Describe, with reasons, FIVE properties required of lubricating oil.
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Properties Required of Lubricating Oil
Lubricating oil plays a critical role in the performance and longevity of machinery. To fulfill its functions effectively, it must possess several essential properties:
1. Lubrication Practices to Keep Your Farm Equipment Running – Gaubert Oil
Physical Properties
- Viscosity: The oil’s resistance to flow. It determines the oil film thickness and affects lubrication efficiency. 1. Oil Viscosity: A Practical Guide – Precision Lubrication Magazine precisionlubrication.com2. The Importance of Lubricant Film Strength www.machinerylubrication.com
- Viscosity Index: Measures the change in viscosity with temperature. A high VI indicates minimal viscosity change. 1. Understanding the viscosity index of a lubricant – Q8Oils www.q8oils.com
- Pour Point: The lowest temperature at which the oil will flow.
- Flash Point: The temperature at which the oil vapor ignites. 1. Guide to Flash Point, Fire Point, and Auto-Ignition Temperature – Fluid Solutions fluidsolutions.com.ph
- Fire Point: The temperature at which the oil continuously burns.
Chemical Properties
- Oxidation Stability: Resistance to breakdown by heat and oxygen. 1. WearCheck FYI – Oxidation and Oxy-polymerization of Oils wearcheck.com
- Detergency and Dispersancy: The ability to keep engine parts clean by suspending contaminants. 1. How do oil additives work? | Motorists – TotalEnergies UK totalenergies.co.uk
- Corrosion Prevention: Protects metal surfaces from corrosion. 1. Understanding Lubricant Physical Properties and Chemistry – Jet-Lube www.jetlube.com
- Anti-wear Properties: Reduces wear and tear on engine components. 1. Enhance Your Engine’s Performance: Why Should I Use Engine Oil Additives? www.wynns.eu
- Anti-foam Properties: Prevents excessive foaming, which can affect lubrication.
- Demulsibility: Ability to separate from water. 1. Understanding Lubricant Physical Properties and Chemistry – Jet-Lube www.jetlube.com
Additional Properties
- Shear Stability: Resistance to changes in viscosity under high shear stress. 1. Shear stability of oil – ADDINOL addinol.de
- Pour Point Depressant: Additive that lowers the pour point. 1. Pour Point Depressant Additives – Afton Chemical www.aftonchemical.com
- Anti-wear and Extreme Pressure (EP) Additives: Enhance the oil’s ability to protect against wear and high loads. 1. Extreme Pressure and Anti-Wear Additives – Afton Chemical www.aftonchemical.com
- Detergent and Dispersant Additives: Help to keep the engine clean.
- Anti-oxidant Additives: Prevent oil degradation. 1. Antioxidant Additives in Lubricants www.nyelubricants.com
- Corrosion Inhibitors: Protect metal surfaces from corrosion. 1. Corrosion Inhibitors in Lubricants Protect Your Investments – Pack Logix pack-logix.com
- Foam Inhibitors: Reduce foam formation. 1. Lubrication Foam Inhibitors & Defoamers – Afton Chemical www.aftonchemical.com
The specific properties required for a lubricating oil depend on the application and operating conditions.