After identifying your equipment lubrication requirements and matching the types of lubricants for your applications and operating conditions, you must select among the many brands or even types of lubricants offered.

A lubricant performance test helps to analyze a specific attribute of the lubricating oil under consideration. Combined with other tests, they define the performance profile desired or the actual performance of a particular lubricating oil. There are many reasons for developing tests and why combinations are suited for assessing various types of lubricants.

Additives

Lubricants, in general, undergo maturation processes as additive chemistry evolves and improves. If an individual additive in an additive package is updated or replaced due to newer chemistry becoming more effective or less expensive, the performance of the additive package must be re-evaluated. Specific performance tests are used to determine the effectiveness of the additive being replaced.

Other tests then measure the effect the change may have on other properties, like rust or corrosion protection. A balanced additive package that meets all specified lubricant qualities must be re-examined with the appropriate performance tests anytime that additive package is changed, even if the change begins with a single additive component.

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM)

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) design and build equipment for specific purposes, with defined standards for performance characteristics and operating parameters. The OEM will prescribe lubricants that fulfill specified performance specifications for usage in the equipment.

The machine was designed not only for use in specific environments and applications but also to be operated with the correct lubricant to maximize the equipment's performance, efficiency, and lifespan. The lubricating oil is recognized and described as satisfying specific performance standards in the OEM's testing. The exact tests are those judged by the OEM as crucial to the machine's operation and performance as planned.

Lubricant Selection

Unlike how OEMs express lubrication requirements for individual equipment, lubricant kinds, and brands that fulfill those standards may be recognized by their reported performance test results from lubricant manufacturers. When selecting the right lubricant, it must have the proper viscosity and meet minor performance hurdles for the tests indicated for a prospective lubricant in that application.

Lubricant Performance

While testing the impact on additive chemistry in new formula development, specifying lubricant properties by OEMs, and selecting lubricants based upon performance test data are all crucial parts of lubricant application, what all the testing does to some extent is state the finished lubricant's predicted performance in the field. A strong battery of selected performance tests can expect how well a lubricant will perform when it is put in service under the conditions for which it was designed.

Once the proper lubricant has been identified, selected, and put into service, it must be monitored to ensure that it stays in a condition suitable for continued use and protects the equipment in which it operates. Depending upon the equipment, application, and environment, other lubricant properties will also be critical, with the appropriate performance tests selected to reflect those essential characteristics.

Goal

Now that you understand why all these tests exist and their contributions to evaluating lubricating oils, you can begin by identifying your goals for your maintenance program. If you want to save money on lubricants, contact CRE Philippines. We can help you assess how much poor lubrication practices cost your business each year and help you adopt a single vision for lubrication excellence. CRE Philippines also offers training on Oil Analysis, where you can learn how to leverage your Oil Analysis Program to achieve high uptime, zero surprised breakdown, and higher returns.

To conclude, your goal should be to maximize equipment life and reliability. You may also want to extend oil life, increase equipment uptime or productivity, and cut lubrication tasks with automated or centralized lubrication systems.

Source:

Fernandez, G. (n.d.). Best Ways to Evaluate Lubricants. MachineryLubrication. Retrieved from https://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/31273/evaluate-lubricants