LUBRICATION
Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering 1
When two metallic parts make a contact and move
relative to each other, due to surface irregularities
frictional heat is generated.
This results in a loss of power transmitted between
them.
Frictional losses can be minimized by maintaining a
layer of unguent known as lubricant between the two
moving surfaces.
The lubricant prevents the two contact surfaces from
coming into direct contact with each other.
A film of lubricant is said to be present between the
contact surfaces.
Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering 2
Types of lubricants
Type of lubricant Examples Application
Solid lubricants Wax, graphite, graphite Used where oil film cant
with grease be maintained due to high
pressure
Liquid lubricants Mineral oils, vegetable Ordinary machinery,
oils, animal oils steam & I C engines.
Semi solid Grease Used where low speed &
lubricants high pressure exist.
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Properties of a lubricant
1. Viscosity:
It is the property of lubricant by virtue of which it
offers resistance to shear.
If the viscosity is too low, then a liquid film cant
be maintained between the two moving surfaces.
If the viscosity is too high, then it will offer great
resistance to the moving surfaces of the parts.
Viscosity decreases with increase in temperature
So viscosity of a good lubricant should not
change with varying operating temperature
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2. Flash & fire points:
Flash point: It is the lowest temperature at
which the fumes of oil will produce a flash but
will not catch fire when the flame is brought in
contact with it.
Fire point: It is the lowest temperature at
which the oil fumes catch fire & will continue to
burn when the flame is brought in contact with
it.
So a good lubricant should posses a flash
point temperature higher than the
temperature at which it is used.
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3. Oiliness:
Oiliness: It is the ability of the lubricating oil to
adhere to the rubbing surfaces.
When a thin film of oil is subjected to high
pressure, the oil film will be squeezed out of the
lubricated surfaces.
So a good lubricant should adhere to the
surfaces and maintain an oil film between the
rubbing surfaces.
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4. Cloud & pour points:
Cloud point: It is the temperature at which the
wax & other substances present in the oil
crystallize and separate out from the oil when
the lubricant oil is cooled.
Pour point: It is the lowest temperature at
which the oil stops to flow when cooled.
These two points will indicate the suitability
of lubricants for use in cold conditions.
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5. Carbon residue:
Lubricant oils contain high % of carbon in
combined form.
At higher temperature, they decompose
depositing a certain amount of carbon. The
deposition of carbon deposit is highly
objectionable.
A good lubricating oil should deposit a least
amount of carbon while in use at higher
temperatures.
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6. Volatility:
When the working temperatures are high,
some oils vaporize leaving behind a thick
residual oil having different lubricating
properties like increased viscosity.
A good lubricating oil should have low
volatility.
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Commonly used lubrication systems in
I.C. engines
1. Splash lubrication:
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Commonly used lubrication systems in
I.C. engines
1. Splash lubrication:
Splash lubrication is generally used in a 4 stroke IC
engine to lubricate parts such as cylinder, piston,
gudgeon pin, connecting rod, bearings etc.
The oil is contained in the crank case of the engine.
As the piston reciprocates up and down the crank with
the big end of the connecting rod partly dips into the oil
sump and continuously splashes the oil to the surfaces
of the cylinder and the piston.
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