Quaker Chemical Develops Fire-Resistant Grease for Hot Mills
10/21/2014 - Quaker Chemical has developed a fire-resistant grease to be used on the roller bearings in hot mills to reduce the amount of slag fires.
Steel mill profitability is adversely impacted in scenarios resulting in rising production costs and inefficiencies leading to productivity losses. In the hot rolling process, risk management is essential for improving worker safety and reducing interruptions in production. If a fire occurs on the mill, the operation runs the risk of capital and production loss, increased operator health and safety risks, and damage to customer relationships resulting in a loss in trust and supply reliability.
In the hot mill at one major North American steel producer, slag was falling off the 2,300°F steel bars exiting its hot strip walk beam furnaces and causing excess grease on the bearings to catch on fire. The steel producer, who was always looking for ways to improve their operations and employee safety, contacted Quaker Chemical to develop a fire-resistant grease that could be used on the roller bearings to reduce the amount of slag fires.
Quaker first leveraged its technology originally developed for a mining application and proposed QUINTOPLEX™ LX 1 EP grease for use on the hot mill. Before introducing QUINTOPLEX™ into their operation, the steel producer challenged the fire resistant properties of the grease by exposing it to open flames and extremely hot metals. QUINTOPLEX™ passed all of the tests that were performed resulting in its introduction into the hot mill lubrication system.
Since running their system with the fire resistant grease, the mill has realized the following benefits:
» 90% reduction in fires
» Removal of the continuous water supply
» Reduced corrosion on the roller bearings
“Quaker offered a technology that not only improved the steel producer’s operation, but also their workers’ safety. By adding this fire-resistant product to our grease product line, Quaker is able to provide a solution to a previously unmet market need,” states Mark Goedtel Quaker Chemical grease product manager, North America.
Quaker Chemical Corporation is a leading global provider of process fluids, chemical specialties, and technical expertise to a wide range of industries, including steel, aluminum, automotive, mining, aerospace, tube and pipe, cans, and others. For nearly 100 years, Quaker has helped customers around the world achieve production efficiency, improve product quality, and lower costs through a combination of innovative technology, process knowledge, and customized services. Headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, USA, Quaker serves businesses worldwide with a network of dedicated and experienced professionals whose mission is to make a difference.
In the hot mill at one major North American steel producer, slag was falling off the 2,300°F steel bars exiting its hot strip walk beam furnaces and causing excess grease on the bearings to catch on fire. The steel producer, who was always looking for ways to improve their operations and employee safety, contacted Quaker Chemical to develop a fire-resistant grease that could be used on the roller bearings to reduce the amount of slag fires.
Quaker first leveraged its technology originally developed for a mining application and proposed QUINTOPLEX™ LX 1 EP grease for use on the hot mill. Before introducing QUINTOPLEX™ into their operation, the steel producer challenged the fire resistant properties of the grease by exposing it to open flames and extremely hot metals. QUINTOPLEX™ passed all of the tests that were performed resulting in its introduction into the hot mill lubrication system.
Since running their system with the fire resistant grease, the mill has realized the following benefits:
» 90% reduction in fires
» Removal of the continuous water supply
» Reduced corrosion on the roller bearings
“Quaker offered a technology that not only improved the steel producer’s operation, but also their workers’ safety. By adding this fire-resistant product to our grease product line, Quaker is able to provide a solution to a previously unmet market need,” states Mark Goedtel Quaker Chemical grease product manager, North America.
Quaker Chemical Corporation is a leading global provider of process fluids, chemical specialties, and technical expertise to a wide range of industries, including steel, aluminum, automotive, mining, aerospace, tube and pipe, cans, and others. For nearly 100 years, Quaker has helped customers around the world achieve production efficiency, improve product quality, and lower costs through a combination of innovative technology, process knowledge, and customized services. Headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, USA, Quaker serves businesses worldwide with a network of dedicated and experienced professionals whose mission is to make a difference.
