Quantitative Baseline with the DR Ferrograph Philosophy
All machines, in the course of normal operation, produce microscopic wear particles which are formed by removal of deformation of surface material from bearings, gears, cylinders, pistons, and other interacting surfaces. The rate at which particles are generated is called the “wear rate”. Wear rate tends to be constant when a machine operates normally at steady state. The particles are washed away by the lubricant and are carried by the oil for a period of time until they are lost by settling, filtering, and other loss mechanisms. Starting from a perfectly clean lubricant system the wear particle concentration would increase linearly, given a constant wear rate and no particle losses. However, the loss rate is proportional to the population of particles. In practice, the concentration increases until the loss rate comes into balance with the wear rate. It can be demonstrated mathematically and in practice that this wear particle concentration (WPC) equilibrium is reached very soon after arriving at steady state after start up, speed increase, etc. Click here for the full article...

Maintenance Tip
Lubricant Drum Storage

While indoor storage of lubricant drums is the most preferred it is not always possible. When storing drums outside – shelter containers from rain, snow and other elements. Never store drums directly on ground, in direct sunlight or where water can collect. If storing drums outside, lay drums on their sides with bungs in a horizontal (3 and 9 o’clock) position below the lubricant level. If drums must be placed upright, employ drum covers or tilt drums to drain the moisture that gathers on top around the bungs.

Product Feature
Color-Coded Identification Tags

Avoid lubricant cross contamination and misapplication with Spectrum tags and labels. The Spectrum tags and labels provide a simple and fast solution for indentifying lubricants from storage to point of use. These easy to use, durable color-coded tags and labels can be used for marking everything from storage containers and drums, transport containers, hand pumps, filter carts, transfer carts, dispensing equipment and tools, machinery, lubrication points or anything else you can think of. Use a felt tip marker, crayon, or Spectrum customized labels to mark the tag with your information. Then simply seal the information beneath the laminate sheet to keep it clean and legible. For more information visit our website.

Volume 5 Issue 2

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