Viscosity can go up, down or remain unchanged. The list of root causes that can alter a viscosity reading is quite extensive; hence the reason why viscosity has become such an information-rich measure of used oil condition. After all, when viscosity has not changed, you can rightly conclude that the many known viscosity-altering factors are probably not happening – a good thing for sure.
Rolling element bearings are highly reliable components, and the vast majority of bearings will outlive the equipment on which they are installed. However, while bearings account for a relatively small percentage of all equipment breakdowns, they do fail occasionally. And when they fail, it is usually a critical event, resulting in costly repair and downtime.
Oil analysis plays a critical role in a lubrication program, allowing you to have confidence in the quality of the lubricant in a machine and to analyze the health of the machine in its current state. The problem is that several facets of oil analysis must be performed correctly or the integrity and validity of the entire program will be at risk.
Fire-resistant fluids are most often associated with hydraulic systems. In some of these systems, components must operate at an extremely high temperature, which means you will want to use a fluid that does not ignite easily in the event of a leak. This helps to reduce risk and ensure the safety of plant personnel.
This video examines the role of oil filters in the engine lubrication system.
