Lubricant

Lubrication (History)

The first principle of lubricant was primary analyzed by Sir Isaac Newton in, (1642-1727), then it was followed by a seires of great scientist; in (1842-1912) Osborne Reynolds, in (1868-1951) Arnold Somerfield and in (1861-1950) Richard Stribeck respectively.

Material

In lubrication oil, there are many component embedded inside which makes up the whole oil. One of the main components of the oil is called the lube oil. It was derived, or refined if you might, a raw fossil fuel that accumulated in the oil well many million years ago. The colors of the oil are mainly darkly-viscously black, with some yellow along with it. These are, of course, very volatile and very flammable (as you already known) combinations of a mixture of many as hundred-thousand hydrocarbons. Some of you might already wonder “what the heck are hydrocarbons?” simply they are compounds of Carbon and Hydrogen which were found inside fossil fuel.

As I mentioned lube oil, it is actually the reference from lubricant oil, which is a substance that introduce on, or between two moveable substances to decrease its instantaneous friction, this then increases their efficiency.

Generally, lubricant oil contain 90% base oil, this base oil is mostly a fraction from petroleum that is mineral oil, other 10% are additives. Base oil which is commonly use are vegetable oil as well as other synthertic liquid such hydrogenated polyolefin, esters, silicones, fluorocarbons and many other are sometimes used as base oils.

Additionally, additives in the lube oil are use to reduce friction and wear, increase viscosity, improve viscosity index, resistance to corrosion and oxidation, some aging or contamination. High grade lubricants are usually formulated with additives that form chemical bond with surfaces to prevent corrosion and rust.

Types of lubricants

-Gas

-Liquid including emulsions and suspensions

-Solid

-Greases

-Adhesive

Gaseous lubricants

As you can see from the title, yes it does come in gaseous form. In gaseous lubricant, the viscosity is a lot lower it also has high compressibility compare with liquid, with fluid film principles applicable to gases. Some of the example of the liquid lubricant are; air lubricant use in fluid bearing, technical gases, steam or liquid-metal vapors.

Liquid lubricants

The most abundance commercially of the lubricant is the liquid form; this liquid lubricant can be characterized in many aspects. The most common way is to characterize it by it’s type of base oil used.


-Lanolin (wool grease, natural water repellant)

-Water

-Mineral oils

-Vegetable (natural oil)

-Synthetic oils

-Other liquids

Lanolin

A natural water repellent, lanolin is derived from sheep wool grease, and is an alternative to the more common petro-chemical based lubricants. This lubricant is also a corrosion inhibitor, protecting against rust, salts, and acids.


Water

Water can be used on its own, or as a major component in combination with one of the other base oils. Commonly used in engineering processes, such as milling and lathe turning.


Solid lubricants

One of the well known solid lubricant is Teflon or PTFE is use for the coating layer like in cooking utensils, this will give a non sticking surface. The usable temperature is about 300°C and it is an inert compound, this makes it a common additive in many ways. Under very high pressure, Teflon powder or solids has low usage as it would flow away from the contacting area. There for a ceramic or metal or alloy lubricant is use with it.
In non-metal lubricant, Graphite, hexagonal boron nitride, molybdenum disulfide and tungsten disulfide are examples of materials that can be used as solid lubricants. This is often use in high temperature.

For metal alloy, the compound and the pure metal can be use as grease additives of sliding surfaces and bearing. Cadmium and Gold are use for plating surfaces which makes them good corrosion resistance and sliding properties.

Application by fluid types

-Automotive

-Engine oils

-Petrol (Gasoline) engine oils

-Diesel rengine oils

-Automatic transmission fluid

-Gearbox fluids

-Brake fluids

-Hydraulic fluids

-Tractor (one lubricant for all systems)

-Universal Tractor Transmission Oil – UTTO

-Super Tractor Oil Universal – STOU – includes engine

-Other motors

-2-stroke engine oils

-Industrial

-Hydraulic oils

-Air compressor oils

-Gas Compressor oils

-Gear oils

-Bearing and circulating system oils

-Refrigerator compressor oils

-Steam and gas turbine oils

-Aviation

-Gas turbine engine oils

-Piston engine oils

-Crosshead cylinder oils

-Crosshead Crankcase oils

-Trunk piston engine oils

-Stern tube lubricants