LUBRICANTS

LUBRICANTS

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.
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Lubricant functions
1. Reduces wear & tear
2. Reduces heat generated between sliding
surfaces.
3. Reduces loss of energy and increases machine
efficiency.
4. Makes the movement between parts smooth.
5. Reduces maintenance cost of m/c
6. Acts as a seal between cylinder and piston of
I.C. engine.
7. Acts as coolant.
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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.
 Friction coefficient is 0.001-0.03
 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.
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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 molybdenum disulphide is also used.
 For boundary lubrication the lubricants should have high
viscosity index, resistance to heat and oxidation, good
oiliness.
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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.
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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.
Viscocity decreases with increase in temp.
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Viscosity Index :
The rate at which viscosity decreases with temperature is expressed by
V.I.
If the viscosity is affected slowly by increase in temperature then V.I. is
high.
It is calculated by taking two std oils
Viscosity is measured by using Red wood viscometer and saybolt
viscometers.
Red wood – I is used for less viscous or thin lubricanting oils and redcoal
– 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 :
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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 30C.
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