Detailed explanation of the lubrication frequency recommendation for roller chain 12A

Detailed explanation of the lubrication frequency recommendation for roller chain 12A

As a common transmission element, roller chain 12A plays a key role in many mechanical equipment. Its lubrication condition is directly related to the life, efficiency and reliability of the roller chain. This article will comprehensively and in-depth explore the lubrication frequency recommendation for roller chain 12A to help equipment maintenance personnel and related practitioners better understand and implement lubrication work.

1. Basic characteristics of roller chain 12A
Roller chain 12A is a standard roller chain with a pitch of 12.7mm. It is usually composed of rollers, sleeves, pins, inner chain plates and outer chain plates. When the roller chain is working, the rollers mesh with the sprocket teeth, and the power is transmitted through the rolling of the rollers, while the rollers and sleeves, and the sleeves and pins are mainly sliding friction. This form of friction makes lubrication particularly important during the operation of the roller chain.

2. The importance of lubrication to roller chain 12A
Reducing wear: Lubricants can form an oil film on the surface of each friction pair of the roller chain, isolating direct contact between metals, significantly reducing the wear rate of components such as rollers and sleeves, sleeves and pins, thereby extending the service life of the roller chain.
Reducing friction resistance: Good lubrication can reduce the friction coefficient of the roller chain during movement, reduce energy loss, improve transmission efficiency, and thus reduce the operating cost and energy consumption of the equipment.
Preventing rust: Lubricants can cover the metal surface of the roller chain, prevent corrosive media such as moisture and oxygen from contacting the metal, prevent the roller chain from rusting, and ensure its normal use in harsh environments such as humidity.
Heat dissipation: Under high-speed and heavy-load conditions, lubricants can also take away some of the heat generated during the operation of the roller chain, play a certain cooling role, and prevent the roller chain from being damaged due to overheating.

3. Factors affecting the lubrication frequency of roller chain 12A
Working environment: In harsh working environments, such as places with high temperature, humidity, dust, corrosive gases, etc., lubricants are more likely to deteriorate, fail or be contaminated, so more frequent lubrication is required. For example, in outdoor conveying equipment, roller chain 12A may be exposed to wind and rain for a long time, and its lubrication frequency needs to be appropriately increased.
Workload: When roller chain 12A is subjected to a large workload, the pressure between its friction pairs increases, wear intensifies, and lubricant consumption is faster, so lubricants need to be replenished more promptly. For light load conditions, the lubrication frequency can be relatively low.
Running speed: Under high-speed operation, the friction heat of the roller chain is more obvious, and the performance of the lubricant decreases faster. At the same time, due to the effect of centrifugal force, the lubricant is more likely to be thrown out of the friction surface, which requires an increase in the lubrication frequency to ensure that the lubricant can continue to play a role. When running at low speed, the lubrication interval can be appropriately extended.
Lubrication method: Different lubrication methods have different requirements for lubrication frequency. For example, when using an oil pot or oil brush for manual periodic lubrication, it is usually necessary to determine the lubrication frequency based on the equipment’s operating time or working hours; while for automatic or continuous lubrication methods such as drip lubrication, oil bath lubrication, and splash lubrication, the lubricant supply is relatively stable, and the lubricant supply and replacement cycle can be adjusted according to actual conditions. The setting of the lubrication frequency is relatively complex, and it is necessary to comprehensively consider the equipment’s operating parameters and the performance of the lubrication system.

4. Lubrication frequency recommendations for roller chain 12A
General recommendations: Under normal working conditions, for low-speed roller chain 12A, it is usually recommended to lubricate at least once a week; and when the roller chain runs at a moderate speed and the working environment is relatively good, lubrication every 8 hours or so is a more reasonable choice.
Frequency recommendations for different lubrication methods:
Manual periodic lubrication: If lubrication is performed using an oil pot or oil brush, for continuously running equipment, use a brush or spray nozzle to fully lubricate at least once every 8 hours; for intermittently running equipment, lubrication can be performed before or after each start-up. In some occasions where lubrication requirements are not high, the lubrication interval can also be appropriately extended according to the actual situation of the equipment, but the longest should not exceed one week.
Oil drip lubrication: The lubricating oil is continuously dripped on the upper edge or side plate of the chain plate through the oil drip lubricator. The amount and frequency of oil should be sufficient to prevent the lubricating oil in the link from turning reddish brown. Usually the drip rate of lubricating oil is 4 to 20 drops per minute (or more), and the specific drip rate can be adjusted according to the speed, load and other factors of the roller chain. For high-speed roller chains, the oil drip frequency should be appropriately increased.
Oil bath lubrication: The lower part of the roller chain is immersed in the lubricating oil, and the oil level should reach the chain spacing line at the lowest point of the chain. Under normal working conditions, the lubricating oil of oil bath lubrication should be checked and replaced regularly, generally every 3 months to half a year. If the equipment has been running for a long time or the working environment is harsh, the replacement cycle should be shortened.
Splash lubrication: The lubricating oil is splashed onto the roller chain using an oil thrower. The lubrication frequency mainly depends on the speed and oil volume of the oil thrower. When the equipment is operating normally, as long as the oil volume is sufficient and the oil pan can work normally, the roller chain can be continuously lubricated. However, in order to ensure the lubrication effect, it is still necessary to regularly check the condition of the lubricating oil and the amount of oil to be replenished, generally at least once a month.
Forced oil pump lubrication: The circulating pump provides continuous oil flow for lubrication of the chain drive. This lubrication method can ensure that the roller chain is fully lubricated under harsh working conditions such as high speed and heavy load. When the lubrication system is operating normally, it is only necessary to regularly maintain and inspect the lubrication system, such as checking the working status of the oil pump and the patency of the oil pipe once a quarter, and replenish or replace the lubricating oil in time according to the use of the lubricating oil.
Frequency recommendations under special working conditions: In high temperature environments, lubricants are prone to become thin or volatilize, and the lubrication frequency should be appropriately increased. Special lubricants such as high-temperature grease can be considered, and relubrication should be performed every 1 to 2 days. In a humid environment, in order to prevent moisture from entering the roller chain and causing rust, in addition to increasing the lubrication frequency, a lubricant with rust-proof properties should also be selected. Each lubrication should ensure that the lubricant can fully cover all parts of the roller chain. In dusty places, dust is easily mixed into the lubricant, accelerating the wear of the roller chain. Therefore, the roller chain needs to be cleaned and lubricated frequently, generally at least once a week, and the lubricant should be replenished in time after cleaning.

5. Lubrication method and precautions
Lubrication method:
Oil can or oil brush lubrication: Aim the oil can or oil brush at the loose side of the roller chain chain pin and the gap between the inner chain links to add oil so that the lubricating oil can penetrate into the various friction parts of the roller chain.
Drip oil lubrication: Equipped with a simple shell, the oil cup oil pipe is used to drip oil downward. For a single-row roller chain, 5-20 drops of oil are supplied per minute. At high speed, the number of drip oil should be appropriately increased.
Oil bath lubrication: Use an oil-proof shell to allow the chain to pass through the oil tank. The distance h from the oil surface to the bottom of the roller chain cannot be too deep. If the chain is immersed too deeply in the oil surface, it is easy to heat up and deteriorate when the oil temperature reaches above 80℃. The oil immersion depth h of the roller chain is generally 6-12mm.
Splash lubrication: Use an oil-proof shell, install an oil-slinging plate inside the shell, and use a splash lubrication method. The circumferential speed of the oil-slinging plate must be set above 200m/min. When the chain width is greater than 125mm, an oil-slinging plate must be installed on both sides. The oil immersion depth h of the oil-slinging plate is 12-25mm, and the roller chain cannot be immersed in the oil.
Forced oil pump lubrication: Use an oil-proof shell, and the oil pump drives the oil circulation to play a cooling role while forcing oil to be added. For n-row chains, the oil filling holes must be set to n + 1 rows to ensure full lubrication.
Notes:
Choose the right lubricant: Choose the right lubricant brand and type according to the working conditions of the roller chain 12A, such as temperature, speed, load, etc. For example, a lubricant with a lower viscosity, such as SAE10W, should be selected in a low temperature environment; while a lubricant with a higher viscosity, such as SAE40 or SAE50, can be selected under high temperature and heavy load conditions.
Ensure the accuracy of lubrication parts: When refueling, ensure that the lubricating oil can be accurately injected into the friction parts between the loose side of the roller chain and the outer chain plate and the inner chain plate, as well as the gap between the sleeve and the roller, to avoid lubricating oil waste and insufficient lubrication.
Prevent over-lubrication: Although lubrication is important, over-lubrication can also bring some problems, such as increasing lubricating oil consumption, generating heat to cause lubricating oil deterioration, and polluting the working environment. Therefore, the amount of oil should be controlled during the lubrication process, and the principle of proper lubrication should be followed.
Regular inspection and maintenance: Regardless of the lubrication method used, the lubrication condition of the roller chain should be checked regularly, and the surface of the chain pin and sleeve should be observed for wear, discoloration, oil stains, etc., and problems in the lubrication system should be discovered and solved in time, such as oil pipe blockage, oil pump failure, low oil level, etc., to ensure the normal operation of the lubrication system.

6. Judgment and countermeasures of insufficient lubrication
In actual use, if insufficient lubrication occurs, the roller chain 12A will have some obvious characteristics, such as threaded friction marks on the surface of the chain pin and sleeve, or the surface is red or dark brown. When these situations are found, the following countermeasures should be taken immediately: First, stop the equipment, conduct a comprehensive inspection of the roller chain, remove surface dirt and debris caused by wear; second, add or replace sufficient lubricating oil, and re-lubricate according to the correct lubrication method; finally, after the equipment is restarted, closely observe the operating status of the roller chain, such as whether there is abnormal noise, vibration, etc., to ensure that the lubrication problem is effectively solved.

7. Principles of lubricant selection
Base oil type: Mineral oil-based lubricants have good lubrication performance and economy, and are suitable for general working conditions; synthetic oil-based lubricants have a wider temperature range, better oxidation resistance and wear resistance, and are suitable for high temperature, high speed, heavy load and other harsh working conditions.
Viscosity: At operating temperature, the viscosity of the roller chain movement needs to be controlled at 20-40mm²/s. Too low viscosity may result in insufficient oil film strength and cannot effectively isolate the friction of the metal surface; too high viscosity will increase the resistance of the lubricating oil and reduce the transmission efficiency. Therefore, the lubricant with appropriate viscosity should be selected according to factors such as the operating temperature and speed of the roller chain. For example, in low temperature environment, low viscosity lubricant can be selected; while in high temperature and high speed conditions, high viscosity lubricant or grease should be selected.
Additives: Lubricants containing anti-wear additives can effectively reduce the wear of roller chains under boundary friction conditions; antioxidant additives can extend the service life of lubricants and prevent lubricants from premature deterioration; anti-rust additives can prevent roller chains from rusting in humid environments. According to the specific working environment and requirements of the roller chain, it is very necessary to select lubricants containing corresponding additives.

8. Practical application case analysis
Case 1: The conveying equipment of a factory uses roller chain 12A as the transmission chain. The working environment is relatively dry, the temperature is moderate, and the operating speed is low. The factory adopts the method of manual regular lubrication, lubricating the roller chain once a week, using L-AN68 lubricant. After long-term use observation, the wear of the roller chain is good and the service life meets the expected requirements. This shows that under appropriate working conditions, reasonable lubrication frequency and lubricant selection can effectively guarantee the normal operation of roller chain 12A.
Case 2: On the production line of an automobile manufacturing company, roller chain 12A is used to drive some high-speed equipment parts. The working environment is relatively complex, with certain oil and dust. In order to meet the lubrication needs, the company adopted a forced oil pump lubrication system. The lubricant is a high-performance synthetic lubricant. The lubrication frequency is automatically controlled by the system, and the oil supply is adjusted in real time according to the operating parameters of the equipment. In this way, the lubrication effect of roller chain 12A in high-speed and polluted environments is effectively guaranteed, equipment failures caused by poor lubrication are reduced, and the reliability and production efficiency of production equipment are improved.

9. Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: How to judge whether roller chain 12A needs lubrication?
Answer: In addition to judging by observing the oil film condition on the surface of the roller chain, the wear marks of the chain pins and sleeves, etc., the lubrication condition can also be inferred based on the operating status of the equipment, such as whether there is abnormal noise, increased vibration, etc. Generally speaking, when the roller chain emits a harsh friction sound or irregular vibration during operation, it may indicate insufficient lubrication. In addition, you can also refer to the operating time or working hours of the equipment and lubricate according to the pre-established lubrication plan.
Question 2: Can different brands of lubricants be mixed?
Answer: Different brands of lubricants may differ in base oil, additives, etc. Mixing may cause the performance of the lubricant to deteriorate, precipitation, stratification, etc., affecting the lubrication effect. Therefore, try to avoid mixing different brands of lubricants. If the lubricant brand must be changed, the old lubricant in the roller chain and lubrication system should be thoroughly cleaned before the change to ensure the normal use of the new lubricant.
Question 3: Is it necessary to use different lubricants for roller chain 12A in winter and summer?
Answer: Yes. Since temperature has a greater impact on the viscosity of the lubricant, the temperature is low in winter, the viscosity of the lubricant will increase, the fluidity will deteriorate, and it may not be supplied to the various friction parts of the roller chain in time. Therefore, in winter, lubricants with low viscosity and good low-temperature performance, such as SAE10W or L-AN46 lubricants, should be selected; in summer, in order to avoid the loss of lubricants due to low viscosity or the inability to form an effective oil film, lubricants with higher viscosity, such as SAE30 or L-AN100 lubricants, should be selected to adapt to different ambient temperature changes and ensure the lubrication effect of roller chain 12A.

In summary, the lubrication frequency of roller chain 12A should be comprehensively considered and reasonably determined based on various factors such as its working environment, workload, running speed and lubrication method. Through scientific lubrication management and correct lubrication methods, the wear of roller chain 12A can be effectively reduced, its service life can be extended, and the stable operation of equipment and the improvement of production efficiency can be guaranteed. In actual applications, a detailed lubrication plan should be formulated according to the specific situation and strictly implemented according to the plan. At the same time, the daily maintenance and inspection of the equipment should be strengthened to promptly discover and solve problems that arise during the lubrication process to ensure that roller chain 12A is always in a good lubrication state.