Mobilith SHC™ 460 synthetic grease helps steel maker capture substantial savings by extending thrust bearing life*

Thrust bearings

Steel manufacturing plant

Indiana, United States

Situation

An Indiana-based steel manufacturer used oil mist to lubricate the backup work roll bearings on its five-stand cold mill. While this type of lubrication worked well on its axial bearings, the mill was experiencing an average of four thrust bearing failures each year. After facing average repair costs of US $45,000 per bearing failure, the company approached ExxonMobil for an alternative lubricant solution capable of mitigating equipment failure and reducing maintenance costs.

Recommendation

ExxonMobil engineers recommended the company switch to Mobilith SHC™ 460 high-performance synthetic grease. Formulated with an advanced lithium complex thickener and high viscosity base fluids, Mobilith SHC 460 operates under a wide range of temperatures and protects bearings against rust and corrosion.

Result

After one year of using Mobilith SHC 460 synthetic grease, the company reported no lubrication-related failures of its thrust bearings. Additionally, ExxonMobil engineers inspected and confirmed that the thrust bearings and in-service grease were both in excellent condition, supporting the expectation that long-term bearing failures will be reduced to one per year. The company reports that switching to Mobilith SHC 460 helped generate significant savings in plant productivity, equipment and maintenance costs.

*This success story is based on the experience of a single customer. Actual results can vary depending upon the type of equipment used and its maintenance, operating conditions and environment, and any prior lubricant used.