Tag: Industrial Lubricant

Understanding Industrial Lubricant Viscosity

Industrial lubricants are essential to the smooth and efficient operation of machinery across various industries. One of the most critical properties of these lubricants is viscosity, a term frequently mentioned in maintenance manuals and technical specifications. But what exactly is viscosity, and why is it so crucial in industrial applications? This blog will delve into the intricacies of lubricant viscosity and its significance in industrial settings.

What is Viscosity?

Viscosity is a measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow. It describes how thick or thin a lubricant is, which in turn affects its ability to form a protective film over moving parts. A higher viscosity means the lubricant is thicker and flows more slowly, while a lower viscosity indicates a thinner fluid that flows more easily.

Importance of Viscosity in Industrial Lubricants

  1. Protection Against Wear and Tear: Viscosity plays a crucial role in creating a protective layer between moving parts. This layer minimizes direct metal-to-metal contact, reducing wear and tear. The right viscosity ensures that the lubricant can maintain this protective film even under extreme pressures and temperatures.
  2. Temperature Control: Industrial machinery often operates under high temperatures. Lubricants with the correct viscosity can absorb and dissipate heat effectively, preventing overheating and maintaining optimal operating temperatures.
  3. Energy Efficiency: Lubricants with the appropriate viscosity reduce friction between moving parts, leading to lower energy consumption. This efficiency can result in significant cost savings, especially in large-scale industrial operations.
  4. Component Longevity: By reducing friction and wear, the right lubricant viscosity can extend the lifespan of machinery components. This longevity translates to fewer breakdowns, lower maintenance costs, and increased operational efficiency.

Factors Influencing Viscosity

Several factors can affect the viscosity of industrial lubricants:
  1. Temperature: Viscosity decreases with an increase in temperature. This means that a lubricant that is effective at room temperature might become too thin at higher temperatures. Conversely, a lubricant that is too thick at lower temperatures can hinder machinery start-up and operation.
  2. Pressure: High pressures can increase lubricant viscosity. Industrial lubricants must maintain their protective qualities under varying pressure conditions to ensure continuous protection and performance.
  3. Contaminants: The presence of contaminants like water, dirt, or other chemicals can alter the viscosity of lubricants. Regular monitoring and maintenance are essential to ensure the lubricant maintains its intended properties.

Viscosity Grades and Standards

Industrial lubricants are categorized by viscosity grades, which are standardized by organizations such as the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). These grades provide a framework for selecting the right lubricant for specific applications.
  1. SAE Viscosity Grades: Commonly used in automotive and industrial applications, SAE grades are represented by numbers (e.g., SAE 30, SAE 40). The higher the number, the higher the viscosity.
  2. ISO Viscosity Grades: ISO grades are used primarily for industrial lubricants and are denoted by numbers (e.g., ISO VG 32, ISO VG 46). These grades indicate the viscosity of the lubricant at 40°C.

Choosing the Right Viscosity

Selecting the appropriate lubricant viscosity depends on several factors:
  1. Operating Conditions: Consider the temperature, pressure, and environment in which the machinery operates. High temperatures may require lubricants with higher viscosity to maintain effectiveness.
  2. Manufacturer Recommendations: Always refer to the machinery manufacturer’s specifications for recommended lubricant viscosity grades. These recommendations are based on extensive testing and ensure optimal performance and protection.
  3. Application Requirements: Different applications may have unique viscosity needs. For instance, hydraulic systems, gearboxes, and compressors may all require lubricants with specific viscosity characteristics tailored to their operational demands.

Conclusion

Understanding and selecting the correct viscosity for industrial lubricants is vital for ensuring machinery performance, efficiency, and longevity. By considering operating conditions, manufacturer recommendations, and application requirements, businesses can optimize their lubrication strategies, leading to improved operational outcomes and cost savings. In the complex world of industrial machinery, a little knowledge about lubricant viscosity goes a long way. Ensuring that you use the right lubricant with the appropriate viscosity can make a significant difference in the performance and reliability of your equipment. Contact us for more information about lubricant viscosity.

Understanding the Factors Leading to Lubricant Contamination

Lubricants play a vital role in maintaining the smooth operation of machinery across various industries. They reduce friction, dissipate heat, and prevent wear and tear of moving parts. However, ensuring the optimal performance of lubricants requires more than just selecting the right type; it also involves managing and preventing contamination. Contaminated lubricants can lead to equipment failure, increased maintenance costs, and reduced efficiency. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the factors that contribute to lubricant contamination and explore ways to mitigate them.

External Particulate Matter:

One of the primary sources of lubricant contamination is external particulate matter such as dust, dirt, and debris. These contaminants can enter the lubrication system through openings in machinery, seals, or during maintenance procedures. Once inside, they can cause abrasive wear, leading to premature equipment failure.

Water and Moisture:

Water and moisture can infiltrate lubricant systems through leaks, condensation, or improper storage. Contaminated lubricants with water can promote corrosion, degrade lubricant performance, and reduce the effectiveness of additives. Additionally, water contamination can lead to the formation of emulsions, which further exacerbate lubricant degradation.

Chemical Contaminants:

Chemical contaminants, including acids, solvents, and fuel, can degrade the quality of lubricants and compromise equipment performance. These contaminants may enter the lubrication system through various means such as chemical wash-downs, fuel leaks, or improper handling practices. Chemical contamination can accelerate oxidation, reduce viscosity, and cause seal degradation, ultimately leading to equipment failure.

Wear Debris:

Wear debris generated from the friction between moving parts can contaminate lubricants and accelerate wear rates. As components wear down, particles of metal, plastic, or other materials can circulate within the lubrication system, causing abrasive damage to machinery components. Regular monitoring of wear debris levels through oil analysis can help detect potential equipment problems before they escalate.

Microbial Growth:

In environments with high humidity and organic matter, microbial growth can occur within lubricant systems. Microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi can feed on organic contaminants present in lubricants, leading to the formation of sludge, acids, and other harmful by-products. Microbial contamination can compromise lubricant integrity, reduce equipment reliability, and contribute to foul odors.

Improper Handling and Storage:

Improper handling and storage practices can also contribute to lubricant contamination. Exposure to contaminants during transportation, transfer, or storage can compromise the quality of lubricants before they even reach the equipment. It’s essential to store lubricants in clean, sealed containers, and follow proper handling procedures to minimize the risk of contamination.

Mitigating Lubricant Contamination:

Implement Regular Maintenance and Inspection Protocols: Establishing routine maintenance schedules and inspection protocols can help detect contamination early and prevent equipment damage. This includes conducting oil analysis, inspecting seals and gaskets for leaks, and maintaining cleanliness in lubricant storage areas.

Use Proper Filtration Systems:

Installing effective filtration systems can remove particulate matter and other contaminants from lubricants, thereby extending equipment life and improving performance. Ensure that filters are regularly inspected, cleaned, or replaced according to manufacturer recommendations.

Practice Good Housekeeping:

Maintaining a clean and organized work environment can minimize the risk of external contaminants entering lubrication systems. Regularly clean equipment surfaces, seal openings, and implement spill containment measures to prevent contamination.

Educate Personnel:

Train personnel on proper lubricant handling, storage, and maintenance procedures to minimize the risk of contamination. Emphasize the importance of cleanliness, proper labeling, and following manufacturer recommendations to preserve lubricant integrity.

Select High-Quality Lubricants:

Choose lubricants that are specifically formulated for your equipment and operating conditions. High-quality lubricants with superior additive packages can offer better protection against contamination and extend equipment life.

Conclusion

Understanding the factors that contribute to lubricant contamination is essential for maintaining equipment reliability and performance. By implementing proper maintenance practices, utilizing effective filtration systems, and educating personnel, businesses can mitigate the risk of lubricant contamination and prolong the life of their machinery. Ultimately, investing in contamination prevention measures can lead to significant cost savings and ensure the smooth operation of industrial equipment. Contact us for more information about lubricant contamination.

Handling with Moisture Contamination Inside Lubricants and Machines

Introduction

Moisture contamination in lubricants and machines is a persistent challenge that can have detrimental effects on equipment performance, longevity, and overall operational efficiency. Water intrusion can lead to corrosion, wear, and a breakdown in lubrication, resulting in costly downtime and maintenance. In this blog, we’ll explore the various sources of moisture contamination, its effects on lubricants and machines, and effective strategies for dealing with this issue to ensure smooth and reliable equipment operation.

Understanding Moisture Contamination

Moisture can infiltrate lubricants and machines through several sources, including environmental factors such as humidity, temperature changes, and exposure to rain or water spray. Additionally, poor storage practices, improper maintenance procedures, and faulty seals or gaskets can contribute to moisture ingress.

Effects of Moisture Contamination

Moisture contamination can have a range of negative effects on both lubricants and machines:
  1. Corrosion: Water in contact with metal surfaces can lead to corrosion, weakening the components and reducing their lifespan.
  2. Reduced Lubricating Properties: Moisture can disrupt the lubricating film between moving parts, causing increased friction and wear.
  3. Oil Degradation: Water contamination can accelerate the degradation of lubricating oils, reducing their effectiveness and leading to the formation of harmful byproducts.
  4. Foaming: Water can cause lubricants to foam, leading to air entrainment and reduced lubrication efficiency.
  5. Microbial Growth: Moist environments can promote the growth of microbes, which can lead to the formation of sludge and deposits that impair equipment performance.

Dealing with Moisture Contamination

Addressing moisture contamination requires a comprehensive approach that involves both prevention and mitigation strategies:
  1. Proper Storage and Handling: Store lubricants in clean, dry environments and ensure that containers are tightly sealed to prevent moisture ingress. Implement proper handling procedures during lubricant transfer to minimize the risk of contamination.
  2. Regular Equipment Inspection: Perform routine inspections to identify and address potential sources of moisture intrusion, such as damaged seals, gaskets, or vents.
  3. Desiccant Breathers: Install desiccant breathers on equipment to prevent moisture-laden air from entering the system. These breathers absorb moisture and maintain a dry environment within the equipment.
  4. Oil Analysis: Implement a regular oil analysis program to monitor moisture levels in lubricants. This can help identify contamination issues early and guide maintenance decisions.
  5. Water Separation Techniques: Utilize water separation techniques such as centrifugation or coalescing filters to remove free water from lubricants.
  6. Maintain Proper Seals and Gaskets: Ensure that all seals and gaskets are in good condition to prevent moisture from entering critical areas of the equipment.
  7. Operating Conditions: If possible, maintain consistent operating conditions to reduce temperature fluctuations that can cause condensation.
  8. Lubricant Choice: Opt for lubricants that have good demulsibility, which means they can separate from water easily, reducing the risk of emulsification.

Conclusion

Moisture contamination is a persistent challenge in maintaining the health and efficiency of lubricants and machines. Its effects can be far-reaching, impacting both the lubricant’s performance and the machine’s longevity. By implementing preventive measures such as proper storage, regular inspections, and the use of desiccant breathers, as well as employing mitigation techniques like oil analysis and water separation, industries can effectively tackle moisture contamination. Through these strategies, businesses can ensure smooth operations, minimize downtime, and extend the lifespan of their equipment, ultimately leading to increased productivity and cost savings. Contact our Micro-lube experts for more information about moisture contamination inside lubricants and machines.

What is Lube Room And Why Is It Important?

A lube room is where you store and manage industrial oil lubricants. It’s important because it’s where you’ll find all the ingredients necessary to make your industrial oil lubricants, including additives and solvents. The room is well-ventilated and temperature controlled to protect your products from contamination and oxidation. Also read: Best Steps for Machine Greasing A lube room is a place where you can store your industrial oil lubricants. The reason it’s important to have one is because it allows you to keep track of what’s in your inventory and make sure that it’s all stored properly. If you have a lot of different types of lubricants, or if they are in different places, this will help keep things organized and easy to find.

When you think of a lube room, what do you imagine?

You might think about some kind of industrial oil lubricant storage facility. You might also assume that the room is staffed by people who wear white lab coats and have PhDs in fluid mechanics. Well, maybe not so much. But this isn’t just any old lube room–it’s an entire facility where you can store your industrial lubricants in an environment that’s completely safe for them. Because they’re expensive, you want to ensure they’re safe to use.  Also, it’s important to have a good place to store your industrial lubricants so they don’t get knocked over or spilled accidentally. Must read: Method to Choose Automatic Grease Lubrication System In any case, it’s important for any facility that deals with heavy machinery to always have a well-stocked lube room with plenty of industrial lubricants on hand so that employees can get their hands dirty without having to worry about whether they have enough oil for whatever job needs doing at any given moment–which means no more having to run out at midnight just because there wasn’t enough oil around when everything went down!

Importance of Lube Room

These rooms are important because they ensure that the proper amount of lubricant is always available. If there were no lube rooms available, you would have to rely on whatever supply your company had access to at the time–and if that weren’t enough, you would order more from another supplier. This would cause delays in production and other delays as well because there would be no way for your factory to keep up with demand unless they had plenty of storage space for their products. Must read: Examining the Benefits of Various Types of Automatic Lubrication Systems

Overall

So, what does this mean for you? It means that if your company doesn’t have any lube rooms, then they may not be able to fulfil all their orders on time; they may not have enough storage space, so they have trouble keeping up with demand; or even worse yet! They might run out entirely, which could cause serious problems if an emergency requires urgent attention. You know that feeling when you’re at the grocery store and just finished your shopping trip, but then you realize that your wallet is empty? Well, it’s like that, except instead of credit cards, it’s lube. You’re here because you need more lube. And we have a solution: a lube room! A lube room is a place where you can store your industrial oil lubricant for easy access when it’s time for some slippery fun. It doesn’t have to be fancy-just a space where you can keep your lube in one place so that when you need it, all you must do is grab it and go. And if you don’t want to leave the place without it? We have those too! You can pick up some industrial lubricant from us at any time online. Contact us with our engineers to know more about Lube rooms. Must read:
  1. Benefits of an Automatic Conveyor Chain Lubrication System 
  2. Understanding Oil Filtration Systems
  3. An Introduction to Hydraulic Oil Filters

Learn! How to Prevent Waste of Industrial Lubricant?

Industrial Lubricants are an important part of keeping your engine running smoothly. They help reduce friction and wear, which in turn helps keep your engine running longer, making it more efficient and pollution free. However, it is important that you know how to prevent waste of Industrial lubricant so that it does not end up going through your drain or ending up in a landfill somewhere. You must make sure you have enough lubricant on hand. You can never have too much lubricant, but if you run out before you need it, there will be no way to fix the problem until you get more! Keep a spare container handy, so you never run out when you need it most. Always check for leaks. A good way to check for leaks is by using a flashlight and looking for bubbles coming out of your machine or car engine during operation hours (when the lights are on). If any leaks are present, excessive wear could occur throughout the machine or vehicle. There is a lot to know about preventing the waste of industrial lubricant.

Here Are Five Key Points To Get You Started:

  • Do not use too much.
  • Make sure your lubricant is clean and fresh when you need it most.
  • Read the instructions with your lubricant carefully, so you know how much is enough for your situation and how much is too much.
  • Keep track of how much you use (and ensure you use just one product for each application).
  • When in doubt, do not use lubricant at all! That is not good.

Why Waste Your Precious Lubricant?

Lubricant is expensive and hard to come by. It is easy to flush down the toilet, spill in the sink, or run down your hands as you try to clean something. And that means all your hard work, from cleaning your engine room to replacing all those broken parts, is for nothing! Wasting lubricant is a massive problem for any machine. You do not want to be wasting it—but you also do not want to have too much of it lying around. That is why we have a list of tips on how to prevent the waste of lubricant. Whether your car is old or new, do not be afraid to crank it up now and then. That way, any excess oil normally considered waste would help lubricate the moving parts of your vehicle. This will save you money overall because you will not need as much lubricant for routine maintenance or repairs.

Final Thoughts

When lubricating your machines, do not forget to lube the bearings too. Do not use the dirty gear as a lubricant for another one. It is not always necessary to add oil or grease to your machine when working on it—wipe it clean and put it away! To prevent waste of Industrial lubricant, make sure you have enough lubricant on hand before starting work on something important. You may visit our website to know more about the waste of Industrial lubricants and to know more about industrial lubricants suppliers in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. 

How Can You Achieve Lubrication Excellence?

  Lubricating your machines and other equipment is necessary to make them function properly. A high-quality industrial lubricant not only improves the functionality of the machine but also makes it last longer. Achieving lubrication excellence is necessary, so you know you are using the right product with the right method. When we talk about excellence in the lubrication method, it means knowing the right methods and developing a sound lubrication program for your facility or equipment. This helps improve the service and lifetime of a machine. Forming industrial lubricant excellence also requires you to know your machines well and their requirements. This will help design an effective lubrication plan to achieve lubrication excellence. This blog post mentions some tips that might help you with achieving lubrication excellence.

Don’t Overgrease

Overgreasing might have the same negative effects as that of under greasing. There is no use in over greasing your machines and using excessive amounts of lubricants. Greasing is a way of filtering contaminants from the bearings. If you overuse your lubricant, it can affect the function of the machine.

Key Points For Not Overgreasing

If you are greasing a bearing, it is important to know its geometry and dimensions. There is a misconception to apply more grease to purge out the contaminants, which is not true. The right way to achieve lubrication excellence is to apply a fraction of the calculated quantity at shorter intervals. The technician or the machine operator must know how much grease to add at the right time and calibrate the automatic lubrication system accordingly.

Testing New Deliveries

It is a wise choice to test the quality of new lubricant deliveries, especially when equipment reliability is your prime concern. A little deviation from your original lubricant to opt for a new one can have a devastating impact on your machine. This is because there can be variations in the chemical and physical properties of a lubricant. Moreover, your Industrial lubricant supplier can also help you select the right lubricant for your machine.

Opt For The Condition-based Oil Changing Method

You might sometimes think that your machine needs an oil change, but actually, it doesn’t. Many organizations change their oil based on intervals. These intervals include considerations, such as the calendar, operating hours (meter), fuel consumed, miles/kilometers driven, or production/work performed. A condition-based oil changing strategy is useful to reduce oil consumption and save costs. The most important pre-step for a condition-based oil change is oil analysis. The analysis of the oil’s condition can tell you whether it is time to change oil or not.

Educate Your Team

The maintenance team is responsible for maintaining the machines and ensuring their proper lubrication. If the maintenance team is not well-informed about the necessary practices and the right lubrication methods, their wrong methods of lubrication can negatively impact the machines. Lubricating and achieving excellence in it is an extensive procedure that demands dedication and relevant knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to educate your maintenance team so lubrication standards can be achieved and they can enhance their competencies.

Interpret Oil Analysis Reports

Oil analysis is an important part of condition-based oil changing. Many teams and plant personnel who receive oil analysis reports do not understand how to interpret them. Oil analysis is a report with a summary section with recommendations written in layman’s terms. They might not be precisely tailored according to the condition of the machine. The oil maintenance team must know all the facts and important information about the machine to interpret the oil analysis report. This is necessary to achieve lubrication excellence.

Avoid Lubrication Starvation

Lubrication starvation must be avoided at all costs. Shortage of lubricants can put a strain on the machine and make it hard for it to function properly. There must be some kind of alarm system installed that alerts you once the lubricant levels have gone down beyond a certain point. Your machines are dependent on lubricants, and they need an adequate and sustained supply of the right lubricant to keep operating at an optimum level.

About Micro Lube

Micro Lube is a full-service conveyor lubrication Company with international experience and a genuine commitment to professional, affordable, and personalized service to our diverse customers. Our staff has over ten years of “hands-on” experience in conveyor and chain lubrication which has earned our customers’ confidence in our products and services. Contact us here for more information.

5 Different Types Of Grease Used In Industrial Applications

Industrial machinery requires grease for its effective and smooth running. This is due to the grease’s ability to reduce the friction between various components and parts of these machines and allow them to run smoothly. In addition to this, greases are also used for vessels and vehicles. Each type of grease is manufactured differently, and no two greases are similar. These unique properties allow each type of grease to have different functions. Grease contains thickener, base oil, and additives. What sets them apart from one another is the additive. Some greases are designed for high speed, while others are designed for high pressure.

Uses Of Grease

Traditionally, grease was used to keep vessels, vehicles, machines, and their components lubricated at all times; now, they serve other purposes as well. Due to their versatility, greases or lubricants have found a wide-range of applications across industries, such as manufacturing, automotive, mining, steel, construction, marine, the farming industry, and so on. Continue reading our post to find out more about the different types of grease used in industrial applications.

Different Greases & Their Applications

Lithium Grease

Lithium grease is a multipurpose grease and is commonly known for its high viscosity, durability, and stability. Its design provides long-lasting protection against corrosion, extreme temperatures, oxidation, as well as wear and tear. These greases are known for their high water resistance, excellent lubrication, long-lasting performance, smooth running, and ability to withstand shock loads and high pressure. They are suitable for multiple applications, such as bearings, chassis, winches, automotive, axle arrangements, industrial, gardening, household, and other metal-to-metal applications.

Calcium Grease

One of the first greases to be manufactured for general use was Calcium grease. A high-temperature environment or activity affects its structure, resulting in reduced capability. Thus, it is well-suited only for low-temperature environments. Some of its key features include great mechanical stability, water resistance, and corrosion protection by smoothening friction. Its water resistance makes it a suitable option for marine use. Other applications of calcium grease include automotive, agriculture, and industrial.

Polyurea Grease

Polyurea grease gained popularity due to its outstanding water-resistant capability, oxidation, mechanical stability, rust and corrosion prevention, durability, versatility, and high-temperature performance. These properties make polyurea grease suitable for life-long applications across various industries. Polyurea grease is considered vital for the proper lubrication of electric motor bearings, CV joints, pulleys, and steel plants among machine owners. Also, due to the absence of soap, it is recommended for low noise applications.

Bentone Grease

It is a clay-based, non-soap grease developed with bentonite clay. This grease type has no known dropping point and is called a non-melt lubricant. It has high-temperature resistance as it can retain its stability at any temperature. It has great mechanical or shear stability, exceptional water tolerance, and impressive adhesiveness. Its high viscosity provides effective protection for bearings and is ideal for highly demanding applications. It is typically used in the steel, construction, manufacturing, ceramic, and mining industries.

Sodium Grease

Sodium grease is formulated by mixing soda soap with base oils and additives and has a fibrous texture. This mixture provides good mechanical or shear stability, good rust protection, a high dropping point, and good lubrication. However, it has poor water resistance and oxidation stability. Due to these shortcomings, sodium grease is now mostly used for lubricating wheel bearings. It is a low-cost grease as it requires mixing with other greases to produce a higher quality grease for satisfactory results. Micro-Lube has been in the lubrication industry for years. We offer the best range of lubricants and related products, including filtration systems, dispensing, storage, and more. To learn more about us, click here. Related blog:  Know about the Basics of Automatic Lubrication System    

Six Factors That Affect The Life Of A Lubricant

Six Factors That Affect The Life Of A Lubricant Lubricants play an essential role in a machine’s life and must carefully be monitored so its unexpected short life does not ruin your equipment. An old or dried-out lubricant can wreak havoc on your machines and lead to their downtime costing your industry millions of dollars. A lubricant that is kept in good condition with the right physical and chemical properties, optimal additives’ levels, and minimum contamination and wear can perform the following functions:
  • Minimize friction between metal parts of the machine
  • Decrease wear of machine parts
  • Regulate your machine’s operating temperatures
  • Minimize contamination
On the other hand, an old lubricant can cause permanent damage to your machine’s components as it will not regulate friction, and create contamination between the moving parts. For this reason, maximizing the life of a lubricant is critical. Below are the various factors that can make a lubricants’ life shorter. Preventing these factors can help prevent unscheduled downtimes and stoppages in your company’s production line.

Factors That Lead To Shorter Lubricant Service Life

In general, industrial lubricants lose their optimal functionality and efficiency after some time. However, this time is usually pre-determined by its manufacturer. If the lubricant goes bad before this time, it can lead to machine malfunctioning. Factors that can lead to shorter lubricant service life include:

Oxidation

This is a chemical reaction that occurs when the base oil comes in contact with free oxygen. It greatly reduces the lubricants life and its effectiveness as a lubricating agent. This is because oxidation leads to an increase in oil viscosity, resulting in varnish deposits. The accumulated sludge decreases machine efficiency by reducing heat transfer, blocking oil ways, promoting foam and emulsification, and ultimately resulting in seizures and machine breakdown.

Thermal Degradation

Machines that operate at high temperatures cause lubricating oils to undergo higher degradation rates in the absence of oxygen. This yields volatile gases and carbonaceous residues that contribute to heat build-up and machine damage. It is best to keep your machines at the lowest possible temperature to avoid this degradation and increase your lubricating oils’ service life.

Contamination

Oil contamination is the most common cause of oil degradation, which also facilitates other chemical reactions. These hinder basic machine processes such as aeration, foaming, air release, and demulsibility. Lubricating oil contaminants include water, airborne, dust particles, fluid soluble and insoluble materials, and the degraded oil components themselves.

Foaming

This constitutes the formation of froth/bubbles in the lubricants oil due to excess air that determines its poor quality. Air or oil foam can easily escape the reservoir and accumulate in the headspaces of gearboxes, crankcases, sumps, and other components with air spaces. It can also be ingested into the circulation pump and interfere with the gears and bearings’ effective lubrication.

Air Release

Air release is a necessary action that allows air to escape through bubbles in the oil. Poor quality lubricants are unable to perform this task effectively, and hence, contribute to oil foaming. Air release is greatly influenced by oil viscosity, temperature, and the presence of contaminants. Therefore, employing a good quality lubricant is an ideal solution to avoid this.

Demulsibility

This constitutes the lubricant oil’s ability to release water, which is imperative when the machinery is operating in a humid atmosphere. The oils’ inability to demulsify results in the corrosion of ferrous metals. A significant reduction in the fatigue life of ball bearings, roller bearings, and gears. It also hinders the removal of rust inhibitors, anti-wear, and lubricity additives from oils.

Maximize Your Lubricating Oil’s Service Life

The service life of lubricating oils is determined by their capability to avoid degradation. Good quality lubricating oils generally have an increased service life which you can further extend by operating the machinery at low temperatures, maintaining the oils and keeping it clean, preventing water ingress, and minimizing air contamination. For more information on how to increase your lubricant’s life, visit our website or contact us here today.

4 Lubrication Mistakes That Cause Machine Downtime

For most manufacturers, unscheduled machine downtime is the largest cause of lost production time. These downtimes, which result from equipment malfunction or failure, can cost industries millions of dollars and ruin their reputation in the market. For this reason, companies must figure out the factors that may lead to machine malfunctions and breakdowns. One of the biggest reasons for machine failure is its incorrect and inadequate lubrication. Proper lubrication is essential to ensure all moving parts of a machine are operating efficiently. A lack of investment in a lubrication program can lead to high maintenance costs, lost revenue, and equipment downtime. To establish the perfect lubrication program for your machines and avoid these premature machine failure incidents, below are five common lubrication mistakes and tips to avoid them.

Using The Wrong Lubricant

Selecting the right kind of lubricants for your machine is often difficult. Besides considering the type of application and mechanical technicalities, you must also consider the lubricant’s properties and its changing additive packages. Moreover, the wide variety of available oils in the market make the selection process even more challenging. For machine bearings and guides, selecting the right lubricant is even more critical, as the wrong one will shorten their useful life and may also result in catastrophic failures. Therefore, choosing the appropriate lubricant for a machine will directly influence its efficiency and performance. To select the proper lubricant for your equipment, follow the steps below:
  • Figure out the lubricant’s purpose
  • Consider the application’s operating conditions
  • Carefully view the properties and additive packages of the lubricant
  • Take into account the lubricant’s lifespan
  • Consider its ease of application
  • Select a reliable vendor or supplier
  • Finally, compare the prices of the lubricants and select the one most suitable for you

Neglecting Lubrication Maintenance

Manually and visually inspecting and maintaining the lubricant present inside the machine is the most important step to avoid machine downtime and failure. People often wait too long to perform this inspection. This negligence leads to unscheduled downtime and lost productivity. A structured and properly calibrated lubrication program can prevent unscheduled machine failure. It will also help extend the bearings life and will increase the efficiency of the machine. A comprehensive lubrication program will consist of self-lubricating the machine, a thorough inspection of the lubricant and its condition monitoring, and finally, its timely drainage. When visually checking the condition of the lubricant, make sure:
  • The lubricant film is thin and consistent
  • There are no signs of over or under lubrication
  • It is not contaminated

Improperly Handling & Storing The Lubricant

Proper lubrication storage and transportation are critical to improving the performance and service life of your lubricant. Although this is often overlooked, proper storage and handling can significantly impact your overall lubrication program’s success. This is because the fluids are vulnerable to contamination by dust and dirt, and other environmental conditions that can adversely affect your lubricants’ shelf life. So, whether you’re storing your lubricants indoors or outdoors, it is essential to follow proper lubrication protocols. For proper lubrication storage, do the following things:
  • Color-code your lubricant containments
  • Keep the lubricant containers in a clean and dry environment
  • Make sure the storage place is sheltered and well-ventilated
  • Do not store the lubricant near sources of heat and steam

Inadequate Training Of The Workers

For the machine lubrication program to be successful, industries must invest in their workers’ training and education. Most operators in factories handling machine lubrication are not trained enough to avoid mistakes that lead to machine failure and malfunctioning. Moreover, most maintenance staff are not as familiar with maintaining bearing lubrication and need proper instructions. Failing to invest in your workers training will lead to improper maintenance, reducing your machine’s operating life. These are the four most common lubrication mistakes that can bring your machine down. For more information on machine lubrication, visit our website or contact us here today.

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