28/12/2020
So here's a post for all our cyclist followers, it's about chain lubricants.
To understand chain l***s one has to understand the fundamental constituents of chain l**e. Wax is often used by manufacturers in emulsion form (usually water) as it leaves a dry to touch and non-stick layer. This is an important aspect as "drier" lubricants resist the tenancy to attract unwanted dust and contaminants that form an abrasive and destructive "grinding paste." Unfortunately, however, a simple wax emulsion alone isn't nearly adequate in reducing wear on modern bicycle and motorcycle chain drives.
To back up this claim one has to understand 2 basic lubrication fundamentals namely, hydrodynamic lubrication and boundary lubrication applications.
- Hydrodynamic Lubrication or fluid film lubrication is the state of lubrication where a "liquid wedge" is created between 2 opposing surfaces and is the most effective state of lubrication. This "liquid wedge" is formed purely by the presence of speed, much like the water surface beneath the skies of a water skier. When stationary a skier sinks but as speed increases, the surface of the water is able to support his weight. As a bicycle or motorcycle chain doesn't move, other than around sprockets, it isn't able to form this "liquid wedge." It's for this reason alone that a wax emulsion chain lubricant offers very little wear resistance on chains. The wax-based liquid is squeezed out of the chain contact points, as load increases, and allows opposing surfaces to grind against each other resulting in wear.
- Under Boundary Lubrication conditions, such as chains, lubrication engineers, known as Tribologists, use oils and wax emulsions only as carriers of complex additive chemistry (EP=Extreme pressure additives), wetting agents and corrosion inhibitors deep into chain pins. Further to these EP additives the addition of solid lubricants such as molybdenum disulphide (moly), graphite, ceramics, and graphene are used to create physical barriers between loaded contact points to prevent these surfaces from wearing.
Herschell Wet and Dry l***s use proprietary additive packs and solid lubricants and have laboratory proven wear claims.
Make sure you are using the best! Make sure you are using our Herschell l***s!