Page 20 - Steel Metallurgy eMagazine Volume September 2026

STEEL MILL MAINTENANCE
REFRACTORY

systems can accelerate wear or lead to strip tracking issues. Instability within SELECTING THE
catastrophic failures that halt operations gearboxes and back-up bearings can
altogether. also affect speed consistency and gauge ‘RIGHT’ LUBRICANT
control, leading to thickness variation
IMPACT ON EQUIPMENT and reduced dimensional accuracy. For Although an important starting point,
PERFORMANCE this reason, lubrication should be viewed Original Equipment Manufacturer
not only as a maintenance activity, but as (OEM) specifications do not always
Lubrication also plays a critical role a key contributor to uptime, operational reflect actual operating conditions,
in equipment performance. Poor efficiency, and product quality. including temperature, load, speed, and
lubrication increases friction and
resistance, generating heat and reducing
mechanical efficiency. In gear systems,
this can result in inconsistent torque
transmission, forcing operators to reduce
speed or increase power consumption
to maintain output. Over time, wear-
induced clearances further reduce
efficiency and place additional stress on
equipment. While these losses may not
immediately stop production, they can
significantly impact throughput and
energy costs.

IMPACT ON PRODUCT QUALITY

Product quality is equally influenced
by lubrication condition. Insufficient
lubrication in bearings and rollers can
introduce vibration, contributing to Harsh operating conditions in steel mills place significant demands on lubrication systems. Effective
lubricant selection, contamination control, and condition monitoring help reduce OEE losses.
surface defects, chatter marks, and

contamination exposure.

Each lubricant selection decision links
directly to OEE, for example:
• Incorrect oil viscosity increases wear
and reduces availability
• Inadequate performance under
load or elevated temperatures reduces
efficiency
• Poor contamination resistance can
introduce instability and affect quality

The harsh environments of the steel mill
amplify these challenges. Roughing mill
gear systems may require high-viscosity
oils for load, but contamination or
temperature conditions may also demand
enhanced or synthetic formulations.
Similarly, lubricants used in circulating
Effective lubrication supports product quality by maintaining stable rolling conditions, helping systems must not only maintain film
reduce vibration-related defects such as chatter marks while improving strip tracking, gauge control, thickness but also manage water ingress
and surface finish. and assist in heat removal.

18 STEEL & METALLURGY SEPTEMBER 2026