A good lubricant in UAE has a “wetting power” that allows it to penetrate between two surfaces in close contact. It must also cling to those surfaces, which prevents it from evaporating or losing its greasiness. It should not catch fire or become gummy when exposed to high temperatures. Finally, it must be resistant to corrosion and oxidation. Read on for more information on these key qualities.

Viscosity:

In lubricants, the level of viscosity is very important. The higher the viscosity, the more friction a given fluid will experience during flow. This property is important because it determines how much time is needed to fill a reservoir or how much energy is required to pump process fluid. Moreover, it can be used to understand the structure of molecules in a solution or the force required to inject a drug formulation. Viscosity is measured in units known as centistokes (cP), a commonly used unit in lubrication practice.

Density:

The viscosity index (VI) is an empirical measure of the lubricant’s viscosity. It measures the effect of change in temperature on the viscosity of the fluid. Generally, lubricants with high VI do not thin out rapidly when heated. Multi-viscosity engine oils have high Vis. These lubricants are essential for many types of motor and industrial applications.

Oxidation stability:

The ability of lubricating greases to resist oxidation is very important for their use in engine components. This is because most lubricants are not volatile, making them less susceptible to oxidation. Oxidation stability can be measured with the ASTM D525 and ASTM D942 methods. Oxidation stability is a measure of the resistance of lubricating greases to oxidation under the same conditions as spark-ignition fuels.

Emulsibility:

One of the most important characteristics of lubricants is their ability to separate from water. While most lubricants end up in the environment as a result of discharge by the general public, there are other causes of contamination in the environment. Some of these causes include spills, pipeline leaks, and runoff from roadways. Therefore, it is important to develop and maintain lubricants with the right characteristics.

Foaming is a problem that limits the effectiveness of petroleum products, affecting hydraulic operation. Foaming can also lead to the overfilling of storage tanks, air leaking from oil pumps, and excessive agitation. To counteract this problem, an antifoam agent is used to inhibit foaming. One way to test a lubricating oil’s foaming characteristics is by blowing air through a sample at a specified temperature.