-temperature grease evaporates without leaving any residue when the pyrolysis temperature is reached, leaving behind a fine, evenly distributed solid film that ensures the components’ sliding function remains unrestricted even after several pyrolysis cycles. These greases are NSF H1-registered and are therefore approved for use in food-contact applications.
For classic stove hinges with stroke- and force-controlled kinematics, oxidation-stable specialty greases that have been proven over many years are used. These hinges must typically operate without wear for more than 150,000 cycles. The design utilizes a cam-controlled motion combined with a replaceable coil spring to accommodate different door weights. The lubrication must be both thermally and mechanically stable and support stick-slip-free, low-noise movement when used with a wide variety of engineering plastics and galvanized steel.
Lubricants for refrigerator compressors must also remain compatible with the materials and temperature-stable over long operating periods to ensure long-term efficiency and quiet operation.
Modern household appliances are increasingly becoming part of connected smart-home solutions. Electromechanical hinge systems are used here, for example, to automatically open and close oven doors via sensors or mobile devices. These systems require high-load-bearing lubricants that deliver consistent performance throughout the appliance’s entire service life.
Electrically controlled actuators, in particular, are subject to high localized forces that can lead to increased wear. This necessitates the development of specially formulated greases that ensure both high pressure resistance and excellent compatibility with common materials such as glass-fiber-reinforced polyamide or galvanized steel.
We look forward to the technical exchange and the challenge of developing a suitable lubricant for your household appliance design as well.
