Lubricants

BITS Pilani
K K Birla Goa Campus

What is lubrication?
Friction - is created when there is relative motion
between two surfaces
Resistance to motion is defined as friction
Lubrication is use of a material between surfaces to
reduce friction
Any material used is called a lubricant
Lubrication is the process or technique employed to reduce friction

between, and wear of one or both, surfaces in proximity and moving

relative to each other, by interposing a substance called a lubricant
in between them.
BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Functions of lubricants

Reduces the frictional resistance.

Reduces wear & tear, surface deformation
Acts as a coolant
Provides protection against corrosion
Acts as a seal in some cases
Improves the efficiency of the machine

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Composition of lubricants
Typically lubricants contain 90% base oil (most often
petroleum fractions, called mineral oils) and less than
10% additives.
A true grease consists of an oil and/or other fluid
lubricant that is mixed with a thickener, typically a soap,
to form a semisolid.

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

High boiling point

Adequate Viscosity
Low freezing point
High oxidation resist
Non Corrosive properties
Good thermal stability

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Classification of
Lubricants

Liquid
Lubricants

Eg.Mineral Oil,
Petroleum Oil,
Vegetable Oil etc

Semi Solid
Lubricants

Eg. Greases

Solid Lubricants

Eg. Graphite,
Molybdenum
Disulphide etc.

Properties of lubricants
Viscosity
Measure of internal resistance to flow
Thickness of fluid (in laymen terms)
Decreases with increase in temperature

Viscosity index
Measure of fluids change of viscosity with temperature.
Higher the VI lower will be the change of viscosity with
temperature
Indicator of temperature range of operations

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Properties of lubricants
Pour Point
Lowest temperature at which the fluid will flow
Indicates lowest operating temperature

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

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Greases
What is grease?
A grease consists of an oil that is mixed with a thickener
to form a semisolid.
Greases are highly structured fluids
Possess a high initial viscosity which upon the
application of shear drops to give the effect of an oil
(Shear thinning)

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Properties of greases
Viscoelasticity

The property of a substance of exhibiting both elastic and

viscous behaviour, example: Honey

Viscoplasticity ,example: plastic, wax, clay

Shear thinning

Shear thinning is the non-Newtonian behavior of fluids

whose viscosity decreases under shear strain,example
paint, printing ink.

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Properties of greases
Shear thickening

A dilatant (also termed shear thickening) material is one

in which viscosity increases with the rate of shear strain,
example ,corn starch dissolved in water.

Thixotropy

Thixotropy is a time-dependent shear thinning property,

example : blood, paint

NLGI number (National Lubricating Grease Institute)

The NLGI consistency number expresses a measure of

the relative hardness of a grease used for lubrication

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Industrial application of
lubricants

Lubricate - Reduce friction

Cooling - Heat transfer
Cleaning - Detergency
Noise pollution - dampening
Sealing prevent leakage
Protection prevent wear

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Industrial application of
lubricants
Lubricate reduce friction
The effects of friction
Metal to metal contact
Leads to wear and tear
Generates heat
Results in Power loss

Lubricant reduces friction by forming a film

Reduces ill effect of friction

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Industrial application of
lubricants
Cooling
When fuel is burnt in an engine
33% is useful power
33% removed by cooling water
33% by lube oil and radiation
Lube oil removes heat from all areas and brings it to the
engine sump.
Improper cooling can lead to over heating, lead to wear,
distortion and failure.

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Industrial application of
lubricants
Cleaning

Cleans carbon and varnish deposits

Removes external contaminants dust, moisture
(external)

Noise reduction
Reduce noise
By preventing metal to metal contact

Sealing
Protection
BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Problems

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Solution

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Solution

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Problems

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Solution

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Problems

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Solution

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

THANK YOU!
BITS Pilani
K K Birla Goa Campus