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Topics to be discussed:
1. Introduction
2. Functions
3. Properties
Lets begin:
1. IntroductioN:
When you talk about lubricants, what comes to your mind is liquid. But,
lubricants are not just a liquid! When you walk on the road you see friction
between your shoes and road, because of which you dont fall down. Same is
the case between two machine parts, friction does take place between
working of two machine parts but it is necessary to reduce this friction for
proper working of machine. So what lubricants do is they reduce the friction or
remove the friction between this machine parts. So we can define lubricants
as substances used to reduce the friction between two moving or
sliding surfaces.
2. Functions:
Lubricant forms an oil film on the surface of metals, converting solid friction
into liquid friction to reduce friction, which is the most common and essential function
of lubricants. Reduced friction prevents heating and abrasion on the friction surface.
b.) Cooling
Friction certainly causes heating on the area and more heat is produced if
metals rub against each other. Therefore the heat needs to be absorbed or released;
otherwise the system is damaged or deformed. To prevent it, lubricants are applied.
Especially cooling is critical to rolling oils, cutting oils, and lubricating oils used in an
internal combustion engine.
d.) Cleaning
e.) Sealing
Metals produce rust when contacting water and oxygen. However, rust
formation can be controlled and the system lifetime is extended if the surface of
metals is coated with lubricating film.
3. Properties:
a.) Viscosity
The rate at which the viscosity of an oil changes with temperature is measured by an
arbitrary scale, known as the VISCOSITY-INDEX (V.I). If the viscosity of an oil falls
rapidly as the temperature is raised, it has a low viscosity index. On the other hand, if
viscosity of an oil is only slightly affected on raising the temperature, its viscosity index is
high.
DETERMINATION OF VISCOSITY INDEX: For this purpose, we use a series of two types of
standard oils. Paraffinic-base Pennysylvanian oils(V.I.=100) and napthanic-base Gulf
oils(V.I.=0). Against each of these is marked their viscosities at 100 F and 210 F. The
former are known as H-oils and later are known as L-oils.
STEP 1: The viscosities of the oil under-test at 100 F and also at 210 F are first found out,
Let this values be U and V respectively.
STEP 2: Now from the list of H-oils, the oil which has the same viscosity at 210 F as the oil
under test is selected, and its corresponding viscosity at 100 F is read off. Let it be H.
STEP 3: Now from the list of L-oils, the oil which has the same viscosity at 210 F as the oil
under test is selected, and its corresponding viscosity at 100 F is read off. Let it be L.
THEN ,
VISCOSITY INDEX(V.I.)=(L-U/L-H)*100
flash-point is the lowest temperature at which the oil lubricant gives off enough
vapours that ignite for a moment, when a tiny flame is brought near it; while fire-point is
the lowest temperature at which the vapours of the oil burn continuously at least for five
seconds, when a tiny flame is brought near it; in most of the cases, the fire-points are 5-40
degrees higher than the flash-point. The flash and fire-points do not have any bearing with
the lubricating property of the oil, but these are important when oil is exposed to high-
temperature service. A good lubricant should have flash-point atleast above the
temperature at which it is to be used. This safeguards against risks of fire, during the
use of lubricant. The flash and fire-points are, usually, determined by using Pensky-
Martens apparatus.
c.) Oiliness
e.) Emulsification
Emulsification is the property of oils to get mixed with water, forming a mixture called
as emulsion. Certain oils form emulsion with water easily. Emulsions have a tendancy to
collect dirt, foreign matter, etc. Therefore, a good lubricating oil should form an emulsion
with water which breaks off quickly.
It is the number of milligrams of KOH required to saponify(to convert fat into soap) 1
g of oil. Mineral oils do not saponify at all, but vegetable and animal oils do. This test helps
us to ascertain whether the oil under reference is animal and vegetable oil or mineral or a
compounded oil.
Lubricating oils must be stable at operating temperatures. Oils are usually broken up
by three chemical reactions viz. Oxidation, Hydrolysis, Pyrolysis. The harmful effects of
contamination of the lubricant by this decomposition process can be minimized by the use of
an efficient system of oil filtration and periodic change of oil.
Aniline point of an oil is defined as the minimum equilibrium solution temperature for
equal volumes of aniline and oil sample. Aniline point gives an indication of the possible
deterioration of oil in contact with rubber sealings, packings, etc. Lower aromatic content in
oil is preferred because aromatic hydrocarbons tend to dissolve the rubber. The temperature
at which the two phases (oil and aniline) separate out is recorded at the aniline point.
To judge the stability of a lubricant under conditions of very high pressure, etc.,
different mechanical tests are carried out. One of such tests is Four-balls extreme-
pressure lubricant test, in which lubricant under test is poured in a machine containing
four-balls. The lower three balls are stationery while upper ball I rotated. Load is gradually
increased and balls are examined at specific intervals for scale formation on them. If the
lubricant is satisfactory under the given load then the ball bearings appear to be clean after
the test. However, when the load is progressively increased, and if liberated heat welds the
balls together, then the lubricant is said to have failed completely. Thus this test helps us to
determine the maximum load that can be carried safely by a lubricant.