Chapter Two

Lubricants & Mechanism of Lubrication

November 2022

By : Behailu Mamo
 Definition

LUBRICANTS
The substances which are used to decrease the
force of friction between the moving parts of
machine in contact are known as Lubricants and
the process of decreasing the force of friction
between the moving parts of machine in contact is
known as Lubrication.
Cont…

• Friction - is created when there is relative

motion between two surfaces

• Resistance to motion is defined as friction

• Lubrication is use of a material between

surfaces to reduce friction

• Any material used is called a lubricant
 Methods of lubrication

Two main methods

Hydrodynamic lubrication

Boundary lubrication

Hydrodynamic lubrication
Also called complete or full flow

Occurs when two surfaces are completely

separated by a fluid film

Cont…

Boundary lubrication
Occurs when Hydrodynamic lubrication fails.

By adsorption or chemical reaction

Types of Lubricant
Physical
Liquid
 Typical lubricants are liquid/fluids
 Mineral oil or synthetic oils

Solid
 Graphite, MoS2

Semi solid
 Greases

Gases
 Atomized stroke oils
Lubricant - Components

 Base Oils

Mineral by-products of crude oil refining process.

Base oils are polymerized or synthesized further and

called synthetic

 Additives

Natural

Synthetic
Types of Lubricant Cont…
 Application

 Engine oils

 Gear Oils

 Turbine Oils

 Hydraulic Oils

 Metal working oils

 Cutting oils
 Forming Oils
 Rust preventives
Application Cont…

Heat Transfer Oils

Heat Treatment Oils

 Quenching Oils
 Tempering Oils

Refrigeration Oils

Rubber Process Oils

Ink process Oils

Function of a lubricant

Lubricate - Reduce friction

Cooling - Heat transfer

Cleaning - Detergency

Noise pollution - dampening

Sealing – prevent leakage

Protection – prevent wear

Lubricate – reduce friction
 The effects of friction

• Metal to metal contact

• Leads to wear and tear

• Generates heat

• Results in Power loss

 Lubricant reduces friction by forming a film

• Reduces ill effect of friction

 Lubricate – Cooling
 When fuel is burnt in an engine

• 33% is useful power

• 33% removed by cooling water

• 33% by lube oil , out moving air , and radiation

 Lube oil removes heat from all areas and brings it

to the engine sump.

 Improper cooling can lead to over heating, lead to

wear, distortion and failure.

 Lubricate – Cleaning
Cleans carbon and varnish deposits

Flushes the entire system removing

• Soot

• Deposits

• Acids

• Wear products

• Moisture

Removes external contaminants dust, moisture (external)

Lubricate – Noise reduction

Reduce noise

• By preventing metal to metal contact

Dampens noise

• As between camshaft and tappet

Lubricate – Sealing

Oil film

• Between piston ring and liner

• Helps in creating a gas tight seal

Lubricate –Protection

Protection against acids and moisture

Very important to increase life of component and

equipment
Properties of lubricants

Kinematic viscosity

Viscosity index

Pour Point

Flash Point

Total Base Number (TBN)

Kinematic viscosity

• Measure of internal resistance to flow

• “Thickness” of fluid (in laymen terms)

• Decreases with increase in temperature

• Important in lubricant selection

• Increase in used oil indicates oxidation

• Specified at 40˚C and 100˚C

• Measured in Centi Stokes (CSt)

Kinematic Viscosity - Recommendations
 Low Viscos oils used

• High speeds

• Low pressure

• Low temperature

 High Viscos oils used

• Low speeds

• High pressure

• High temperature
 Viscosity index
 Measure of fluids change of

viscosity with temperature.

 Empirical number

 Higher the VI lower will be

the change of viscosity with

temperature
 Indicator of temperature

range of operations
 Pour Point
 Lowest temperature at which the fluid will flow

 Indicates lowest operating temperature

 Measured in ˚C
Flash Point

 Lowest temperature at which the vapor above the liquid will

ignite under flame

 Indicated safe maximum temperature of operation.

 Indicator of volatility

 Test method – COC (Cleveland Open Cup)

and PMCC (Pensky Martens Closed Cup)

 Measured in ˚C
 Flash Point…..cont
 FIRE POINT

The fire point of a fuel is the lowest temperature at which the vapour of that fuel
will continue to burn for at least 5 seconds after ignition by an open flame. At the
flash point, a lower temperature, a substance will ignite briefly, but vapor might
not be produced at a rate to sustain the fire.

 IGNITION TEMPERATURE

Unlike with flash points, the ignition temperature does not need an ignition
source. In other words, the ignition temperature is the lowest temperature at
which a volatile material will be vaporised into a gas which ignites without the
help of any external flame or ignition source. As a result, the ignition temperature
is of course higher than the flash point.
 Total Base Number (TBN)
Measured the acid neutralizing reserve in oil.

Important for deciding discard of oil

Decreases due to

 Oxidation of oil

 Water contamination

 Fuel contamination

 Total Base Number (TBN) is a measurement of basicity that is expressed in terms of the

equivalent number of milligrams of potassium hydroxide per gram of oil sample (mg
KOH/g).
 Measured in mg KOH/gm of oil
 What are additives

Lubricant additives

Classified on their functional

capability
 Enhance existing property
 Suppress undesirable
property
 Impart new property
 Planning a lubrication maintenance system

 When planning a lubrication system for a plant, the following techniques for

sorting the work to be done are helpful.

 Divide the work in terms of the frequency of lubricant application.

 Divide the work by method of application and lubricant grade.

 Consider the optimum route for the lubrication personnel.

By tabulating the data in this way, simple work loads can be

established.

 The personnel carrying out the lubrication should report back machine

defects and the planned lubrication system can be used to initiate repair
work.
 Lubrication instructions

 Lubrication points should be marked differently for the working ease

of operator.
 Lubrication instructions should be clear and easily understandable by
lubricating personnel. The procedures involved includes:

I. The machine lubricating frequency should be set..

II. Cleaning and lubrication of machine should be done,

preferably by operator himself.

 In this case, random checks have to be performed so as to

eliminate negligence by operator.

 Cont…
At the start of the shift:

machine should be cleaned;

moving parts like grind ways, screws, feed shafts should be lubricated

oil level should be checked.

At the end of the shift:

machine should be cleaned off chips, dust, foreign materials,….

exposed parts must be lubricated to prevent rusting.

Periodically

oil reservoirs, containers of oil including systems should be cleaned and filled up to level;

replacement of oil should be done. Topping up of oils should be discouraged as much as

possible.
 Thank You
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questions