» Lubrication is simply the use of a material to

improve the smoothness if movement of one

surface over another; the material which is used in
this way is called a lubricant.

» Lubricants are used for

1. Friction reduction.
2. Heat Removal.
3. Suspension of contaminants.

» Lubricants are usually expected to reduce wear and

often to prevent overheating and corrosion.
» Lubricants are usually divided into four basic
classes
1. Oils: A general term used to cover all liquid
lubricants, whether they are mineral oils, natural
oils, synthetics, emulsions, or even process fluids.
2. Greases: Technically these are oils, which contain
a thickening agent to make them semi-solid.
3. Dry lubricants: These include any lubricants
which are used in solid form, and may be bulky
solids, paint-like coatings, or loose powders.
4. Gases: The gas usually used in gas bearings is air,
but any gas can be used which will not attack the
bearings, or itself decompose.
» Lubricants are composed from Base oil and
Additives for certain functions.
» Base oil is classified to
1. Mineral base oil
2. Synthetic base oil
» Mineral Base Oil

The mineral oils used for lubrication were originally

just the fractions obtained by distilling petroleum,
which had a suitable viscosity for lubrication.

The chemical compounds which comprise mineral

oils, are mainly Hydrocarbons. The majority in any
lubricating oil is paraffin, The second most common
types are naphthenes, Finally, there is usually a small
proportion, perhaps two percent of aromatics.
» Mineral Base Oil
» Synthetic Base Oil

Many of the alternative types of oil are synthetic. They

are manufactured from various feedstocks by chemical
processes. There are different types of synthetic oil and
are very different from each other in their performance
and properties.

The widely-used synthetic oils include hydrocarbons, di-

esters, polyol esters, phosphate ester, silicones,
polyglycols, and- to a much smaller extent- polyphenyl
ethers and perfluoroalkyl polyethers.
» Synthetic Base Oil
» Characteristics of lubricating oil
» Definitions
Density: Mass of liquid per unit volume at 15°C and
101.325 kPa with the standard unit of measurement
being kilograms per cubic meter.

Dynamic viscosity: Measure of internal resistance. It

is the tangential force per unit area required to move
one horizontal plane with respect to another plane -
at unit velocity - when maintaining unit distance
apart in the fluid.
Dynamic viscosity units are N.s/m2, Pa.s or kg/(m.s)
Kinematic viscosity: Is the ratio of absolute (or
dynamic) viscosity to density a quantity in which no
force is involved.
Theoretical unit of kinematic viscosity is m2/s - or the
commonly used Stoke (St).

Flash point: Is the lowest temperature at which a

liquid can gives off vapor to form an ignitable mixture
in air near the surface of the liquid. The lower
the flash point, the easier it is to ignite the material.
Pour point: Is defined as the lowest temperature at
which the test fluid can be poured under the
prescribed test conditions. It is one of the properties
that determine the low temperature fluidity of a
lubricating oil.

Total Base Number (TBN): Is a measure of alkaline

concentration present in a lubricant. Engine oils are
formulated with alkaline additives in order to combat
the build-up of acids in a lubricant as it breaks down.
Viscosity Index (VI): Is an arbitrary, unit-less measure of a
fluids change in viscosity relative to temperature change. It is
mostly used to characterize the viscosity-temperature
behavior of lubricating oils. The higher the VI, the more
stable the viscosity remains over temperature fluctuations.
Copper strip corrosion:
This is a qualitative method that is used to determine the
level of corrosion of petroleum products. In this test, a
polished copper strip is suspended in the product and its
effect observed.
It detects the presence of harmful corrosive substances,
like acidic or sulfur compounds, which may corrode the
equipment.
» Lubrication Additives:

Lubricant additives are chemicals, nearly always

organic or organometallic, that are added to oils in
quantities of a few weight percent to improve the
lubricating capacity and durability of the oil.

The most common package of additives used in oil

formulations contains anti wear and extreme pressure
lubrication additives, corrosion inhibitors, anti-
oxidants, detergents, dispersants, VI improves, and
pour point depressants.
Anti wear and extreme pressure
Reacts chemically with metal surface to form a film with
lower shear strength than the metal, thereby preventing
metal to metal contact.

Corrosion inhibitors
Adsorption of polar constituent on metal surface to
provide protective film.

Anti-oxidants
Prevent deterioration of the lubricant associated with
oxygen attack by destruction of free radicals or interact
with peroxides involved in the oxidation mechanism.
Dispersants
Contaminants are attracted by polar dispersant molecules
and prevented from agglomeration.
VI improver
Polymers expand with increasing temperature to counteract
oil thinning and reduce the rate of viscosity change with
temperature.
Pour point depressant
Modify wax crystal formation to reduce interlocking to
Enable lubricant to flow at low temperatures.
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