MACHINERY LUBRICATION- INDIA SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2019 | Page 12

By Alejandro Meza | Noria Corporation
PERSPECTIVE
Lubrication Programs
Selecting
LUBRICANTS Based on
SPECIFICATIONS
E
ffective lubricant selection
must strike a balance between
quality, application and
affordability. In order to
achieve and maintain this
balance, lubricant specifications should
be created to serve as a guideline for
what to purchase and how to use it.
This article will discuss the necessary
steps
for
creating
lubricant
specifications and how they can lead to
sustained machine reliability.
What Are Lubricant
Specifications?
Lubricant specifications are internal
documents that contain the technical
standards, performance requirements
and industry approvals for every
lubricant used in the facility or fleet.
They may include information on
product safety, proper disposal or
alternative products available on the
market. Among the lubricants typically
found in these specifications are gear
oils, turbine oils, hydraulic fluids,
compressor
oils,
greases,
solid
lubricants, multi-purpose bearing oils,
engine oils, cutting fluids, total-loss
lubricants and others.
For small facilities or fleets, creating
10 | September - October 2019 |
lubricant specifications can be a
relatively simple exercise. However, the
complexity often increases according to
the facility’s equipment diversity or the
number of sites involved. The more
complex the facilities or the higher the
number of sites involved, the greater the
value of creating specifications.
Elements of Lubricant
Specifications
Depending on the needs of the plant or
fleet, lubricant specifications may
consist of the following elements:
Scope of Application
This defines the lubricant’s general
function or purpose as well as the
material type. It also describes specific
applications within the facility. For
example, the lubricant defined by this
specification is an API Group II mineral
gear oil containing extreme-pressure
additives. It is intended for use in
gearboxes operating at temperatures
up to 160 degrees F and which are
lubricated by bath or circulation
systems.
Physical and Chemical Properties
These are the intrinsic physical and
chemical properties of the lubricant.
Here it is important to identify not only
the testing parameters used but also
the expected test results. An ASTM or
appropriate test method should also be
referenced. Examples include ISO
viscosity grades (ASTM D2422),
minimum viscosity index (ASTM
D2270), aniline point (ASTM D611),
flash point (ASTM D92) and thickener
type.
Performance Properties
These refer to bench and laboratory
tests that the lubricant formula should
pass at a minimum level. Examples
include copper corrosion protection
(ASTM D130), demulsibility (ASTM
D1401) and dropping point (ASTM
D2265).
Lubricant specifications are effective
guidelines for selecting and using the right
lubricants in the right applications.
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