Characteristics Of Liquid Lubricants

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3. LIQUID LUBRICANTS These can be defined as the lubricants that exist in the liquid state and are more frequently used for the purpose of lubrication. Generally, lubricants do tend to contain 90% base oils and approximately less than 10% of the additives. Usually vegetable or synthetic oils like hydrogenated polyolefins, esters, silicones, fluorocarbons etc. are used as base oils. PROPERTIES OF LIQUID LUBRICANTS The liquid lubricants possess the following general properties: i. Viscosity and viscosity index Viscosity is the resistance to flow of one layer of the liquid over the other. It is the measure of the thickness of a liquid. Viscosity index is the scale which measures the rate of change in viscosity with temperature. Depending upon …show more content…

This property is used to analyze the fire hazards of liquids. Liquids having a flash point less than 37 degree Celsius are called flammable. While those having lower than the above mentioned temperatures are called combustible. iii. Cloud point and pour point The temperature at which the oil shows cloudiness is called cloud point. The temperature at which the oil stops flowing is called the pour point. This property tells the minimum temperature up to which the oil can be used. iv. Emulsification number It is the time required for a particular volume of oil to separate out in distinct layer from an equal volume of condensed steam under standard conditions. Good lubricating oil should form an emulsion that breaks off easily i.e. should have less steam EN. v. Aniline point The minimum equilibrium solution temperature for equal volumes of oil and aniline is termed as aniline point. Good lubricating oil has higher aniline point that indicates low percentage of aromatic …show more content…

MECHANISM OF ACTION OF LIQUID LUBRICANTS The liquid lubricants tend to lubricate via three important mechanisms: TABLE 4: CLASSIFICATION OF LUBRICATION MECHANISMS I. Thick film/ Fluid film/ Hydrodynamic lubrication As the name suggests, this mechanism of lubrication involves the introduction of a thick layer of the lubricating oil between the 2 surfaces that are in contact with one another. The thickness of the layer is about 1000 Angstroms. This results in minimum friction between the 2 surfaces and the coefficient of friction is low (0.001- 0.05). The hydrocarbon oils are preferred for this purpose. But the basic problem with such oils is that the viscosity of these oils decreases with an increase in the temperature. Thus to prevent this long chain polymers are added to the oil as they form their own cross links, thus preventing the oil to move. APPLICATIONS: It may be used in case of delicate instruments like watches, clocks, guns, sewing machines and scientific instruments. Fig 7: THICK FILM

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