LUBRICANTS

Lecture By: Sakuntala

Wipulasundara
B.Sc. Eng (Hons)UOM, PG Dip UOM, AMIESL
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering,
Sri Lanka Institute of
Information Technology
HYDRAULIC OIL

Hydraulic oil is the main medium of energy transfer

in hydraulic systems. Tasks of the oil include;
• Lubrication of the interior of the hydraulic
components
• Prevention of metal parts from corrosion
• Dissipation of heat
• Wash away particles from the components
LUBRICATION
• Process of reducing friction between relatively moving
surfaces
• The principal of supporting a sliding load on a friction
reducing film is lubrication
• Without lubrication system components will wear
excessively
• Lubrication will cause heat reduction
• Water is a lubricant too
• But petroleum oil is better as it forms a durable fluid
film.
LUBRICITY
• The liquid’s ability to form a durable fluid film.
• The ability is related to natural film thickness and
tendency to adhere to a surface.
• Petroleum has high lubricity; if poured on a steel plate,
would wet or adhere to the surface with a substantial
fluid film.
• Water would also wet, but, film too thin.
• Mercury has a thick film, but less tendency to adhere.
VISCOSITY
• Liquid molecules are free and therefore in constant
motion.
• Viscosity is the resistance of liquid molecules to slide
past each other.
• A form of internal friction.
• The viscosity of honey is high and water is low.
• Absolute viscosity is kinematic viscosity corrected to
overcome differences in specific gravity.
• Centipoise/ Specific Gravity = Centistoke (The SI unit of
viscosity)
MEASURING VISCOSITY
• In memory of George M. Saybolt, who developed a
viscosimeter for US Bureau of Standards, Saybolt
Universal Second (SUS) is used.
• A liquid is heated to a specific temperature
• The time taken for it to fill a 60ml container is the SUS
• Eg: 143 seconds or 143 SUS @37.7C
• Many hydraulic oils have 150 SUS – 250 SUS @37.7C
• Viscosity is always associated with temperature.
MEASURING VISCOSITY CNTD…
VISCOSITY AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE
• Heating molasses adds energy to molecules and reduces
attraction between molecules
• This reduces the viscosity of molasses
• Generally, viscosity reduces with temperature rise.
VISCOSITY AFFECTED BY PRESSURE
• Viscosity increases with the rise of pressure.
AFFECTS OF VISCOSITY
• A high viscosity liquid with more internal resistance to
flow, will cause more heat to be generated, than a low
viscous liquid.
• Higher the viscosity, thicker will be the oil film. This
affects lubricity.
• As a metal block moves, over a lubricant, the leading
edge rises, due to oil resistance, forming a wedge.
• The wedge would ward off attempts at penetration,
“Hydrodynamic Lubrication.”
• Viscosity affects hydrodynamic lubrication.
AFFECTS OF VISCOSITY CNTD…
AFFECTS OF VISCOSITY CNTD…
• Viscosity reduces leakage between clearances of close
fitting parts.
• Small portions of fluid continuously move in through
metal to metal seals and lubricate.
• Eg: between piston and bore, spool and valve body, gears
and housing.
• For the best seal, clearance is minimum, if too little, less
lubrication will cause heating, compromise between
sealing and lubrication, lubricant viscosity must be
appropriate.
VISCOSITY INDEX
• The relationship between temperature and viscosity are
plotted according to ASTM (American Society of
Testing Materials) standard.
• If a rapid change in viscosity is recorded with
temperature change, then the “Viscosity Index” is low.
(minimum 0).
• When fluctuations are minimum, the Index is high.
(Highest 100)
• For hydraulic applications, the index must exceed 90.
VISCOSITY INDEX CNTD…
OIL OPERATING RANGE
• In situations where temperature fluctuations are high, the
operating range of oils becomes important.
• Too high a viscosity will prevent the lubricant entering
clearances.
• Too low a viscosity will cause the film to be too thin.
• Therefore the operating range needs to be selected
according to the application.
OIL OPERATING RANGE CNTD…
POUR POINT
• Wax structures form, and petroleum oil does not flow at
very low temperatures.
• “Pour Point” is the lowest temperature at which the oil
will pour under ASTM conditions.
• For low temperature operating conditions, the pour point
must be at least 20 F below the lowest expected
temperature.
OIL PROBLEMS AND ADDITIVES
• High pressure lubrication, oil oxidation and
contamination cause problems.
• At high pressure, hydrodynamic wedge may break down.
Additives are added to oil to prevent this. These are anti-
wear additives.
• Oils may oxidize (combine with oxygen), and form weak
acids and soaps. Acids weaken surfaces and soap blocks
clearances.
• Oxidized oil adheres less, and feels like water when
touched between fingertips.
• Rust and oxidation inhibitors are also additives. Oils are
then referred to as R and O oils.
OIL PROBLEMS AND ADDITIVES CNTD…
• When air bubbles entrained in oil are not released when
entering the reservoir, foaming occurs.
• This oil causes noise and oxidation when re-circulated.
• Avoiding leaks in the system is one solution. Using
chemicals is another.
• Anti foam additives casue bubbles to join, become larger
and burst on oil surface.
• Air bubbles can be visually detected. An erratic high
pitch noise in the pump is another indication, like fire
crackers being lit in the pump. Erratic actuator
movements and gauge readings may result.
DIRT IN OIL
• Water, air and dirt are contaminants of oil.
• Dirt is insoluble and maybe produced as a result of
internal moving parts.
• Accumulate due to lack of servicing.
• Filters and regular maintenance will reduce dirt.
• When filter indicators show “Need service” maintenance
should be performed.
• If limits exceed, oil is made to by pass filter.`
MAINTENANCE
• Oil supply drums should be stored in clean dry places
with no rain water leaks.
• Wipe the drum cover before unplugging and confirm the
oil is correct before pouring.
• Regularly check oil level (minimum reached), leaks,
filters.
• Filters must be cleaned. Washing in hot soapy water and
blowing off with clean air. A soft (new) paint brush for
rubbing.
• Filters can be placed within an ultrasonic device.
Recommended for filters below 40 micrometers