Lubricants and Lubrication

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Principles of Lubrication

Topics: Lubricant classification; Friction; Cooling and sealing action of lubricants; Corrosion prevention; Preventive maintenance

Learning Objectives:

• Define lubrication and describe the four forms of lubricants.
• Discuss the characteristics of static, kinetic, fluid, and rolling friction.
• Explain how a lubricant reduces wear and dampens shock.
• Discuss the cooling action of lubricants and explain how they prevent corrosion.
• Explain the importance of a lubricant's sealing action, and explain how it works.

Chapter 2: Characteristics of Lubricants

Topics: Properties of oils; Viscosity; Flash point; Pour point; Fire point; Oxidation resistance; Emulsification; Greases; Lubricant selection

Learning Objectives:

• Describe how lubricating oils are obtained and processed and briefly discuss the chemistry of petroleum.
• Explain how viscosity is rated and measured in lubricating oils.
• Explain how flash point, fire point, pour point, oxidation resistance, and emulsification affect a lubricant.
• Describe the five major properties of greases.
• Name four factors that affect lubricant selection.

Chapter 3: Types of Lubricants

Topics: Types of additives; Multipurpose lubricants; Mixed and full-film lubrication; Boundary and bearing lubrication

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the nature and purpose of pour-point depressants, oxidation inhibitors, viscosity-index improvers, and antifoam agents.
• Explain how rust and corrosion inhibitors, extreme-pressure additives, and detergent-dispersants work.
• Discuss the use of emulsifying and demulsifying agents, oiliness and antiwear agents, tackiness agents, and other additives.
• Describe the differences between mixed-film, boundary, and full-film lubrication.
• Discuss elements which determine proper bearing lubricant selection.
• Identify common bearing lubrication problems and ways to avoid them.

Chapter 4: Oils

Topics: General- and special-purpose oils; Oil bases; Circulating, gear, machine, spindle, refrigeration, steam cylinder, and engine oils; Wire rope lube

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the four types of oil bases.
• Name three types of circulating oils and describe their properties.
• Compare the characteristics and uses of gear oils, machine oils, and spindle oils.
• Discuss the special properties of refrigeration oils, steam cylinder oils, and internal combustion engine oils.

Chapter 5: Greases

Topics: Characteristics of greases; Calcium-, soda-, barium-, lithium-, and aluminum-soap greases; Grease selection; Bearing relubrication

Learning Objectives:

• Define grease and compare the advantages of using greases and using oils.
• Describe methods for making grease and compare the uses and properties of at least five soap-based greases.
• State the advantages and disadvantages of using nonsoap-based greases.
• Discuss grease selection and application for plain and antifriction bearings.

Chapter 6: Special Greases and Dry Lubricants

Topics: Multipurpose greases; Additives; Extreme-pressure, water-repellent, high-, low-temp, lamellar, and silicone greases; Dry-film lubricants

Learning Objectives:

• List three purposes for grease additives and explain how extreme-pressure greases accomplish their purpose.
• Compare uses and characteristics of water-repellent and high- and low-temperature greases.
• Describe lamellar greases, giving an example, and list some special uses for silicone greases.
• Compare three types of dry-film lubricants and describe how and where to use them

Chapter 7: Lubrication Systems

Topics: Lubrication system reliability and design factors; Manual and gravity lubrication; Drip-feed oilers; Natural and pressure lubrication; Air line lubrication

Learning Objectives:

• Name four main considerations for selecting a lubrication system and explain the importance of each.
• Explain how manual and drip lubrication methods work.
• Describe the operating principles of natural and pressure lubrication methods.

Chapter 8: Automatic Lubrication

Topics: Sight glass flow indicators; Spray nozzles and valves; Metered and header systems; Single- and two-line metering; Progressive metering

Learning Objectives:

• Describe a typical positive feed oil lubrication system.
• Compare three types of sight glass flow indicators.
• Describe types and operation of various spray nozzles and valves used in automatic lubrication systems.
• Compare the operation of header and progressive metering systems.

Chapter 9: Storing and Handling Lubricants

Topics: Inside and outside storage; Dispensing; Inventory and rotating stock; Purification and reclamation; Gravity separation; Centrifuges; Strainers; Filters

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the importance of proper lubricant storage and describe good inside and outside storage practices.
• Describe various methods of dispensing lubricants.
• Discuss proper inventory and stock rotation procedures and define lubricant purification and reclamation.
• Explain how gravity separation, centrifuges, strainers, and filters work.

Chapter 10: Lubrication Management

Topics: Lubrication control; Establishing oiler routes; Coding lubrication points; Computer-managed programs; Installation; Computer reports

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the importance of good lubrication management practices and describe seven different kinds of information that should be included on an equipment lubrication survey form.
• Explain how to set up an oiler route and how to color-code the lubrication points.
• Discuss the considerations involved in establishing and installing a computerized lubrication program.
• Describe the purposes of several types of basic computer lubrication forms and list advantages of expanded programs.

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