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Five Ways Aerated Oil Wrecks Machines
We’re told machines should not be allowed to swallow air. But what if they do? What harm could be caused by this bubbly stuff anyway? Do we really have to make the machine burp? Read More
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Sight Glass Oil Analysis
Several years ago, when my son was a Cub Scout, his den went on a night hike at our local wildlife sanctuary. He and I went together on this outing. We were led by a professional nature guide who worked full-time at the sanctuary. I wasn’t expecting much; after all, what can one see in… Read More
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Ten Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Air Contamination
Anybody who has been in the lubrication field for at least a couple of years has likely been badgered by problems relating to air contamination. Indeed, aeration and foam present many serious reliability concerns which merit immediate attention by machinery maintainers. Read More
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How Water Causes Bearing Failure
By Jim FitchMachinery Lubrication Magazine It takes only a small amount of water (less than 500 ppm) to substantially shorten the service life of rolling element bearings. There is a vast amount of research that supports this. Being a career-long crusader of clean and dry oil, I will certainly not argue the contrary. In fact, Read More
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Using Oil Analysis to Monitor the Depletion of Defoamant Additives
The defoamant (also known as antifoam agents and foam inhibitors) is a common additive in many types of lubricating oils and hydraulic fluids. As the name implies, the purpose of the defoamant is to retard the formation of stable foam on the surface of the oil in the sump, gearbox, or reservoir. Read More