Viscosity
It’s essential to choose the right type of lubricant for your vehicle. Oils with low viscosity will not form the best fluid film on metal-to-metal contact, increasing wear and heat and shortening the life of a component.
There are two basic types of viscosity. Kinematic viscosity refers to the resistance of a fluid to flow. It’s often quoted in data sheets. Absolute thickness refers to the fluid’s internal resistance to flow. It’s used in friction and the strength of an oil film to support a load.
Viscosity is important because the more viscous the oil is, the more difficult it is to pump it through an engine. High-viscosity oils can also cause cavitation, affecting the engine’s lubrication. If you need to figure out the viscosity of a lubricant, you can do a cold pumpability test. This test measures how resistant the oil is to pump through an engine after a cold start.
Oxidation and corrosion resistance
When choosing a lubricant for your vehicle, the oxidation and corrosion resistance of the product are very important. As temperature increases, the oxidation rate increases by as much as two times. This results in a thickening of the oil and the formation of corrosive acids and rust. In addition, oxidation resistance is affected by polar impurities, which are common in internal combustion engines. These impurities bind to metal surfaces, which accelerates rusting and the formation of corrosion.
To protect against oxidation and corrosion, consider using corrosion-resistant materials like bronze and copper. Copper is a naturally resistant metal and a good conductor of heat and electricity. Copper is also used in renewable energy systems, transmuting energy with less environmental impact.
A reliable lubricant supplier VA should be able to provide oxidation and corrosion protection that matches your equipment’s requirements. For example, ASTM D943 Turbine Oxidation Stability Test can help you choose an oil with excellent oxidation and corrosion resistance. The testing method involves heating the oil to 95 degrees Celsius with a catalyst and bubbling oxygen. The resulting oil is then monitored, and the total acid content is measured. The test is terminated when the oil reaches 2.0 mg KOH/g. This value indicates a long-life turbine oil.
Bulk storage
A trustworthy supplier of lubricants will have a wide range of goods appropriate for numerous industrial uses. Hydraulic fluids, compressor and vacuum pump fluids, gearbox and chain fluids, and multipurpose oils are a few examples of these goods. They should also provide ultra-high purity mineral oils for improved additive efficacy and longer shelf life. These products often require specialized industrial compounds that need to be added to them to achieve optimum performance. They will maintain and utilize facilities that meet local quality standards. These facilities should be large enough to store, process, and handle lubricants. A warehouse will help prevent common errors and accidents, such as mixing orders. The facility should be free of contamination.
Choosing a lubricant supplier can be a complex process. There are many factors to consider, and each company needs to prioritize based on its needs. When selecting a lubricant supplier, focus on five essential areas: Application Expertise, Diverse Chemistry, Supply Reliance, Risk Abatement, and Ability to Serve.
Managing a lubricant supplier’s lube list
A single source of lubricants will provide some key benefits, including reduced complexity and cost. It may also offer opportunities to improve efficiency across the site and regional locations. Managing a lubricant supplier’s lube list should include a life cycle costing approach.
Selecting a suitable lubricant is essential for the maximum performance of equipment. However, this process can be complicated by the presence of more than one supplier, variable purchasing decisions, or an inadequate understanding of the application. Even if a lubricant is labeled the same as another, it can differ in manufacturing location, formulation, or performance. Therefore, it’s critical to carefully evaluate the application before selecting the lubricant.
A good lubricant supplier should be able to offer a wide range of chemical solutions. A diverse toolbox is essential for some companies, while others may not require numerous solutions. However, working with a supplier that offers the appropriate chemistry solutions and formulation expertise is necessary.
