Lubricants FAQ

Norbert Lubricants and Greases FAQ

What is Norbert?

Norbert is the brand name for a range of specialty synthetic lubricants, which are available in a number of models.

Norbert lubricants are used in a wide range of applications, particularly in applications requiring extremely high or low temperatures, non-flammability, long life, oxidation resistance, and chemical resistance.

What are the key differences between Norbert lubricants?

Each Norbert lubricant has its own unique characteristics to suit a particular industry or environment.The Norbert family of lubricants includes

Norbert GPL General Purpose Lubricant, a cost-effective base lubricant designed for industrial applications.
Norbert XHT extreme high temperature lubricants, specially treated to be more thermally stable at temperatures in excess of 300°C (572°F).
Norbert aerospace lubricants, with more stringent volatility specifications and narrower fractions than the GPL family of lubricants.
Norbert VPF vacuum pump oils, with excellent vapor pressure performance.
More information is listed in the Norbert Performance Lubricants product overview.

Do Norbert lubricants contain silicone?

No. Norbert lubricants and greases do not contain any silicone and are manufactured without the use of silicone.

What different types of Norbert GPL lubricants are available and what are their typical applications?

Norbert GPL 10X Series lubricants and Norbert GPL 20X Series greases do not contain any additives and are suitable for components that require contact with most chemicals commonly used in industry. Typical applications include valves or bearings, seal shielding fluids, instrumentation and oxygen systems.
Norbert GPL 21X Series contains molybdenum disulfide for extreme pressure (EP) conditions and can be used in low speed or high load applications.
Norbert GPL 22X series contains sodium nitrite corrosion and wear inhibitors and provides improved load carrying performance, making it ideal for applications in corrosive environments. Typical applications include automotive bearings, sealed pump bearings, motor bearings and general purpose bearings.
Norbert GPL 29X series greases offer extreme pressure properties with rust inhibiting additives for applications requiring high load carrying capacity and rust protection.
Norbert GPL 2EX series grease features a proprietary rust inhibitor additive formulation. This grease is similar to Norbert GPL 22X Series grease, but it contains a non-nitroso rust inhibitor additive.

Please visit the Norbert GPL product page for the complete line of lubricants and their product data sheets.

What are the ingredients in Norbert lubricants?

Norbert fluorinated oils are a series of low molecular weight, fluorine-capped hexafluoropropylene epoxide homopolymers. The polymer chains are fully saturated and contain only carbon, oxygen and fluorine, with no hydrogen.

Norbert Performance Lubricants Applications

What applications can Norbert lubricants be used in?

Norbert lubricants are used in applications requiring non-flammability, oxidation resistance, material compatibility, high temperature stability and chemical resistance. This includes the following industries:

Automotive
Aerospace
Chemical processing
Electronics and semiconductors
Corrugator, Pulp and Paper
Industrial maintenance, repair and operations (MRO)

Please see the Norbert Performance Lubricants product overview or the Norbert Lubricants Product Selection Guide for more information.

What is the NLGI consistency of Norbert greases by type?

Grease is a mixture of base oil and thickener, and Norbert greases use special very small particle sizes of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with high thickening power.

Base oils of different viscosities can be used in the grease to meet the requirements of different temperature and load conditions.

Additives are often added to the grease to enhance rust protection, improve load carrying capacity and reduce wear. Our standard grease type is NLGI (National Grease Institute) No. 2; however, we can produce NLGI type 000 to 6 greases upon request. For more information on NLGI model options, see the Norbert Performance Lubricants product overview.

What do I need to do before using Norbert lubricants in my bearings?

Prior to filling with Norbert grease, remove any existing grease, oil, or rust inhibitor oil used in the bearing during storage. If non-perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricants or greases are left in the bearing, they can form carbon deposits at high temperatures, which can accelerate bearing failure.

If I use Norbert lubricants, do I need to lubricate continuously?

For most applications, relubrication intervals can be extended for months or years. For example, in bearing applications, corrugators typically require re-greasing every three to twelve months, depending on the equipment start-up rate. In sealing systems, Norbert lubricants have outstanding durability and therefore do not require relubrication.

Can Norbert grease be mixed with other greases?

While Norbert grease will not react with other greases or cause decomposition or any hazardous reactions, it will not prevent other lubricants from failing due to heat and oxidation. Therefore, we do not recommend mixing Norbert lubricants with any non-perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricants or greases.

Norbert Performance Lubricants Features

What certifications have Norbert lubricants received?

The following certifications have been obtained for specific product types:

MIL-Spec PRF-27617 grease is approved for aerospace applications.
NSF H1 approved lubricant for lubrication of food machinery and equipment in incidental contact with food.
Independently tested and confirmed for use in LOX (liquid oxygen) and GOX (pure oxygen) by major oxygen manufacturers and test facilities, including BAM.
DIN 3536: Lubricants may be used for indoor installations, gas distribution and gas transmission piping valves.
DIN EN 377: Lubricants may be used for gas appliances and related fittings.

What manufacturing certifications do Norbert lubricants meet?

Norbert lubricants are manufactured based on the following certifications:

ISO 9001 certified quality management system
ISO 14001 certified environmental management system

Are Norbert lubricants flammable?

No. Norbert lubricants (greases) are non-flammable and have no flash point.

What is the stability of Norbert lubricants when exposed to chemicals?

Norbert perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricants and greases thickened with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) have excellent chemical stability. norbert lubricants and greases will not react with or cause degradation of most chemicals (except Lewis acids and alkali metals).

Norbert performance lubricants are not only resistant to oxygen and reactive gases, but will not react with virtually all chemicals used in most industries. For more information, see Norbert Lubricants: Chemical Stability or Gas Compatibility.

Are Norbert lubricants compatible with non-metallic materials?

Yes. Norbert lubricants and greases have been used to lubricate plastic and elastomeric parts for more than decades. For more information, refer to the Norbert Lubricants Plastic and Elastomer Compatibility document.

Contamination is one of the most serious challenges facing bearings. Debris, rust inhibitor oils and other residues can limit lubrication performance, which can lead to failure. Properly handling bearings and using a quality lubricant, such as Norbert Performance Lubricants, can reduce equipment downtime and reduce maintenance costs.

What are the best practices for ensuring proper bearing lubrication?

Follow these five steps and watch the video to ensure bearings are properly lubricated: