Mechanical machines need lubrication. No machines can run for
long without lubrication of its moving parts. At best, the
moving parts may wear out faster. At worst, entire machines
can seize up and develop cracks. In severe conditions, the
heat built up can even cause explosions and loss of lives.
So lubrication is no small matter in machine operation.
Lubrication oil can last for a very long time in normal machine
operation. By determining the properties of lubrication oil,
many machine operators will be able to know whether the oil can
still be used.
Some of the important properties to watch for when buying or
replacing lubrication oil is as follows:
Viscosity
Viscosity Index
Pour Point
Oxidation Resistance
Flash Point, Fire Point
Alkalinity
Additives
Some of the additives that are put into the lubrication oil
include the following:
Anti Oxidant - Amines, Phenols
Corrosion Inhibitor
Detergent and Dispersant - Ca, Ba, Compounds, Soaps
Alkalinity - Ca, Ba Hydroxides
Anti Bacterial - Biocides
Oiliness or Wetting Agents - fatty oils, chlorinated wax
Extreme Pressure Agents - organic compounds of Cl, S, P (for
hydraulic, gear oil)
Pour Point Depressant - Organic polymers (alkyl naphthalene)
(for steering gear, refrigerator)
Anti foam - Silicones
Viscosity Index Improvers - organic polymers
Emulsifying Agent - Polar Compounds (emulsifying but do not
lose lubricating property)
With large machines that use large amounts of lubrication oil
the engineer has to determine when to change the oil. This is
because the change can be a very expensive affair.
The correct thing to do is to determine whether the oil can
still be used without changing. The engineer must know exactly
when to change the oil. He will take measurements of various
parameters to help him decide.
That could be a subject for another coming facworld ezine
article.
The contents of this page are part of a page from my e-book
"General Engineering Knowledge Notes" that will help candidates
prepare for the Marine Certificate of Competency Examinations.
This e-book is available for FREE downloading at
Marine Ebooks About the Author
Many years of working experience in Marine, Facilities,
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