Mineral oil mist is a colorless, oily liquid mist generated as a result of the use of various mineral oils. It has an odor similar to burned lubricating oil. Oil mist is formed of oil particles 1.0-3.0 microns in diameter suspended in a current of air, with a ratio of 1 part oil to 200,000 parts air which can be used as pure mist for lubrication or purge mist for preservation.

This mixture is not a volatile organic compound (VOC); therefore there is no risk of explosion or combustion. There are two main oil mist applications, pure mist for lubrication and purge mist for preservation. The equipment and its operating conditions determine the type of mist application that should be used. Due to its advantages, whenever possible, pure mist is recommended to lubricate rotating equipment.