Lubrication System Used Brush
A lubrication brush (chain oil brush or grease brush) applies oil or fluid grease to moving chains, sprockets, and open gears at the point of contact—either manually or as the terminal device on a centralized lubrication line. Brushes penetrate link plates and bushings better than spray alone when speed and contamination demand continuous wiping action.
IsoHiTech supplies flat, round, roller, and through-flow brush heads in nylon, PA6, polyester, brass, and stainless steel—threaded M8, M10, or NPT 1/8 for mounting on brush holders fed from progressive blocks, single-line injectors, or drip oilers.
Related: chain lubrication systems · brush product · accessories hub · lubrication pipe.
- Brush Head Parameters (Typical)
- Bristle Material Selection
- Brush Geometry
| Parameter | Range |
|---|---|
| Body material | Aluminum, polyester composite, stainless |
| Thread / mount | M8, M10, NPT 1/8 |
| Working temperature | -30°C to +95°C (standard); SS bristle to +160°C class |
| Width (flat) | 25–100 mm special widths on request |
| Feed | Through-flow internal channel or external drip to bristle face |
| Bristle | Temp / duty | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Nylon / synthetic | General; flexible | Packaging lines, moderate speed chains |
| PA6 | Cost-effective, good oil hold | General industrial conveyor chains |
| Stainless (VA) | High temp, hygienic | Food, bakery ovens, harsh washdown |
| Crimped / curled | Oil retention, cushioning | Even film on wide flat brushes |
| Brass | Conductive / legacy apps | Specific OEM replacements |
- Flat brush — inner rail contact; widths 25–100 mm
- Roller brush — continuous wrap on return strand; adjustable axle for light contact pressure
- Round brush — pinions, small drives, robotic joints
- Angled head — targets link plate/roller interface; reduces flick-off
- Through-flow — lubricant flows through the handle to the bristle root for a steady feed on auto systems
Polymer Brush
Nylon or PA6 flat/round heads for standard conveyor chains—pair with progressive outlet or injector line.
Rotate Brush
Roller type for return strand; maintains contact without excessive pressure that accelerates bristle wear.
Stainless Steel Brush
VA bristles for elevated temperature or food-adjacent environments; specify max temp and washdown chemicals.
More Application
Where Chain Brushes Sit in a Centralized System
Typical automatic chain lubrication layout:
- Pump — electric oil pump (2–4 kg reservoir) or grease pump for heavy chains
- Metering — SL1 injector, progressive block slice, or timed solenoid valve
- Supply line — 4–6 mm nylon to brush holder
- Brush holder + head — mounted on inner side of chain run before sprocket engagement
- Return / waste tray — optional drip collection in food plants
Brush stations work best where centrifugal force on high-speed outer strands would throw off spray mist—wiping action pushes lubricant into pin bores.
Brush vs Spray vs Manual Gun
| Method | Pros | Cons | When to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brush (auto fed) | Penetrates links; continuous; safe access | Bristle wear; needs alignment | Conveyors, moderate-high speed |
| Spray nozzle | Wide coverage; easy retrofit | Over-spray, mist loss | Open chain, large pitch |
| Manual gun | Low capex | Labor, inconsistency | Low-duty or backup |
Selection Worksheet (7 Steps)
- Chain type — pitch, roller diameter, speed (m/s), indoor/outdoor
- Lubricant — chain oil ISO VG 68–220 vs fluid NLGI #000–#1 grease
- Temperature — standard nylon to 95°C; SS bristle above 120°C continuous
- Feed rate — ml/cycle from OEM or trial; match injector or progressive slice
- Mounting — inner strand preferred; adjust angle for wear pattern on link plate
- Contact pressure — light touch; over-pressure wears bristles and heats chain
- Maintenance — inspect bristle length monthly; replace when contact band <70% width
Industry Applications
- Packaging & bottling — PA6 flat brush, food-grade chain oil, drip tray
- Automotive conveyors — through-flow brush on progressive circuit
- Bakery & food ovens — stainless roller brush, high-temp synthetic oil
- Forest products / pulp — heavy chain, grease brush station on dual-line feed
- Robotics & automation — small round through-flow on single-point injector
Installation Notes
- Mount brush before sprocket entry so lubricant carries into mesh
- Align bristle face parallel to chain run—skew causes uneven wear on one side
- Use flexible holder spring for thermal expansion on long conveyor frames
- On through-flow brushes, verify internal channel is not blocked after first fill with adhesive grease
- Label brush station ID matching progressive outlet number for troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Dry chain despite pump running | Blocked feed, wrong injector dose | Verify ml/cyc; clean through-flow channel |
| Excess oil on floor | Over-dose, mis-aimed brush | Reduce cycle; adjust angle; add drip tray |
| rapid bristle wear | Excessive contact force | Lighten spring; use roller type |
| Contamination buildup in bristles | D dusty environment | Scheduled brush replacement; shield station |
| High-temp bristle melt | Wrong material | Switch to SS; confirm oil flash point |
Cost & Lifecycle
Brush heads are low capital cost vs full auto systems but bristles are consumables. Automated feed reduces labor vs manual oil can—typical PM is bristle replacement and holder inspection every 3–6 months in dusty plants (adjust to your environment). Pairing brushes with centralized metering cuts over-lubrication waste compared with manual flood application.
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Before you buy: read our grease fitting types guide.
Applying oil or fluid grease to chains, gears, and moving surfaces—manually or as the end device on automatic lubrication lines.
Often called an oil brush, chain brush, or chain lubrication brush.
Yes—through-flow and holder-mounted brushes connect to progressive outlets, injectors, or solenoid-fed lines for timed delivery.
Nylon/PA6 for general industrial chains up to ~95°C. Stainless for high temperature, abrasive, or food-adjacent duty.
On the inner strand before sprocket engagement so lubricant enters the pin/bushing interface.
Depends on bristle material and contact design—nylon suits many conveyors to several m/s; validate with trial and check for flick-off.
Inspect monthly in dusty plants; replace when bristle contact band is worn or contaminated beyond cleaning—often every 3–6 months.
Flat for inner rail wipe; roller for continuous contact on return strand without high point pressure.
Yes—use soft NLGI #000–#1 or chain fluid grease; ensure through-flow channel size matches viscosity at ambient temperature.
Yes—M8, M10, NPT 1/8, and custom flat widths (e.g. 25–100 mm). Send chain pitch and photo of existing holder for cross-reference.