Flash Point Explained: Why It Matters More Than You Think
In my experience, flash point is one of the most misunderstood numbers on a product data sheet. Most people ignore it, as it is rare for oil system temperatures... Read more.
The Overlooked Role of Lubricants in Achieving Better Fuel Economy
Fuel economy is a crucial aspect of modern vehicle maintenance and fleet management. With rising fleet fuel costs and ever-tighter environmental regulations, achieving... Read more.
Revolutionizing Synthetic Lubricants: The Rise of New PAO Alternatives
Look at the product data sheet for any full synthetic industrial lubricating oil, and you will likely discover that the base oil is a polyalphaolefin (PAO).
These... Read more.
The Overrated 4-Ball Test: Why It Fails in Practical Lubricant Assessment
In the intricate world of lubrication and tribology, the 4-ball test has become a core experimental procedure and is commonly listed as a performance parameter on... Read more.
Hydraulic Oil Questions Answered: Practical Knowledge for Industry Applications
Many questions surround hydraulic oil selection, from viscosity grades to base oil types to additives. This article answers pressing questions like: How do temperatures... Read more.
Why Varnish May Plague Your Gearbox Really Soon
Gears are everywhere. These versatile machine elements are present in all industries and used in pumps and drives of all sizes as a reliable way to transfer power.... Read more.
How Wind Turbine Gear Oils Have Evolved to Combat Micropitting Problems
Wind energy has become an increasingly important component of our energy grid as the world moves toward more sustainable power generation sources. Although harnessing... Read more.
Why Diesel Engine Oil Compatibility Matters for Fleet Managers
It's exceedingly rare to find a fleet of vehicles with the same make, model, and year of manufacture. I have never personally observed a single instance in my career.... Read more.
Lithium Grease Concern: Paving the Way for Innovative Grease Alternates
In the complex and evolving world of the lubricants industry, we're constantly faced with new challenges. Most end-users have recently suffered from the increasing... Read more.
How Do Solid Lubricants Work?
Just as there are various states of matter, there are different lubricant types. The four main categories are gas, liquid, cohesive (grease), and solids. In the... Read more.
Open Gear Lubrication: How to Reduce Wear and Boost Reliability
In this brief video, Rafe Britton explains why open gear lubrication presents unique challenges and how to overcome them.
Open gears are not enclosed within a... Read more.
How to Color Code Lubricant Tags and Labels to Maximize Effectiveness
Using colored tags and labels to identify the proper lubricant for a machine is a common-sense way to help operators and lubrication technicians minimize errors... Read more.
Why Zinc Lubricant Additives are Now Under Attack
Zinc (also known as ZDDP, ZDTP or zinc dialkyldithiophosphate) is the most common lube oil additive. Patented in 1944, this molecular family has been used as low-cost,... Read more.