New lubricants meet green requirements

Klüberbio RM 2-150 is a non-toxic, readily biodegradable stern tube oil for FP and CP propellers. It was developed in close cooperation with Klüber’s sister companies SIMRIT and Merkel Freudenberg Fluidtechnik, both suppliers of shaft seals and profiled seals, which should ensure compatibility with all seal materials.

The company says that shipowners are demanding biodegradable oils for below-waterline application, because even very small losses of conventional mineral oils via the propeller shaft seals due to wear, accidents or operating errors can cause severe environmental damage. RM 2-150 is non-toxic to marine organisms (according to OECD 201, 202 and 203 tests) and its biodegradability is at least 60% according to the OECD 301 F test. The oil has been formulated for good viscosity-temperature behaviour that facilitates smooth start-up of propellers, even at very low temperatures, while forming a thick lubricating film for wear protection at higher temperatures. These features help permit a long service life, and the changeover from mineral oil-based stern tube oil should be simple thanks to RM2-150’s miscibility.

The second new introduction is Klüberbio EG 2-150, a biodegradable gear oil for use in thrusters and rudder propellers. This too is compatible with all seal materials, and is formulated with a high scuffing resistance for the taxing requirements of thruster operation. The biodegradability of Klüberbio EG 2-150 is at least 60% after 28 days (tested acc. to OECD 301 F), and it meets OECD 201, 202 and 203 test requirements for toxicity. A longer service life than mineral oils is claimed, owing to good stability towards ageing, oxidation and hydrolysis. Due to its favourable viscosity-temperature behaviour as well as high- and low-temperature characteristics, Klüberbio EG 2-150 can be used over a wider temperature range than conventional gear oils based on mineral oil.