Industrial Lubricants

Topics of this section include:

• Viscosity Classification of Industrial Oils
• Advantages of ISO Viscosity Grades
• AGMA Numbers
• Viscosity Comparisons
• Viscosity Equivalents
• Handy Conversion Tables
• Optimum Viscosities
• Lubricants Handling and Storage

Introduction

The real world of the 1990's places heavy demands on equipment. We expect equipment to operate between -50°C and 150°C without production loss or increased maintenance costs. Lubricants can be considered a vital component of every machine. Notwithstanding extreme temperatures, many machines are heavily loaded, and operate at higher speeds with smaller reservoirs and longer lubricating intervals.

Proper lubrication is vital in any operation and is determined from the "Four R's".

• Right Lubricant
• Right Place
• Right Time
• Right Amount

The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) together with your Petro-Canada Lubricants Representative or Technical Services Advisor can assist you in determining the "Four Rights" for your equipment or machinery.

Viscosity Classification of Industrial Oils

It had been the practice in North America for many years to define the viscosity of industrial lubricating oils in Saybolt Universal Seconds (SUS) at reference temperatures of 100 °F and 210 °F.

However, there is now a world-wide acceptance of the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO) proposal 3448-1975 (E) to establish viscosity measurements in centistokes (cSt) at 40 °C and 100 °C temperatures.

Advantages of ISO Viscosity Grades

International acceptance benefits customers, manufacturers and marketers. The lubricant grade recommended by the equipment manufacturer is the same as the number in the product name. Conversion from one viscosity measurement to another is virtually eliminated. The number in the product name for most products represents the viscosity of an industrial oil.

Not involved in this new measurement system are all automotive crankcase and gear oils which continue to be designated by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) viscosity classifications. The table below shows the kinematic viscosity limits for each ISO Viscosity Grade. Each viscosity grade is 50% higher in viscosity than the preceding viscosity grade. These limits are set at a 10 percent tolerance level above and below the mid-point of a grade. Any product with a viscosity outside these tolerance levels is not a recognized ISO Viscosity Grade.

AGMA Numbers

The American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA) has set up a numbering system to define gear oil viscosities required for various speed reducer types and applications. These AGMA Lubricant Numbers are normally stamped on the manufacturer's metal name plate. ISO Viscosity Grade numbers and AGMA numbers can be compared as shown in the table below.

AGMA #	R & O	ISO VG Grade	Viscosity Range cSt @ 40 °C
-	1	46	41.4 - 50.6
2 EP	2	68	61 - 75
3 EP	3	100	90 - 110
4 EP	4	150	135 - 165
5 EP	5	220	198 - 242
6 EP	6	320	288 - 352
7 EP	7A Comp	460	414 - 506
8 EP	8 Comp	680	612 - 748
8A EP	8A Comp	1000	900 - 1100

AGMA # EP requirements are met by Ultima EP mild gear oils of proper viscosity. R&O requirements are met with Premium R&O and Harmony AW. The compounded grades designated "COMP" are met with the Senate grades, which contain additional lubricity additives. Automotive gear oils for hypoid gears are designated by SAE for viscosity grades and API for quality levels. These oils may be used in many speed reducers but oils designed to meet AGMA requirements cannot be used in automotive differentials and transmissions.

Viscosity Comparisons

Viscosities designated by various societies or organizations may be compared as shown in the table opposite.

This is strictly a viscosity comparison and in no circumstance should it be construed as a quality level comparison. To summarize -

ISO VG	is viscosity measurement in centistokes (cSt) at 40 °C.
AGMA	viscosity grades as designated by the American Gear Manufacturers Association.
SAE	Society of Automotive Engineers viscosity measurement for automotive engine and gear oils e.g. SAE 30, SAE 90, etc.
Saybolt	These units are in S.U.S. and were used by various refiners/blenders to specify viscosity at 100 °F or 210 °F.

How to use the chart: For instance, if a manufacturer requests a non-detergent SAE 30 oil for a piece of equipment, go to the SAE viscosity column and follow across horizontally to the left to read an ISO VG of 100. Non-detergent suggests that it is not a typical engine oil, as all engine oils contain detergents. In order to recommend the correct product, the end-use application should be determined. For example,

• a hydraulic application could require Harmony AW 100
• a compressor application could require Super Compressor Fluid 100 or Compressor Oil 100

NOTES:

• Read across horizontally.
• Assumes 100 Vl single grade oils.
• Equivalence is in terms of viscosity at 40 °C only. Quality requirements are a separate consideration.
• Viscosity limits are approximate: For precise data, consult ISO, AGMA and SAE specifications.
• W grades are represented only in terms of approximate 40 °C viscosity. For low temperature limits, consult SAE specifications.
• ISO = International Organization for Standardization
• AGMA = American Gear Manufacturers Association
• SAE = Society of Automotive Engineers

Lubricants Handling and Storage

Petro-Canada's lubricating oils and greases are the result of considerable research work and, after careful manufacture and delivery, are as good for their intended use as we can make them. However, during storage it is important to guard against contamination, which can drastically reduce the performance and life of a lubricant. Numerous studies have shown that both water and dirt can lessen the life of bearings and other components. Preventing contamination during storage has a direct pay-back in terms of optimum lubricant performance, longer lubricant life and reduced maintenance costs.

Inside Storage

Lubricants preferably should be stored inside. However, even then there are certain precautions that should be followed:

• The temperature of the storage area should remain moderate and not be subject to wide fluctuations.
• The storage area should be located away from industrial contamination, such as fumes or dust.
• The storage area and dispensing equipment should be clean and be part of a regular cleaning schedule.
• Labels, stencils, markings on containers and dispensing equipment should be kept legible to avoid cross-contamination or incorrect application.
• Detergent-containing engine oils, hydraulic oils, turbine oils and extreme pressure (EP) oils should use separate dispensing equipment.

Outside Storage

If outside storage is unavoidable, then the following precautions should be followed:

• Ensure that the bungs on drums are screwed in tight.
• Store drums horizontally, with bungs below the oil level (i.e. at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock). This prevents the seals from drying out and tending to leak. For the same reason, drums stored upright on pallets should stand upside down.
• Drums stored on their sides should be clear of the ground and rest on wooden or steel beams. They may be stacked three high if wedged properly to prevent movement.
• Stacking often results in the bottom drums never being used, so the use of a rack is preferred.
• Do not store drums on end with the bungs on top. Rain water collects on the drum head and is drawn into the oil when the drum breathes during temperature cycles. If drums must be stored this way, they should be tilted first by standing on edge (say on a 2 x 4 piece of lumber). When oil is drawn from the drum, the head should be wiped clean first.
• Drums preferably should be covered with a tarpaulin to protect them from the elements.
• To minimize contamination and the effects of weathering, time spent in outdoor storage should be kept to a minimum.
• Outdoor storage locations should be away from dusty areas such as quarries or unpaved roads. Opening drums in such conditions will contaminate the contents.
• Smaller package sizes (e.g. pails) should be covered, examined regularly and kept to a minimum to provide a quick turnover.

Handling

Lubricating oils and greases are a relatively harmless class of material. Nevertheless, care should be taken to avoid skin contact and inhalation of oil mists during use. Petro-Canada provides Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on all of its products and these are available from your Sales Representative or our Technical Services Department.

Some general guidelines for personnel handling lubricating oils and greases follow:

• Use protective equipment to avoid skin contact.
• Quickly remove any product that does get on the skin.
• Do not use gasoline, kerosene or similar solvents to remove lubricants from the skin as they take the natural oils from the skin and cause dryness.
• Use only mild soap and warm water or a recommended hand cleaner to remove lubricating oil and grease from the skin. Dry using clean hand towels.
• Wash hands and arms at the end of the working day and before eating.
• Remove any contaminated clothing and clean thoroughly before re-use.
• Avoid breathing in oil mists.
• Clean-up lubricating oil and grease spills immediately and dispose of them according to environmental guidelines.
• Obtain medical advice concerning any potential health problems