A Few Common Sense Tips for Selecting Industrial Lubricants—Let’s Take a Look!

发布时间：2022年01月08日 15:11

The selection of lubricating oils is a crucial step in the use of lubricants, serving as the key to ensuring proper equipment lubrication and fully harnessing the performance of the lubricant. 1. When selecting lubricating oils, one should comprehensively consider the following three factors: (1) The actual operating conditions of the mechanical equipment (i.e., service conditions); (2) The specifications or recommendations provided by the manufacturer of the mechanical equipment; (3) The regulations or recommendations issued by the lubricant manufacturer. 2. Selection of Lubricant Performance Indicators: (1) Viscosity: Viscosity is an indicator used for classifying and grading various lubricating oils, playing a decisive role in quality identification and determination. The viscosity of lubricating oil for equipment should be determined by consulting relevant charts based on design or calculated data. (2) Pour Point: The pour point is an indirect indicator of the low-temperature fluidity of lubricating oils during storage, transportation, and use. Experience has shown that the operating temperature of most lubricating oils must be 5–10°C higher than their pour point. (3) Flash Point: The flash point is primarily an indicator of safety during the storage, transportation, and use of lubricating oils; it also serves as a control parameter during production to monitor the distillation range and volatility of the lubricant. The principle for specifying the flash point of lubricating oils is to leave a safety margin of half the specified value according to safety regulations—meaning the flash point should be at least half higher than the actual operating temperature. For example, since the oil temperature in the sump of internal combustion engine oils generally does not exceed 120°C, the flash point of internal combustion engine oils is set below 180°C. (4) Selection of Performance Indicators: There are numerous performance indicators, with significant differences among various types of oils. Therefore, the selection should be made reasonably, taking into account the equipment’s operating conditions, the manufacturer’s requirements, and the product specifications and descriptions. The goal is to meet both lubrication technical requirements and economic feasibility. Substitution of Lubricating Oils: 1. Different types of lubricating oils each have their own unique or distinctive performance characteristics. Thus, it is essential to select lubricating oils correctly and appropriately, avoiding substitutions altogether and strictly prohibiting random substitutions. 2. Principles for Substituting Lubricating Oils: (1) Whenever possible, substitute with oils of the same type or with similar performance characteristics. (2) The viscosities of the substituting oils should be comparable; the viscosity of the substituting oil should not deviate from that of the original oil by more than ±15%. Preference should be given to oils with slightly higher viscosity for substitution. (3) Substitute with oils of higher quality whenever possible. (4) When selecting substitute oils, also pay attention to the equipment’s environmental conditions and operating temperatures. Mixing of Lubricating Oils: 1. It is best to avoid mixing oils of different grades, from different manufacturers, or between new and old oils. The following oils are prohibited from being mixed: (1) Military special oils and dedicated lubricants must not be mixed with other oils. (2) Oils requiring anti-emulsification properties must not be mixed with oils that do not require such properties. (3) Anti-ammonia turbine oils must not be mixed with other turbine oils. (4) Zinc-containing anti-wear hydraulic oils must not be mixed with anti-silver hydraulic oils. (5) Gear oils must not be mixed with worm gear oils. 2. Internal combustion engine oils often contain a wide variety of additives in large quantities, with varying performance characteristics. Caution is required when mixing oils whose performance characteristics are unknown, to avoid adverse consequences or even equipment lubrication accidents.

Selection of Lubricants

The selection of lubricants is a crucial step in lubricant usage, serving as the key to ensuring proper equipment lubrication and fully leveraging the performance of the lubricant.

1. When selecting lubricating oil, the following three factors should be considered comprehensively:

⑴ The operating conditions (i.e., service conditions) under which the mechanical equipment is actually used;

⑵ As specified or recommended in the manufacturer’s instruction manual for mechanical equipment;

⑶ Regulations or recommendations from lubricant manufacturers.

2. Selection of Lubricant Performance Indicators

⑴ Viscosity: Viscosity is an indicator used for classifying and grading various lubricating oils, and it plays a decisive role in quality identification and determination. The viscosity of lubricating oils for equipment should be selected based on design or calculation data, as determined by consulting relevant charts.

⑵ Pour Point: The pour point is an indirect indicator of the low-temperature fluidity of lubricating oils during storage, transportation, and use. Experience has shown that the operating temperature of most lubricating oils must be 5 to 10°C higher than their pour point.

⑶ Flash Point: The flash point is primarily an indicator of the safety of lubricating oil during storage, transportation, and use; it also serves as a criterion for controlling the distillation range and volatility of lubricating oils during production. The principle underlying the specification of the flash point for lubricating oils is to leave a safety margin of half the value, meaning the flash point should be 1/2 higher than the actual operating temperature. For example, since the maximum oil temperature in the crankcase of internal combustion engine oils does not exceed 120℃, the flash point of internal combustion engine oils is specified to be at least 180℃.

⑷ Selection of performance indicators: There are many performance indicators, and the differences among various types can be substantial. Therefore, the selection should be made reasonably by taking into account the equipment’s operating conditions, the manufacturer’s requirements, as well as the oil product specifications and descriptions. The goal is to strike a balance between meeting lubrication technical requirements and ensuring economic feasibility.

Lubricant substitutes

1. Different types of lubricating oils each have their own unique or distinct performance characteristics. Therefore, it is essential to select the appropriate lubricant correctly and reasonably, avoid substituting one type for another, and absolutely prohibit random or improper substitutions.

2. Principles for Substituting Lubricating Oils

⑴ As much as possible, use the same type of oil or an oil with similar performance as a substitute.

⑵ The viscosities must be comparable; the viscosity of the substitute oil should not exceed that of the original oil by more than ±15%. Priority should be given to using a substitute oil with slightly higher viscosity.

⑶ Replace lower-quality products with higher-quality ones.

⑷ When selecting substitute oils, you should also take into account the equipment’s environmental conditions and operating temperature.

Mixing of lubricants

1. Different grades, different manufacturers, and new versus used oils should be avoided from being mixed as much as possible. The following oil products are prohibited from being mixed:

⑴ Military special oils and dedicated lubricants must not be mixed with other types of oil.

⑵ Oils with anti-emulsification requirements must not be mixed with oils that do not have such requirements.

⑶ Ammonia-resistant turbine oil must not be mixed with other turbine oils.

⑷ Zn-containing anti-wear hydraulic oil must not be mixed with silver-resistant hydraulic oil.

⑸ Gear oil must not be mixed with worm gear oil.

2. Internal combustion engine oils contain a wide variety of additives in relatively large quantities, each with different performance characteristics. It is crucial to exercise caution when mixing oils whose performance characteristics are not fully understood, as improper mixing could lead to adverse consequences or even lubrication failures in equipment.

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