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Lubricant Oil System Maintenance
Lubricant Oil System Maintenance
Properties[edit]
A good lubricant generally possesses the following characteristics:
A high boiling point and low freezing point (in order to stay liquid within a wide range of
temperature)
A high viscosity index
Thermal stability
Hydraulic stability
Demulsibility
Corrosion prevention
A high resistance to oxidation
Formulation[edit]
Typically lubricants contain 90% base oil (most often petroleum fractions, called mineral oils) and
less than 10% additives. Vegetable oils or synthetic liquids such as
hydrogenated polyolefins, esters, silicones, fluorocarbons and many others are sometimes used as
base oils. Additives deliver reduced friction and wear, increased viscosity, improved viscosity index,
resistance to corrosion and oxidation, aging or contamination, etc.
Non-liquid lubricants include powders (dry graphite, PTFE, molybdenum disulphide, tungsten
disulphide, etc.), PTFE tape used in plumbing, air cushion and others. Dry lubricants such as
graphite, molybdenum disulphide and tungsten disulphide also offer lubrication at temperatures (up
to 350 °C) higher than liquid and oil-based lubricants are able to operate. Limited interest has been
shown in low friction properties of compacted oxide glaze layers formed at several hundred degrees
Celsius in metallic sliding systems, however, practical use is still many years away due to their
physically unstable nature.