Lubrication from an Aerosol Perspective
Presented to the Southern Aerosol Technical Association
October 2nd 2009
Tri ad Lubrica tion Components , LLC Dedicated to Qual i ty & Resources Management
Why is Lubrication from an Aerosol Perspective different ?
Traditional Automotive & Industrial lubricants have significant test protocols
Engine oil tests for HD & PC together approach $1,000,000
The majority of applications call for circulation of the lubricants with resonance time in a storage tank
Most non-aerosol lubricants are made for a specific use rather than just a “General Purpose” need
The 3 Basics of Good Lubrication
The correct product
For the specific application
Delivered in a timely and efficient manner
* From various Lubrication Industry Handbooks
The 3 Basics of Good Lubrication:
Aerosol Lubricants
Aerosol based lubricants and their delivery systems incorporate specialty lubricants used for and into special applications where everything depends on somebody deciding when to use an aerosol can and how much to spray* From the “old Tribologist” 2009
Aerosol Lubricants Designing the correct product
Base Oils: Key Criteria Chemical Type
Naphthenic Paraffinic (Group I, II) Synthetic (PAO, Ester, Alkylated Naphthalene, PAG, Silicone) Natural/Bio (Soy, Canola, SBME)
Viscosity 2 cst up to > 20,000 cst @40°C
Aerosol Lubricants : General Base Oil Properties
Oil TypeSolubility/Solvency
VILow Temp.Rheology
Relative Cost
Naphthenic Very Good LowGood Pour Point
Poor LT Vis,Low
Paraffinic(GP 1)
< Napth. Medium> PP vs. Napth.Better LT Vis.
Moving up
Paraffinic(GP 1I)
< Group I Medium> PP vs. Napth.Better LT Vis.
Stabilizing
SyntheticGood to Very Poor
Poor to Very High
Excellent to Poor High
Natural/Bio Good Very High Usually poor < Synthetic
Aerosol Lubricants : Designing the correct product: Additives
Types commonly used in Aerosol Lubricants Additives that change the fluid’s properties
Anti-oxidants Tackifiers & thickeners
Additives that affect lubrication Lubricity additives including solid lubricants AW & EP additives
Additives that protect metals Rust inhibitors Anticorrosion additives
Aerosol Lubricants
Additives that change the fluid’s properties Anti-oxidants
May impart better shelf life and spray integrity to certain formulations Low level formulation impact Supports less frequent application ?
Tackifiers & thickeners Tackifiers can enhance non dripping characteristic Thickeners raise overall fluid viscosity
Aerosol Lubricants
Additives that affect Lubrication Lubricity additives including solid lubricants
Liquid additives Polar molecules that impart a friction modifying and boundary lubricant property to the product Important in slow speed and lightly loaded applications
Solid Lubricant Additives Specific low friction solids that are available as sub-micronic dispersions or powders added to the aerosol formulation Graphite, Moly-Disulfide, PTFE & Boron Nitride
Aerosol Lubricants
Additives that affect Lubrication AW & EP additives
Both types of additives react chemically with the metal surface to form films that reduce wear and/or raising the load carrying ability of the lubricant AW additives containing ZDDP & Phosphorous are commonly used EP additives containing Chlorine & Sulfur are not generally utilized in aerosol formulations
Aerosol Lubricants
Falex Pin & Vee (ASTM D 2670 & D 3233)
Testing Lubrication Properties
Generally for determination of lubricity/boundary properties Fairly low cost procedure Adaptation of test machinery can provide coefficient of friction results
Aerosol Lubricants
Four Ball Wear - Oils & Greases (ASTM D 4172 & D 2266)
Testing Lubrication Properties
Used to determine anti-wear properties Adaptation of test machinery can provide coefficient of friction values
Aerosol Lubricants
SRV Coefficient of Friction and Wear Oscillation TestASTM D 6425 & DIN 51834
Testing Lubrication Properties
Used to determine anti-wear properties under specific oscillating conditions Excellent test for determining coefficient of friction values Many variables can be incorporated (Temp, break in load, materials) More costly to run test
Aerosol Lubricants
Additives that protect metals Rust inhibitors
Higher Mw chemistry that when deposited, prevents corrosion by displacing water and providing a physical barrier to the atmosphere Organo-metallic compounds that interrupt the oxidation process (rust) of ferrous alloys
Combinations of the above
Anticorrosion additives for non-ferrous metals Chemicals that function as “deactivators” of metallic surfaces such as copper and other “yellow metals” that are prone to corrosion
Additives that tie up sulfur that may be in a formula, causing it to be
less corrosive to metal surfaces
Aerosol Lubricants Testing metal protection properties
Good screening tool to establish relative rust protection Run at 100% humidity & 50°C Long cycle time to establish failure
Humidity Cabinet (ASTM D 1748)
Aerosol Lubricants Testing metal protection properties
Cycling humidity/dry conditions to simulate ambient exposure 8 Hrs. @ 100% Humidity followed by 16 Hrs. dry = 24 hour day all @40°C European acceptance is greater than North America
Kesternich Rust Test (DIN 50 017)
Aerosol Lubricants Testing metal protection properties
Excellent accelerated method to differentiate rust protection Failures can occur quickly in a very aggressive environment of 100% humidity, 5% NaCl solution @ 35°C
Salt Spray/Fog (ASTM B 117 & DIN 50 021)
Aerosol Lubricants Testing metal protection properties
Universally accepted test detects corrosivity of lubricants on yellow metal No universal standard that predicts lubricant corrosion in Aluminum
Copper Strip Corrosion Test (ASTM D 130)
Aerosol Lubricants
Formulating lubricants from scratch foraerosol delivery requires understanding of the interactions of base stocks and additives and their response to the propellant system……….
However another popular aerosol deliveredlubricant presents more challenges
Aerosol Lubricants
Aerosolized Lubricating Greases - A unique product for unique applications
What is a Lubricating Grease ?
A mixture of oils and appropriate thickeners designed to form a matrix that suspends the oil (sometimes including additives) that perform a lubricating function.
Official NLGI Definition: A lubricating grease is a solid or semi-fluid lubricant consisting of a thickening agent in a liquid lubricant. Other ingredients imparting special properties may be included.
Aerosol LubricantsGrease comes in many colors & consistencies
QuickTime™ and aTIFF (LZW) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and aTIFF (LZW) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Aerosol LubricantsWhy incorporate a grease into an
aerosol delivered lubricant ?
To decrease dripping and spattering To decrease frequency of lubrication To seal out contaminates For intermittent operation For extreme operating conditions When noise reduction is important
Aerosol Lubricants
Choosing the appropriate grease for aerosol applications
Will it do the job ? What properties should it have ? Can I effectively “tailor” it ? How will it spray ? What color can I get it in ? Is the grease I want off the shelf ?
Aerosol Lubricants
The NLGI grading system as to grease consistency
NLGI Number ASTM D 217 WorkedPenetration
000 445 - 47500 400 - 4300 355 - 3851 310 - 3402 265 - 2953 220 - 2504 175 - 2055 130 - 1606 85 - 115
Aerosol Lubricants Testing Lubricating Grease Properties
Primary determining factor in measuring lubricating grease consistency Establishes 9 different grades of grease (NLGI 000 - NLGI 6) Greases that are aerosolized are usually starting as #2 grade
Cone Penetration (ASTM D 217)
Aerosol LubricantsCommon Grease thickeners
Polyurea6%
LithiumComplex20%
AluminumComplex6% Calcium
10%
Lithium49%
Sodium3%
Other6%
Aerosol Lubricants Testing Lubricating Grease Properties
Establishes the temperature that the base oil & the thickener matrix begin to separate or soften enough so as to loose overall consistency Dropping points do not constitute upper limits of a particular greases use Some additives will adversely effect dropping points
–Dropping Point (ASTM D 2265)
Aerosol LubricantsAerosol Grease Considerations
Thickener Type
Dropping Points
Additiveeffect on DP
Water resistance
Mechanical Stability
Lithium Very Good Moderate Good Good to Excellent
LithiumComplex
Very High Moderate Good to Excellent
Good to Excellent
Clay/Bentone Excellent Severe Fair to Very Good Good
AluminumComplex
Very High > than Lithium Excellent Good to
Excellent
CalciumComplex
Excellent ?? Excellent Good
QuickTime™ and aTIFF (LZW) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Aerosol Lubricants
Quality lubricants possessing unique properties can comefrom these containers
It’s all about the design !
Top Related