Lubrications

Topic Outline
OVERVIEW OF THE TOPIC Properties and characteristics of lubricating oils vary with the oil type.
An oil with the correct specifications must always be used in each
engine because use of the wrong oil could lead to damaged or failed
engine components. With that caution in mind, con­sider the following
discussion on oil properties and the various oil types. Typical
applications of the dif­ferent oil types are discussed, as well as the
methods used to grade aircraft engine oils.
 

LEARNING OUTCOMES Given setting with minimal supervision the students will know following:
1. To Recognize and explain fundamental operational principles of the lubrication
system in aircraft.
2. To identify the principles and functions of each oil used in aircraft.

TERM PRELIM
WEEK 4.5WEEKS
TIME ALLOTMENT 1 hr/week
CONTENTS
1. ENGINE LUBRICATING OILS

TOPIC 1
 FUNCTIONS OF LUBRICATING OIL
FUNCTIONS OF LUBRICATING OIL
 Lubricating oil is often considered to be the
life blood of an engine. Without it, the friction
and wear pro­duced between moving parts
would cause an engine to wear at a very rapid
rate. In addition to reducing friction,
lubricating oil is responsible for removing a
great deal of engine heat. In fact, without an
ample supply of oil, most reciprocating
engines will overheat.
REDUCE FRICTION

 Many of the metal parts inside an aircraft engine have

surfaces which appear smooth to the naked eye. However, if
you were to microscopically examine those same parts, you
would see a rather rough surface consisting of several peaks
and valleys. When those engine parts rub against one
another, the resulting friction soon wears away the metal.
 In order to reduce this friction, a film of lubrication oil is
placed between the moving parts. Oil wets the surfaces, fills
in the valleys, and holds the metal surfaces apart as long as
the oil film remains unbro­ken. The engine parts then slide
over each other on a film of oil rather than grind together.
Therefore, friction is reduced and part wear is minimized
 Engine parts that appear smooth to the naked
eye reveal rough surfaces under a
microscope. Lubricating oil separates these
surfaces and minimizes wear.
example
 ABSORBS HEAT
 In addition to reducing friction and wear, oil absorbs some
of the heat produced by combustion as it circulates through
the engine. The pistons and cylinder walls are especially
dependent on lubricating oil for cooling. However, once the
oil heats up, a means of cooling the oil must be provided.
Therefore, several engine lubrication systems con­tain an oil
cooler. An oil cooler is basically a heat exchanger that
transfers the heat contained in the oil to the outside air.
SEALS
 Oil also exhibits excellent wetting characteristics
because the oil film has an ability to evenly coat
metal surfaces. This characteristic of oil makes it
a good sealing agent between moving parts. For
example, the oil film on cylinder walls forms an
effective seal with the piston rings in a cylinder.
This helps prevent gas leakage during the
combustion process.
example
CUSHIONS
 The same characteristic of oil that
makes it a good sealing agent also
provides a cushioning effect
between metal parts.
 For example, the thin film of oil
between a rocker arm and its
bushing absorbs some of the
hammering shock from the valve
action. The cushioning action also
helps reduce some of the impact
force between a crankshaft and its
connecting rods.
CLEANS
 The oil in a lubrication system also reduces engine
wear by serving as a cleaning agent. As the oil
circulates, it picks up foreign particles such as dirt,
dust, carbon, and small amounts of water. These
particles are held in suspension by the oil and carried
to a filter where they are trapped and removed.
PROTECTS AGAINST CORROSION
 Metal engine parts which are exposed to moist air
and various chemicals have a tendency to rust or
form other types of surface corrosion. This is
especially true for cylinder walls and crankshafts
which have been hardened by nitriding. The oil film
which coats internal engine parts acts as a barrier,
prevent­ing oxygen and moisture from reaching the
metal surface and causing it to corrode
 Book and other References:
 Lubrication by Jeppesen Sandderson