GEAR OIL

Function of a gear lubricant:

1. To Lubricate: Reduce friction and wear by separating surfaces with a

liquid (or solid) film.
2. To Cool: Remove heat generated by friction, churning, winding and from
external sources.
3. To Protect: Against ingress of dirt, other contaminants and against
corrosion.

Requirements & Properties:

1. Load carrying performance: Enhanced protection against wear means:

 Sufficient film thickness at high temperature
 Durable anti-wear performance at extended oil drain intervals
2. Good pitting resistance: Load carrying capacity: wear (several types),
pitting and micro pitting.
3. Corrosion prevention: Rust( with/without water), yellow metals.

Anti-wear:

 If we study the motion on a set of gears, there is a combination of sliding

and rolling motion. This will apply for almost any type of gear.
 A set of perfectly matched gears can have as much as 5/8 of the contact
surface as a sliding interface and subsequently, the remaining 3/8 is a
rolling motion.
 It goes without saying that the sliding motion is the most dangerous one,
in relation to wear.
 As mentioned, the viscosity may not be sufficient alone to establish a
protective oil film, and the need for other means of protection arises.
 This is where the EP and anti-wear additives are the keys, as they form a
protective layer on the gear base metal.
 It is done by a chemical reaction or triggered by heat that occurs at the
local hot spots where the base metals come in contact with each other.
Micro-pitting:

 Appearance:
 Fine surface pits,”gray staining”, “frosting”.
 Often follows grinding marks.
 Occurs in tooth root area (dedends).

 Symptoms:
 Increased noise
 Rapid wear, profile loss, ultimately tooth breakage.
 Power transmission losses.

 Dependencies:
 Gear design, tip relief.
 Degree of sliding.
 Surface roughness; gear finishing.
 Material hardness; nature of case.
 Loading; downsizing
 Surface treatment, surface coatings.
 Lubricant.

Contamination:

 Some gear oils can be sensitive to contamination, causing sludge

formation, emulsion, foaming etc.
 Some gear oils are particularly sensitive to water contamination, and care
should be taken while using in areas where there is a high risk of water
contamination.
 Deck equipment like mooring winches should be checked frequently
using the drain plug, to check for water.
 The sludge formation on the bottom of the oil reservoir can clog suction
strainers and pipes.
 The sludge can be difficult to identify at the drain, as it very viscous and
also difficult to see visually from an inspection hole/cover.
 As the sludge can contain (salt) water, it also promotes corrosion the
bottom plating of the equipment.