Properties of Lubricant

Properties of lubricants
Viscosity
Pour Point
Flash Point
Total Base Number (TBN)
Corrosion Inhibition
Extreme Pressure Loading Property (EP)
Detergency
Anti-rust Property
Oxidation Stability
Viscosity
This indicates the resistance of a liquid to flow.
Viscosity changes with temperature.

Viscosity index
Measure of fluids change of viscosity with
temperature.

Higher the VI lower will be the change of viscosity
with temperature

Kinematic Viscosity -
Recommendations
Low Viscosity oils used
High speeds
Low pressure
Low temperature
High Viscosity oils used
Low speeds
High pressure
High temperature


Pour Point
Pour Point
Lowest temperature at which the fluid
will flow
Indicates lowest operating
temperature
Measured in C




Flash Point
Flash Point
Lowest temperature at which the vapor
above the liquid will ignite under flame
Indicated safe maximum temperature of
operation.
Measured in C




Anti-rust Property
Water may seep into the lubricating system
and cause rusting of machine parts.

Anti-rust additives can be absorbed onto metal
surface and prevent moisture from coming
into contact with the metal, thus preventing
rusting.
Lubricant Specialist
Total Base Number (TBN)
Total Base Number (TBN)
Measured the acid neutralizing
reserve in oil.
Important for deciding discard of oil
Decreases due to
Oxidation of oil
Water contamination
Fuel contamination
Measured in Mg KOH/gm of oil






Corrosion Inhibition
Acidic materials in oil can cause
corrosion of machine parts.

Corrosion can be minimized by
the additives of corrosion inhibitor
that reacts with metal to form a
protective layer separating the
acidic materials and the metal.

Lubricant Specialist
Detergency
Most engine oils contain detergent
and dispersant additives to
prevent dirty particular produced
by incomplete combustion from
accumulating and plating metal
surface.

Lubricant Specialist
Extreme Pressure Loading
Property (EP)
Heavy loading, extreme pressure and intense
heat may cause machine moving parts to melt
and weld together, hence interfering motion.

The extreme-pressure additive in oil can react
with the metal to form a compound with low
melting point. The intense heat developed due
to the extreme-pressure loading will be
dissipated in the melting of the compound
instead of welding the two metallic parts.

Lubricant Specialist
Oxidation Stability
Oxidation of oil will produce resins
and sludge that may plug filters
and oil passages.
Oxidation can also produce soluble
organic acids that may cause
corrosion of machine parts.
A good lubricating oil should resist
oxidation.

Lubricant Specialist
Thank you