CONSEQUENCES OF IMPROPER LUBRICATION

Machines tends to fail or work below its required strength or capacity  due to improper lubrication of the machine components. Many operators ignores the fact that friction exist thereby underestimating the importance of lubrication. Some do not know what lubrication means, its principle,the positives and negatives and why its necessary for it to be in check.

The techniques of using lubricants to reduce friction between surfaces is termed lubrication. This definition contains two main terms, lubricant and friction.
Understanding what friction is, will help us in the application of lubricants.

 Friction is that which hinders a body from moving smoothly on the surface of another, a stationery and a moving part or two or moving parts. Friction has a role to play in machines but when it becomes excessive or when its not needed,  damage will occur in the machine or its component. Effects like corrosion, overheating, wear and others have the possibility of occurring if  its not lubricated.

To achieve reduced friction the lubricant which is the applied element must meet the following purposes.

• It most be able to resist temperature at the extremes(freeze & boiling point) to retains its viscosity index.
• The lubricant must be thick enough to seal and thin enough to minimize fluid friction
• Forming a sliding seal between the moving surface
• Cleaning function between the moving surface.
• It must not have a vanish tendency

Lubricant are of various types and functions

• Engine oil: lubricates the engine moving parts
• Grease: used for bearings
• Hydraulic oil: used for power steering of vehicles, excavators, industrial machineries etc.
• Brake fluid: used in hydraulic brake and clutches  
• Transformer oil: used in oil filled transformers
• Soluble oil: used in vehicles to regulate the boiling and freezing point of water
• Solid lubricant(graphite)

WHAT IF I DO NOT LUBRICATE
Inadequate lubrication often produces excessive heat thus bearing failure and the heat build up lowers the viscosity of the lubricant. The thickness of the fluid film that separates the bearing surfaces might be reduced which may lead to metal to metal contact and bearing failure.

In internal combustion engines,  lacks of  lubrication causes metal to metal contact of the piston and the cylinder wall, improper sitting of the piston rings, over heating of valves,the connecting rod, cylinder head, cylinder wall, piston etc and as a result of this denotation occurs.

Note,  proper lubrication enhances the life span of your bearings and machines, thus increased output efficiency. Time, money and manpower will be saved when proper lubrication are done.



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