The mention of lubricant varnish in an industrial setting frequently evokes concerns regarding unscheduled equipment shutdowns, reliability challenges, and consequent extended downtime. However, a facet that often remains overlooked is the concept of 'solubility.'...
Articles
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. Industrial gear oils are a vital component of that reliability, helping to maintain separation between...
Particle Counting in Condition Monitoring – Managing Expectations
In my previous articles, I have written about online sensors and the fact that some see these as not being accurate nor matching the standards applied in laboratory testing of used oil samples. To counter this, I have stated that the reproducibility and repeatability...
Advanced Methods for Detecting and Measuring Soluble and Insoluble Varnish
As a fluid analysis laboratory, our ongoing mission is to improve the quality of our analysis and interpretation. To do this, POLARIS Laboratories® performs statistical analysis on our test methods and results to evaluate typical parameters and establish thresholds...
Why Turbine Oil Replacement Should Be Based on Condition, Not Time
Let's dive into a big question: When should we change the turbine oil in power plants? This question came up when I talked to someone who works at a power plant. There are two ways to decide when to change the oil: old-school thinking versus new-school thinking. The...
How to Draw a Representative Oil Sample Using a Vacuum Pump
Oil analysis success hinges on the quality of the oil sample. Drawing a representative oil sample involves a combination of factors, including selecting the right location, deploying the right method, using the right hardware, determining the right sampling frequency,...
A New Lubrication Management Strategy to Reclaim Machine Reliability?
Lubricants are often thought of as a machine's lifeblood. To protect machine investment and perform as designed, their needs and end-user requirements must be understood and met with diligence. Getting the most out of your lubricants requires a lubrication management...
Microdieseling Causes, Effects and Detection
What Is Microdieseling? Microdieseling occurs when entrained air moves from low-pressure zones to high-pressure in a lubrication system, reaching localized temperatures above 1000°C and carbonizing the oil. The term microdieseling got its name from the diesel engine....
The Path to Achieving Authentic Transformational Leadership
We all find ourselves participating in some leadership training these days. Most, if not all, of these are corporate or human resource-driven based on a well-intentioned company desire to strengthen the organizational culture. This desire is driven by an underlying...
Equipping Operators for Effective Lubrication: Training, Tools, and Resources
Companies enhance workforce efficiency and performance through various strategies. The most significant labor group is the production sector. Managers, where possible, have integrated operators into systematic, structured, and occasionally complex pre-shift equipment...














