Inside ROCOL: The Science Behind Their Lubricants

ROCOL lubricants have earned a reputation for technical excellence across a range of sectors, including demanding ones such as aerospace and food production. Some of their key products include food-grade lubricants, heavy-duty greases, anti-seize compounds and cutting fluids. But what really goes into their formulas, and why do they stand out? In this post, we’ll dive into the science behind ROCOL’s product range and explore how they’re engineered to perform under the toughest conditions.

About ROCOL

Founded in 1878 and now part of ITW (a Fortune 150 firm), ROCOL is based in Swillington, Leeds. They hold ISO 21469 certification, which is considered the gold standard for food‑grade lubricants. They are also the first lubricant manufacturer certified PFAS‑free under NSF 537, meaning their FOODLUBE range is free from persistent “forever chemicals” (man-made chemicals that don’t decompose within the environment).

Core Performance Technologies

At the heart of ROCOL lubricants is a blend of cutting‑edge additive and thickening technologies, designed to provide outstanding durability, safety and efficiency:

Calcium Sulphonate Grease

• SAPPHIRE Dynamic is built on calcium sulphonate complex. This gives the grease extreme pressure resistance and load carrying capabilities, thermal stability up to around 180 °C (with intermittent peaks to around 200 °C), and remarkable water‑wash protection.
• SAPPHIRE Dynamic greases leave a stable, slippery film even in wet or high‑temp conditions, preventing wear and corrosion.

  Graphite and Molybdenum Disulphide

• Heavy-duty, aerospace-grade greases like AEROSPEC incorporate graphite or molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂) to withstand shock loads and very low friction. This allows them to keep tools moving smoothly under pressure and in extreme conditions.

  PFAS-Free Formulation

• The FOODLUBE range, used in all sectors within the food and beverage industry, confirms the complete absence of PFAS chemicals without any loss in performance. This is a huge win for sustainability and for food manufacturers facing tighter regulations.

   

  Breakdown of the Science

  Here’s a closer look at the chemistry and engineering behind ROCOL lubricants :

• Thickener chemistry: Many ROCOL greases use calcium sulphonate complex. This thickener outperforms traditional lithium greases in water resistance, heat stability, and mechanical strength. Calcium sulphonate greases maintain their structure under pressure and don’t wash out easily, even when used in humid or outdoor environments.
• Additive packages: ROCOL lubricants are loaded with smart additives such as extreme pressure (EP) additives, anti-wear agents like zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP), corrosion inhibitors and oxidation inhibitors. These additives form protective layers on metal surfaces, reduce wear under load, and prevent rust over time.
• Base oils: ROCOL uses both mineral and synthetic base oils depending on the application. Synthetic options (including polyalphaolefins (PAOs) or ester-based oils) offer better thermal stability, low volatility and excellent lubrication in cold starts. These oils maintain consistent viscosity across a wide temperature range, ensuring that the lubricant doesn’t thin out when hot or become too viscous in the cold.
• Solid lubricants: In greases like AEROSPEC and other high-performance formulations, ROCOL includes micronised solid lubricants such as molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂) and graphite. They’re particularly useful in shock-load scenarios or where traditional oils might be squeezed out, such as aerospace landing gear. MoS₂, for instance, has an ultra-low coefficient of friction (around 0.03) and remains effective even in vacuum or extreme heat.
• Food-safe chemistry: In the FOODLUBE range, ROCOL avoids environmentally persistent PFAS. Instead, they rely on pharmaceutical-grade white oils, polyalphaolefins, and FDA-approved additives that meet ISO 21469 and NSF H1 standards. These chemicals are safe for incidental food contact without compromising performance.

Conclusion

ROCOL lubricants combine deep technical expertise with practical performance benefits. From their calcium sulphonate‑thickened high‑temp greases to PFAS‑free food‑grade oils, their products are made to keep things running smoothly, no matter how tough the job.

Want to see what ROCOL can do for your business? Head over to Conro Electronics' website to browse our full range of over 20,000 products, including ROCOL, all available with same‑day dispatch and full batch traceability.

Feel free to contact us on 0208 953 1211 or send us an email to info@conro.com