Lubrication Fundamentals

Training

Topic 2: Lubrication Characteristics

Properties of Lube Oils

In this section, you will learn the basics of lubricating oils. Let’s start by taking a look at
the properties of mineral and synthetic lubricating oils.

These properties are:

1. Viscosity,

2. Thermal stability,

3. Oxidation stability,

4. Pour point,

5. Demulsibility,

6. Flash point, and

7. Fire point.
Properties of Lube Oils

1. Viscosity
The first property of lubricating oils is viscosity. Viscosity
is the fluid’s internal resistance to flow.

Viscosity is the most important property of the lubricant.

Its overall goals are to:

1. Form a lubricating film,

2. Cool machine components, and

3. Seal and control oil consumption.

Let’s take a closer look at the importance of viscosity.

Properties of Lube Oils

Viscosity: The Most Important Property of Lube Oils

Click the video screen

to start the movie. Now let’s take a look at
viscosity designations.
Absolute Viscosity

VISCOSITY IS A MEASURE OF A FLUIDS RESISTANCE TO FLOW

Dynamic (absolute) viscosity is the measure of the force needed

to shear one fluid layer over another

SHEAR STRESS (APPLIED FORCE / UNIT AREA)

= DYNAMIC VISCOSITY
SHEAR RATE (FLUID VELOCITY / GAP)
 Kinematic Viscosity

DYNAMIC VISCOSITY KINEMATIC VISCOSITY

HIGH & LOW SHEAR LOW SHEAR

DYNAMIC VISCOSITY
= KINEMATIC VISCOSITY
DENSITY OF THE FLUID
In the laboratory viscosity is usually measured by means of the Brookfield (dynamic) rotary viscometer
or by the Oswald capillary U-tube viscometer (kinematic)

An oil with a Kinematic viscosity of 68cSt and a specific gravity of 0.86 would have a dynamic viscosity of 58cPs
Viscosity
• A measure of a fluids resistance to flow
• most important single property of a lubricant
• measured in terms of Absolute viscosity (Centipoise, cPs), resistance to
flow and shear (internal friction),
or by Kinematic viscosity (Centistoke, cSt), resistance to flow and shear by
forces of gravity.
• Other methods may also be used, eg Saybolt Universal Second (SUS)

• Need sufficient viscosity to maintain lubricant film strength

• Excessive viscosity generates additional fluid drag

• increases power requirements
• increases temperatures

• Viscosity is influenced by temperature, contaminants, water, and

chemical changes, pressure, and shear
Properties of Lube Oils

Recognizing Viscosity Designations

Each of the following groups measure viscosity by their own scale:

Abbreviation Group Name What the Group Classifies:

AGMA American Gear Manufacturers Association Industrial gear oils

SAE Society of Automotive Engineers Automotive engine/gear oils

SUS Saybolt Universal Seconds All oils

ISO International Standards Organization Industrial lubricating oils

cSt Centistokes All lubricants

Properties of Lube Oils

Viscosity Chart

The chart shown here compares lubricant viscosity

grades.

As you read across the chart (horizontally), the

viscosity designations are equal.
Properties of Lube Oils

Viscosity Chart
The chart shown here compares
lubricant viscosity grades.

As you read across (horizontally) the

chart, the viscosity designations are
equal.

For example, follow the line of the ruler on the chart and
you will see that:

SUS 500 = cSt 100 = ISO 100 = AGMA 3 = SAE Engine

30 = SAE Gear 85W
Properties of Lube Oils

Viscosity Index (VI)

Viscosity index is the rate of change of an oil’s viscosity with temperature. The higher the VI, the
less an oil’s viscosity changes with temperature.
In the graph below, notice that the slope of each line is different over the same temperature
range, depending on its viscosity: the lowest VI has the highest slope; the highest VI has the least
slope.

Viscosity Index Note: The numbers

in parentheses are
unitless numbers
that show the
Viscosity

difference between
viscosity at 40°C
Very High VI (135) i.e., synthetics
and 100°C.
High VI (95) i.e., mineral oil

Low VI (65) i.e., napthenic refrigeration oil

Temperature
Effect of Temperature on Viscosity

VISCOSITY / TEMPERATURE DIAGRAMS

Log
Kv
Kv

40 60 80 100 120 40 60 80 100 120

TEMPERATURE °C TEMPERATURE °C

TYPICAL MINERAL OIL VI 95

SYNTHETIC OIL VI 135
Benefits of Higher Viscosity Index

Normal VI
Superior flow
Viscosity Higher VI

Equivalent
ISO VG viscosity

Increased protection
40
Temperature, °C
Properties of Lube Oils

2. Thermal Stability
Thermal stability is another property of lubricating oils. It is the ability of lubricants to
resist breakdown at high temperatures.

Poor thermal stability can result in:

• Sludge,

• Deposits, and

• Increased viscosity.
Properties of Lube Oils

3. Oxidation Stability
Oxidation stability is the ability of a lubricant to resist the chemical combination with oxygen.

Oxidation can result in the creation of sludge deposits and increased viscosity. It is accelerated by the
following:

• Heat

• Light

• Metal catalysts

• Acids formed by water contamination

• Other contaminants
Properties of Lube Oils

4. Pour Point
Pour point is the lowest temperature at which an oil will flow under prescribed test conditions.
Pour point is affected by the amount of wax particles removed during processing of crude:

• The more wax particles there are,

the higher the pour point.

• The fewer wax particles there are,

the lower the pour point.
Properties of Lube Oils

5. Demulsibility
Demulsibility is another important property of lubricating oils. It is the ability of an oil to separate from
water.

Right Bottle
Left Bottle Water and oil separated
No water (outstanding demulsibility)

Center Bottle
Oil and water mixed
Properties of Lube Oils

6. Flash Point
Flash point is determined by heating the oil until vapors form; a flame is then passed across the oil.
The flash point is the temperature at which the oil sparks, but a flame is not sustained.

The flash point for lubricating

oils is typically 400°F or above.
Properties of Lube Oils

7. Fire Point
Fire point is determined in a manner similar to flash point. Oil is heated until vapors form; a flame is
then passed over the oil. The fire point is the temperature at which the oil sparks and the flame is
sustained.

The fire point for lubricating

oils is typically 700°F or
above.
 Question 1

What is the most important property of lubricating oils?

a. Thermal stability

b. Viscosity

c. Demulsibility

d. None of the above.

Question 1

That is not correct. Review the

Properties of Lube Oils: 1.
Viscosity slide, then return to the
previous slide.
 Question 1

What is the most important property of lubricating oils?

a. Thermal stability

b. Viscosity

c. Demulsibility

d. None of the above.

That is correct.
Proceed to the next question.
 Question 2

Determine if the following statement is true or false:

Thermal stability is the rate of change of an oil’s

viscosity with temperature.
True

False
Question 2

That is not correct. Review the

Properties of Lube Oils: 2.
Thermal Stability slide, then
return to the previous slide.
 Question 2

Determine if the following statement is true or false:

Thermal stability is the rate of change of an oil’s

viscosity with temperature.

True

False
That is correct.
Proceed to the next question.
 Question 3

Pour point is affected by the amount of wax particles

removed during processing of crude. The _______ wax
particles there are, the higher the pour point; the _______
the wax particles there are, the lower the pour point.
a. more; fewer

b. fewer; more

c. Pour point is not affected by the amount of wax

particles removed during processing of crude.
Question 3

That is not correct. Review the

Properties of Lube Oils: 4. Pour
Point slide, then return to the
previous slide.
 Question 3

Pour point is affected by the amount of wax particles

removed during processing of crude. The _______ wax
particles there are, the higher the pour point; the _______
the wax particles there are, the lower the pour point.
a. more; fewer

b. fewer; more
That is correct.
c. Pour point is not affected by the amount of
wax particles removed during processingProceed
of to the next slide.
crude.
Module Learning Objectives

At the completion of this module, participants should

be able to demonstrate an understanding of:

• Lubricants properties
• Effect of operating conditions on lubes properties
Thank You