Water and roller bearings go together about as well as polish and sandpaper—ultimately, not a great idea. However, contact with water cannot be avoided in many industries. The risk of water becoming contaminated is always present in steel production, mining, and the construction industry. It causes conventional lubricating greases to lose their anti-corrosive effect, meaning roller bearings wear out and fail more quickly. Thanks to BECHEM Complex CM 21, we’ve created a lubricant that effectively mitigates this effect. This diagram shows the special performance of the EP long-term lubricating grease BECHEM Complex CM 21 in water. If the Shell Roller Test results in extensive mixing of water and lubricating grease, a standard lithium grease only absorbs a small amount of the water, which then largely separates again. It often loses important properties along the way, for example, by reducing its consistency and leading to loss of performance, corrosion, and wear. On the other hand, calcium sulfonate complex greases can absorb water without losing their key properties. Conventional calcium sulfonate complex greases immediately absorb a high amount of water along with a lot of dirt, which negatively impacts efficient performance. With a unique balance of water resistance and water absorption capacity, this is where BECHEM Complex CM 21 fits in. The newly developed BECHEM Complex CM 21 initially repels water better than customary standard lithium greases. It truly shines when conditions require higher performance, as it absorbs more water than any other grease used for this purpose.
A lubricant for the most demanding conditions
BECHEM Complex CM 21 is well-suited for applications with high exposure to water where other lubricants reach their limits:
- In hot and cold rolling mills where work roller bearings are subjected to high temperatures and moisture
- In continuous casting plants where guide roller bearings are continuously subjected to stress from spray water
- In cement industry and mining crushers where pressure, contamination, and moisture collectively pose a threat
- In central lubrication systems in mining requiring dependable lubrication for heavy machinery
- In heavy machinery used in the construction industry where harsh conditions are a daily reality
Questions? Your BECHEM expert:
Tim-Oliver Mattern
Global Market Manager Steel
The secret behind BECHEM Complex CM 21
This lubricating grease combines the best properties in its class. It offers very good corrosion protection, even against aggressive salt and process water. In addition, it provides excellent wear protection, even under extreme pressure, and adheres very well to steel, thereby delivering lubrication over the long run. Its excellent water resistance ensures reliable protection despite continuous exposure to moisture. And what’s more, it excels with its outstanding shear stability, meaning it is able to maintain its performance consistently over time.
The bottom line is a new era for wet bearing environments: BECHEM Complex CM 21 isn’t any old lubricating grease. It is a game changer for industries where water pollution has traditionally posed the greatest challenge. The lubrication’s unique behavior toward moisture allows it to remain stable and reliable even under the toughest conditions. More protection and performance, less downtime—engineered for the future of roller bearing technology! Water-intensive environments in the steel industry frequently cause issues during the lubrication of roller bearings and cause corrosion. The BECHEM Water Absorption Test shows how different lubricating greases behave when there is water present: Some absorb the water and re-release it, while others continuously absorb it. How does water-absorbing lubricating grease perform? The BECHEM Water Absorption Test provides the answers: