Industrial oils aren't as intuitive as a car-oil grade. This explains ISO VG viscosity grades and how to pick the right hydraulic oil (anti-wear AW, high-VI HVI, ashless), EP industrial gear oil, screw compressor oil and slideway oil — by equipment. By Taiwan lubricant manufacturer ONEWAY, with an in-house R&D lab.
Industrial oils use ISO VG (Viscosity Grade); the number is the kinematic viscosity at 40°C (cSt) — higher is thicker. Common grades:
| ISO VG | Typical use |
|---|---|
| VG 32 | Low-temp/high-speed hydraulics, precision machines |
| VG 46 | Most universal: general hydraulics, injection machines |
| VG 68 | High-load hydraulics, light gears, slideways |
| VG 100–220 | Industrial gearboxes, heavy load |
| VG 320–460 | Heavy reducers, low-speed high-load gears |
| Equipment / use | Oil type | Viscosity | ONEWAY match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic systems / injection | Anti-wear hydraulic | VG 32/46/68 | AW Series |
| Wide-temp / outdoor hydraulics | High-VI hydraulic | HVLP VG 46 | HVI Series |
| Industrial reducers / gearboxes | EP industrial gear oil | VG 220/320 | Super Series |
| Screw / rotary compressors | Compressor oil | VG 46/68 | CS Series |
| Machine-tool slideways / guides | Slideway oil | VG 68/220 | VG Series |
Not freely. Too thin reduces film protection; too thick adds drag and heat. Follow the ISO VG specified by the equipment maker, and consider the ambient temperature.
No. Gear oil needs extreme-pressure (EP) additives to take tooth-face shock, while hydraulic oil prioritises anti-wear and oxidation control — different formulations, use each per its equipment.
It depends on running hours, temperature and oil grade; regular oil analysis is recommended to monitor degradation. Long-life synthetics greatly extend intervals. Follow the equipment manual and product TDS.
Yes. ONEWAY has an in-house R&D lab and OEM/ODM capability to blend industrial oils to spec and private-label them. See the OEM/ODM Guide.
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