Lubrication
Alonso Zahira, Lancheros Diego, Turca Juan
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Santo Tomás University, Bogotá, Colombia.
(Received: 11/ 03/ 2021; Approved: 03/ 2021)
1. Introduction
In the industry it is common to be able to
collect information on failures in mechanisms
and machinery due to the variety of events
possible due to contact between parts without
any means to smooth their work. The use of
lubricants protects the materials and
mechanisms, extending their useful life and
reducing costs.
2. Friction
Friction, friction force, or frictional force
is a force between two surfaces that are in
contact, and that opposes movement, this means
that it has a direction contrary to movement. This
force can be of two types: static (when opposed
to the start of a slippage) or dynamic (when
opposed to relative movement) [1]. Frictional
force is not one of the fundamental forces of the
universe, as is gravity, but is due to the complex
interaction between the surface of two objects in
physical contact. Friction is usually spoken of
for solid objects, but there is also friction in
liquids: the effect of friction between layers of a
liquid substance defines its viscosity [2].
3. What damage does friction cause?
Friction is one of the types of wear that
affects materials and eventually results in
deterioration of parts. To understand what
friction wear consists of, it is necessary to take
into account a fundamental principle: even the
smoother surface has some degree of roughness
[3].  Any device that has moving parts can wear
out quickly due to friction. Lubrication is used
not only to allow parts to move more easily, but
also to prevent wear [4]. If the surface is
observed under a microscope, the surface will be
discovered to be uneven. At first glance it may
seem that the contacting surfaces touch evenly,
however, in reality each has peaks or higher
points that are generated by the contact areas [3].
When surfaces slide together, heat is generated
in the contact areas, producing surface oxidation
and micro welds. It is also possible for a grain to
detach and cause a scratch. More serious damage
could occur if material is released from one of
the two surfaces. Creating a wear model to
predict surface wear requires evaluating actual
contact areas. To do this, the recommended
instrument is the rugosimeter, which measures
the irregularity of the surface.
4. How does lubrication control friction
and wear?
Reducing friction to prevent or delay
part wear is possible in different ways. Low-cut
materials can be used to protect surfaces.
Improving lubrication between surfaces [3]. It is
noted that much of the mechanical elements have
friction and wear which has a negative effect that
has to be avoided: wear is the biggest cause of
loss of materials, so any reduction of it can bring
great benefits. Friction or friction is one of the
main causes of energy dissipation so its control
can result in significant energy savings.
Lubrication is the most effective way to reduce
friction and wear control [5]. The purpose of
lubrication is to interpose a coating so that the
two bodies do not touch when in motion so that
they can avoid friction and wear. To control
friction and wear, it is essential to select the right
lubricant for application, lubrication rate, and
operating conditions, such as speeds, loads,
pressures, and temperatures. Inadequate
lubricant can result in significant friction, wear
and even equipment failure. Meanwhile, an
appropriate choice of lubricant can reduce oil
consumption, increase process efficiency, and
extend equipment life [6].
5. Types of Additives in Lubricants
 There are many types of additives for Testing and Materials ASTM, The International
lubricants, some of these are: [7] Standards Organization ISO, The International
Lubrication Standardization and Approval
Viscosity modifiers, Detergents,
Committee ILSAC, The Japanese Automobile
Dispersants, Anti-wear agents, Extreme
Standards Association JASO, The Deutsche
pressure agents, Antioxidants [7]
Industrie Norm DIN, Association Francaise de
Each one of these are useful for different Normalisation AFNOR, The Association of
characteristics of lubricants for get a better work European Automotive Manufactures ACEA [11].
between mechanical parts, in some cases
These organizations are the main entities
maximizing the characteristics of the base
for regulation of lubricants and additives, in
lubricating oil, and in other cases adding
addition to their uses in the industry [11].
beneficial characteristics [8]. The selection of
lubricants depends largely on its additives and 6.1. Lubricant Selection
the required specifications, depending on the
For the lubricant selection is important
type of machinery for which the lubricant is
think in different characteristics of the
intended, for that reason it is so important it is
mechanism, for example, what is the volatility in
important to know about additives and their uses
operation condition, the different types of
[9].
lubricant for use in time and working period
5.1. Role of Additives [11], it is important to read the manufacturer's
manual because usually there it says the type of
The role of additives in the importance
lubricant recommended for their machines or
of lubrication mainly depends of the use, for
mechanism [12]. It is important to select the
example, viscosity modifiers change the
standard to work, to be consistent with the best
viscosity of the base oil for a better mechanism
characteristics according to additives and
operation without friction; detergent additive
recommendations of the selected regulations
helps to keep hot metal components clean and
[12].
avoid micro residues; dispersants helps to keep
free of deposits the mechanism; anti-wear 7. Application in the Company
agents, helps to protect the machine parts from
wear loss of metal and it is a polar additive
helping to attach the frictional parts; extreme
pressure agents, helps to prevent the welding in
cold caused by metal-to-metal contact;
antioxidants, helps to prevent presence of
Proincalza S.A.S. is a company that
oxygen in contact with mechanical parts at high
distributes machinery, supplies and raw
temperatures and wear [10] [7].
materials for footwear, has extensive experience
6. Standards and Lubricant Selection in the market being recognized for its high
quality. Furthermore, Proincalza S.A.S is in
The following are organizations charged charge of producing the toecaps and buttresses of
with standardizing lubricants and their the footwear, cutting the material with which the
characteristics: pieces are made, such as PVC and polyurethane.
The American Petroleum Institute API, The machines that the company has are the die
The Society of Automotive Engineers SAE, The cutter, the devastating machine and the crusher.
American Gear Manufacturers Association  Die Cutter Machine:
AGMA, The National Lubricanting Grease The maintenance activities of the
Institute NLGI, The American Society for company's die cutter machine,
 frequently, weekly or monthly. The
lubrication of these machines is based on
the bearings, on the chains, on the
section guides, on the vacuum pump.
one of the most widely used lubricants
for this machine is Turbodraw ™ 5910
Die Cutting Oil.
 Devasting Machine:
For these types of machines, the kind of
mounting medium and support material
determines whether wet or dry grinding
with attached abrasives should be used,
and particularly which fluids should be
used as lubricants. Hence, Proincalza
S.A.S used waterproof tape or abrasive
coated disc for coarse roughing and wet
operation during fine roughing, whether
this stage is performed by mechanical or
manual methods.
 Crusher:
The actual crusher can be in the form of a
cone, gyratory and impact. The common
requirement for lubrication, for the
crushers used in the company be it oil
lubrication for gear boxes for bearings.
The pure nature of crushing rocks
produces many possible issues to tend
with on a daily basis. The
contamination of oil is a common issue
and a fact of life. The solution applied is
the circulating oil lubrication system
(CircOil) to remove contaminants or
“condition” the oil, to optimize the
lubrication and maintenance of the
crusher.
The most widely used lubrication methods
are manual lubrication and oil bath lubrication.
7.1 Control and Reduction of Risks.
To reduce health risks when handling
lubricants, the following guidelines are followed:
Use of personal protective equipment: rubber or
latex gloves ,safety glasses.,safety shoes and
lumbar support girdles (if lifting weight).
For a lubricant to operate correctly, 3 conditions
are applied in the company:
• It must be Clean.
• Proper handling of the lubricant in the
warehouse.
• Keep the oil culture clean.
• Control of the air intake.
• It must be dry.
• Proper cleaning practices.
• Correct selection of lubricant.
• Maintain in design operating conditions .
• Change oil regularly.
References
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