INTRODUCTION TO

LUBRICANTS
Even very polished surfaces have small ups and downs. The peaks are known as asperities and the downs are known as valleys. When two solids rub against each other a real contact between the asperities take place.

INTRODUCTION

(CONTDt)

Even under moderate conditions two solids rub against each other and cause destruction. This process known as friction. Friction is the resistance offered by two moving surfaces.

During this process following effects are observed: Interlocking of the asperities Ploughing or destruction of the soft material by the hard material.

LUBRICANT

A substance introduced between two sliding (moving) surfaces to reduce friction between surfaces is lubricant.

LUBRICATION

Process of reducing friction between two sliding surfaces by introducing a lubricant between them is lubrication.

LUBRICANT FUNCTIONS
Reduces wear & tear Reduces heat generated between sliding surfaces. Reduces loss of energy and increases machine efficiency. Makes the movement between parts smooth. Reduces maintenance cost of machine. Acts as a seal between cylinder and piston of I.C. engine. Acts as coolant.

CLASSIFICATION
LUBRICANTS

LIQUID LUBRICANTS

SEMI SOLID LUBRICANTS

SOLID LUBRICANTS

EXAMPLES
Liquid Lubricants:
Mineral Oil, Petroleum Oil, Vegetable Oil etc.

Semi Solid Lubricants:

Petroleum jellies

Solid Lubricants:
Graphite, Molybdenum Disulphide etc.

A good lubricating oil should have

 High boiling point  Adequate Viscosity  Low freezing point

 High oxidation resist

 Non Corrosive properties

 Good thermal stability

 Mechanism of lubrication : Fluid film or thick film or hydrodynamic lubrication : a thick film of lubricant is maintained between two contact surfaces. Metal surface to metal surface contact is avoided. Resistance to movement of parts is due to friction between fluid layers. Lubricant with minimum viscosity is used. Lubricant should stay between surfaces. Used for moderate speeds and loads. Appli : Sweing m/c s, Journal bearing, watches, clocks, guns, scientific instruments. Hydro carbon oils are used as lubricants.

 Boundary lubrication (thin film lubrication) : Lubricant film thickness is low. Film is not maintained continuously. The lubricant layer is adsorbed on one or on both the metal surfaces, hence load is carried by adsorbed lubricant layer. Coefficient of friction is 0.05 to 0.15 Vegetable and animal oils and their soaps are used as lubricants Graphite and molybdenium disulphide is also used. For boundary lubrication the lubricants should have high viscosity index, resistance to heat and oxidation, good oiliness.

Extreme Pressure lubrication : Used at high speeds under heavy loads Special additives (extreme pressure additives) are added React with metals and form metallic chlorides, sulphides etc. are formed. To withstand high loads and temperature.

Properties of Lubricants : Viscosity : It is the property of fluid, which resist it s own flow. F = nv/d F = force per unit area n = viscosity coefficient v= velocity d= distance between two layers. Viscosity decreases with increase in temp. Viscosity Index : The rate at which viscosity decreases with temperature is ed by V.I.= L-U/L-H*100 If the viscosity is affected slowly by increase in temperature then V.I. is high. It is calculated by taking two std oils paraffin based pennysyl vanian (V.I=100) naphthaline base Gulf oil (V.I = 100)

 Viscosity is measured by using Red wood viscometer and saybolt viscometers. Red wood I is used for less viscous or thin lubricanting oils and redwood II for high viscous substances. Redwood I has a jet of bove diameter 1.62 mm and length 10 mm. Redwood II 3.8 MM ; 15 MM Description : Working : 2. Flash & Fire points : Def :flashpoint is the lowest temp at which the oil lubricant gives off enough vapors that ignite for a moment when a thin flame is brought near it. Fire point is the lowest temp at which the vapors of the oil burn continuously for at least five seconds, when a tiny flame is brought near it. :

 Fire points are 5 to 40oc higher than the flashpoints. a good lubricant should have flashpoint least above the temp at which it is to be used. The flash and fire points are generally determined by using Pensky-Marten s apparatus. Working: Oil under examination is filled in the oil cup up to the mark and heated by the air bath by a burner. Stirrer is worked b/n tests at a rate of about 1 2 rev/sec. Heat is applied so as to raise the oil temp by about 5c/min. The temp at which distinct flash appeared in side the oil cup is recorded as flashpoint. The heating is continued to record the fire point.

 3. Could and pour points : When an oil is cooled slowly, the temp. at which it becomes cloudy or hazy in appearance is called cloud-point, while the temperature at which the oil cease to flow or pour is called pour point. Determination : Apparatus consists of flat bottomed test tube in which test sample is taken. This is enclosed with an air jacket. Air jacked is surrounded by freezing mix. Tube is half filled with oil. A thermometer is introduced into it. As cooling proceeds temperature falls. For every degree the tube is withdrawn and tested, and cloud point is recorded. To get pour point, oil is cooled continuously and examined for each 300C.