Micro rail Metal corrosion accounts for the vast majority of cases. Especially during hot weather, sweat from the operator’s hands can also cause micro-guides to rust. Therefore, micro-guide manufacturers recommend that operators avoid directly touching the guides with their bare hands. Human sweat is a colorless, transparent, or pale yellow liquid containing salts and exhibiting weak acidity, with a pH value ranging from 5 to 6. In addition to sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium salts, it also contains small amounts of organic acids such as urea, lactic acid, and citric acid. When human sweat comes into contact with metal, it forms a thin sweat film on the metal surface. This sweat film can trigger electrochemical reactions on the metal surface, leading to corrosion. To prevent linear guides from rusting, please wear gloves, finger cots, or specialized tools when handling them.

　　Currently, miniature linear guides tend to rust, and the key issue is that we still don't fully understand how to properly use them. Generally speaking, miniature linear guides come出厂 with a layer of anti-rust oil applied at the factory. So why do they still rust? That's because many people, after using them, simply store the guides directly in a warehouse without taking any additional protective measures. After using a miniature linear guide, it’s essential to apply another coat of anti-rust oil. Don’t assume that the factory has already applied enough oil—actually, anti-rust oil evaporates quite quickly.

　　Store in a warehouse at room temperature. Do not mix with corrosive substances, and do not leave unused miniature guide rails lying on the ground. This is especially important because rust-preventive oil evaporates quickly underground. If assembly is carried out inside equipment, cover it with an aluminum alloy frame and periodically apply some rust-preventive oil or lubricant to prevent the lubricant from evaporating. During prolonged operation, friction will occur between the machine and the guide rail surfaces. As the coefficient of friction increases, this can negatively affect the service life of the slider.

　　If the miniature linear guide is exposed and comes into close contact with ambient air and dust, the manufacturer recommends regular maintenance—cleaning and lubricating it once a week. Use a cloth to wipe away grease and external dust from the guide, remove any debris, and then apply a fresh layer of lubricant or grease. Regular maintenance is essential to ensure that the miniature linear guide can operate reliably alongside mechanical automation equipment over the long term. It’s crucial to keep the surface of the miniature linear guide clean to prevent rusting. When cleaning, it’s important to select an appropriate cleaning method based on the surface characteristics of the anti-rust object and the prevailing environmental conditions. After the surface has been thoroughly dried and cleaned, you can use filtered, dry compressed air to blow it dry, or dry it in an oven at 120–170°C, or gently wipe it dry with a clean piece of gauze. Finally, apply an anti-rust oil to the linear guide.