How to lubricate a butterfly valve? Which greases to use?

Valves are devices used to stop or modify the flow of a liquid, gaseous, powdered or multiphase fluid, in a free environment (channel) or in a closed environment (pipeline).

These elements can be found in most industrial activities that require the transport or conveying of fluids or gases.

For example: Water treatment, Energy, Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Food, Cement, Steel…

Each of these industrial sectors evolves in very different normative environments. As a result, the certifications of valves and taps are diverse (Oxygen: BAM, Drinking water: ACS, NSF, …). This is why we have selected, in partnership with our historical manufacturers, a range of products that meet the types of valves, applications and standards required by these markets. These products are adapted to the manufacture and installation of valves on the various networks.

Examples of standards in fittings:

APPLICATION REGULATIONS, STANDARDS, CERTIFICATIONS ORGANISME COMMENTS
Drinking water network and sanitary fittings French Sanitary Conformity Attestation French drinking water qualification. Valid for 5 years.
Water Regulation Advisory Scheme (UK) English drinking water qualification valid for 5 years
National Sanitation Foundation NSF-61 : drinking water
Food and beverage industry Food and Drug Administration, USA The FDA draws up so-called positive lists of chemical substances that may be used in lubricants classified according to USDA H1. The rules according to 21 CFR 178.3570 are the basis for the permitted components and recipes of lubricants.
National Sanitation Foundation NSF-H1 : Food grade lubricant – Allows incidental contact with food NSF-51: Applicable to piping, all types of seals, gaskets, valves and other components for many food contact applications.
Obturators in gas installations and control valves Deutscher Verein des Gas und Wasserfaches Concerns lubricants that are used in the fittings of domestic gas installations, in the piping, in the transport of gas as well as for the fittings of household appliances supplied with gas.
Oxygen Bundesanstalt für Materialprüfung Lubricant and seal tests for oxygen valves (maximum pressure and admissible temperature are retained)
Nuclear power plant PMUC Usable Products and Materials Products and materials for use in the plant Product complying with the technical agreement relating to the approval issued by the EDF / UTO / SIL, for the supply of products and materials for use in power plants.

Which lubricants to use for the assembly / manufacture of a butterfly valve

Oil

References Applications types Registrations Features
Molykote® SEPARATOR Installation of elastomeric seals on shaft and axle – Installation of butterfly disc Silicone oil • NSF H1

Greases

Molykote® Longterm W2 Lubrication of the operating rod Metal/metal lubrication in slow to fast movement under moderate load Mineral oil, lithium thickener, solid lubricants – From -30 to +110°C (130°C for a short period) – White – Excellent adhesion – Good protection against corrosion
Molykote® 1102 Lubrication of: Metal, glass or plastic combination gas valves -Mainline natural gas shut-off valves Mineral oil, inorganic thickener, solid lubricants – From 0 to +160 °C (short time +220 °C) – Black – Very water resistant – Resistant to oxidation – Resistant to diluted acids and bases – DVGW Gas
Molykote® HP300 Lubrication of the operating shaft in the presence of foodstuffs or drinking water and in extreme conditions – Cable gland with braided packing PFPE oil – PTFE thickener – From -65 to +250°C (to + 280°C for short periods) – White – High load capacity – Long life lubrication – Water and chemical resistance – NSF H1
Molykote® G-5511 Actuator lubrication, ceramic discs for water valves and cartridges

-40 to +200°C / Silicone / PTFE / White / FDA / KTW / ACS / NSF 51 / NSF 61 / DVGW Gas / White
Molykote® 111 O-rings and sealing rings – Rubber and plastic gaskets – Valve sealing – Obturators – Lubrication and sealing of static seals (other than silicone) for pressure and vacuum systems, equipment subjected to marine environments, intense washing, hot or cold water, steam…) – Gases (other than Oxygen) – Chemical barrier – Seal assembly aid

Silicone oil, Inorganic thickener – From -40 to +200°C – Translucent white – Constitutes a chemical barrier – Very adherent – NSF 51 (food) and 61 (drinking water) – ACS -WRAS – PMUC (PMUC tube number: 08046 / 19-061)
Voltalef® 90 Greases for valves and fittings used with chemicals, valves and fittings on nuclear site 0 to + 170°C / PCTFE grease for oxygen contact BAM approved – Air Liquide certified / Silica / Evaporation at 100°C = 2,2% after 120 H
Voltalef® 901 Greases for valves and fittings used with chemicals, valves and fittings on nuclear site 0 to + 170°C / PCTFE grease for oxygen contact BAM approved / Fluorinated polymer / Evaporation at 100°C = 2,2% after 120 H
Krytox® GPL 226 Used to lubricate seals, o-rings in the presence of gases (oxygen type), aggressive products

-36 to 260°C / Load: 3330 N / DN:400 000 / High temperature grease / NSF-H1/ BAM / Air Liquide / Base oil at 40°C = 220 Cst / NLGI 2

Pastes

Molykote® P-1900 Screws – Flanges – Threaded operating rod – Operating nut – Connecting flanges – INOX/INOX screwed assemblies – Screwed assemblies requiring a food grade lubricant – Lubrication of mechanical components of food industry equipment Mineral oil – Complex aluminium thickener – Solid lubricants – White – From -30 to +300°C – High loads – Low to medium speed – Low friction coefficient – Good water resistance – NSF H1
Molykote® P-37 Threaded operating rod – Operating nut – Connecting flange – Flange seals – Metal screws – Cable gland designed with graphite rings (high temperature 500°C) – Assembly and adjustment of mechanical elements – Splined shafts – Press-fit assemblies – Flanges Semi-synthetic oil – Thickener – Solid lubricants (polarized graphite) – Extremely pure – Black – From -40 to +1400°C – High load capacity – Low dispersion of clamping force – Allows non-destructive loosening of bolted assemblies even after prolonged use at high temperature – PMUC (PMUC box number : 04-034)

More info :

Needs information about the brand of industrial lubricants Molykote®? Contact our technical service by phone to +33 426 680 680 or fill our Contact form.

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