"I want to obtain a certification in the area of..." is often one of the goals set by maintenance personnel, especially those working in predictive maintenance. One of the certifications in the predictive area that has seen significant growth is the lubrication...
Current Issue
How Fine Is Too Fine in Oil Filtration Systems?
As with many things in lubrication, sometimes too much is as bad as too little. This is certainly the case with filtration. How Fine Is Too Fine for Your Oil Filter? To answer that, we need to look at several factors. First, let’s dispel a few myths about fine...
Lubricant Varnish: How to Detect, Prevent and Fight this Silent Enemy
Varnish formation is one of the most critical and often overlooked challenges faced by industrial lubrication systems, especially in high-performance applications such as steam turbines, gas turbines, compressors, and precision hydraulic systems. Even when invisible...
Root Causes of Electrostatic Spark Discharge in Modern Lubrication Systems
Understanding Electrostatic Spark Discharge and Its Impact on Lubrication Systems Electrostatic Spark Discharge typically occurs when static is built up in an oil at a molecular level, causing it to discharge in the system and create free radicals, which increase the...
How Acid Number and Base Number Reveal the True Health of Diesel Oils
Lubrication analysis plays a vital role in predictive and preventive maintenance for diesel engines. Among the most informative tests available are Acid Number (AN) and Base Number (BN), two complementary measurements that provide insight into oil health, additive...
The Multi-Functional Role of Modern Lubricants in Machine Reliability
I was once asked, “Why are lubricants so different? Why can’t we simply buy a ‘one fits all’ oil and grease?” I explained that the old farmers' axiom, “Oil is oil, any oil will do,” may have had some merit 100 years ago, but it doesn’t now. In today’s world of...
Extending Hydraulic Oil Life Through Targeted Varnish Removal
Hydraulic presses in Oriented Strand Board (OSB) mills are central and indispensable to OSB production. They exert an immense, uniform force required to compress wood strands and resin into durable panels, operating under exacting temperature and pressure conditions....











