What are the differences between No. 5 spindle oil and No. 2 spindle oil?
2 Answers
No. 2 spindle oil and No. 5 spindle oil correspond to Skalan No. 2 spindle oil and Skalan No. 5 spindle oil respectively: They are both industrial equipment lubricating oils, mainly serving the purposes of lubrication and cooling. The difference between them is that No. 2 has lower viscosity while No. 5 has higher viscosity, with no other essential differences. The lower the viscosity, the better the fluidity. Below is an extended introduction: Spindle oil: Spindle oil is a low-viscosity spindle bearing oil (commonly known as spindle oil). The new industry standard classifies spindle oil under bearing oils, which are anti-oxidation, anti-rust, and anti-wear oils. It is formulated using deeply refined base oils and multifunctional additives, providing excellent performance and ideal protection for equipment. This product is divided into grades 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, and 22 based on its kinematic viscosity at 40°C.
When it comes to the difference between spindle oil No. 5 and No. 2, I find that it mainly lies in the viscosity of the oil. No. 5 oil is thicker, resembling a thinner honey, while No. 2 oil is very thin, close to the consistency of water. This difference is due to their use in different machinery: No. 2 oil is suitable for high-speed rotating equipment, such as small motors or the spindles of precision machine tools, as it reduces friction and heat generation; No. 5 oil, on the other hand, is used for medium-speed applications, like ordinary factory machines or car differential bearings, providing better protection. If used incorrectly—for example, using No. 5 oil in a high-speed machine—the increased friction could damage parts; conversely, using No. 2 oil in a low-speed environment would result in insufficient protection due to its thinness, accelerating wear. When selecting oil, always refer to the equipment manual to ensure it matches the speed and load, putting safety first.
