Lubrication Experts

Welcome back to Lubrication Experts! Today, we delve into the fascinating world of lubricant chemistry with none other than Dr. Matthew Hobbs from EPT Clean Oil. Despite the moody lighting due to a minor technical glitch with my video setup, this discussion promises to be as enlightening as ever. Dr. Hobbs, the Manager of Technical Services, Research, and Development at EPT Clean Oil, brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Known for his captivating presentations at various forums, such as STLE, and his insightful webinars, Dr. Hobbs has a unique knack for elucidating the complex aspects of lubricant chemistry. As many of you have expressed interest in gaining a more detailed understanding of lubricant chemistry and its breakdown, I've invited Dr. Hobbs to share his expertise on this topic. If you've been eager to dive deeper into lubricant chemistry, this conversation is one you don't want to miss. Also, be sure to check out the EPT Clean Oil YouTube channel for more from Dr. Hobbs and other industry experts. Whether you're joining us via video or tuning into the podcast, get ready for an enlightening discussion. Without further ado, let's welcome Dr. Matthew Hobbs to Lubrication Experts. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert insights!

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We all know that the price of Lithium increased drastically in recent years. Competition originally began with the rise in consumer electronics, but increased exponentially with the demand generated by the EV transition. This poses an issue for greases, where lithium soaps dominate the market by volume thanks to their "jack of all trades" performance.

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Lubrication is a vital component in the maintenance and longevity of mechanical assets, yet it is often overlooked or misunderstood. With an estimated 70% of mechanical failures directly or indirectly related to lubrication practice, the International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML) has developed a set of standards aimed at promoting best practices in lubrication and asset management. Despite being an engineered component, lubricants are frequently not treated as assets. Many people mistakenly believe that "oil is oil" and "grease is grease," leading to suboptimal lubrication practices and mechanical failures. Proper understanding and management of lubrication can significantly extend the life of machinery, reduce energy consumption, and minimize environmental impact. The ICML has developed a set of standards with 12 core elements that provide guidelines for best practices in lubrication programs. These standards are designed to be both standalone and complementary to existing ISO standards, including ISO 9000, ISO 14000, and ISO 55000. The ICML standards cover essential aspects of asset management, including document management, environmental impact, and the use of tangible assets like lubricants. https://lubrication.expert

Lubricants are tightly interlinked with our sustainability goals. And when I say sustainability I mean both environmental and business. We've talked at length on this podcast about the way that lubricants affect energy efficiency and machine reliability, but how about the sustainability of the actual lubricant itself? Greg Livingstone is back to help us understand the impact of the full lifecycle of the lubricants we use in industry.

Racing oils - they're everyone's favourite thing to discuss because they represent the pinnacle of engine oil performance. But what exactly makes them different from the everyday oils that you and I use in our daily drivers? In this interview on Lubrication Experts, Rafe Britton speaks with Lake Speed Jr., an expert in racing oils. Lake shares his experience working for Joe Gibbs Racing, where he was responsible for the oil program. He recounts the challenges they faced in finding off-the-shelf API-rated oils that provided both high performance and durability in the racing environment. He goes into detail on the partnership with Lubrizol, a company that developed bespoke formulas for their racing engines. This collaboration helped them address issues with flat-tappet camshafts and the need for higher spring loads to control the valve train at high RPMs. The interview touches on the fact that racing oils generally don't carry approvals like API or OEM, which leads to differences in formulation. These differences may include using different base oils, additives, or varying quantities of additives.

Calcium sulphonates are everywhere - first used as a common TBN additive in engine oils, they're increasingly used as a high-performance grease thickener. But the history behind this is surprising. Industry heavyweight Andy Waynick sat down with Rafe Britton to discuss the development of Calcium Sulphonate greases, their place in the current industrial environment, and their promising future.

Polyakylene glycol (PAG) base oil lubricants are a bit of a mystery. In fact, there are many who fear them due to their reputation for incompatibility with other lubricants on site, as well as seals and paints. But like all things, much of this mystery can be pierced through understanding. Martin Greaves worked at Dow Chemical for some 30 years, working extensively with PAGs. It turns out, PAGs are not a single molecule, but rather a family with almost infinite combinations. In this podcast he sat down with Rafe Britton to discuss PAGs in all their forms.

Link to the article mentioned in the interview: https://www.lube-media.com/wp-content/uploads/Lube-Tech-144-Novel-hybrid-esters-Base-oils-designed-for-sustainability.pdf

Varnish is a problem that plagues turbomachinery, compressors, gears, hydraulics and more. There are many causes, but the ultimate result is significant downtime, lost productivity and potential damage to assets. As with any problem that costs a lot of money, many solutions have been proposed to the varnish problem. In this episode, Sanya Mathura helps look at the causes of varnish as well as a framework for evaluating varnish solutions. Toward the end we also delve into a discussion on certifications and the role that certification through ICML has played in her career.

John Sander and I discuss the importance of using the correct type of hydraulic oil in industrial machinery. We cover the different types of hydraulic oils available, their properties and benefits, and how to select the right oil for your specific equipment. Whether you're a maintenance professional or a business owner, John dropped some great info on how to keep your equipment running smoothly. Tune in to learn more about the world of hydraulic oils!

Precision lubrication is a philosophy. But how do you achieve it? Industry veteran Mike Johnson breaks it all down for us in this wide-ranging discussion. Concurrent with the release of this podcast is the publication of the first issue of Precision Lubrication Magazine. Precision Lubrication magazine provides timely, in-depth news and insights on lubrication, maintenance, and reliability. Each issue delivers solid guidance, tools, and information you can use right away at your facility. A well-executed lubrication program represents an enormous opportunity for most industrial plants. Even though the benefits are large, only a small segment of the industry treats lubrication as a serious maintenance activity. When lubrication programs are run haphazardly, aren’t given the proper support, and aren’t championed as a critical component of an organization’s mission, machine reliability suffers, and equipment fails. Our mission is to equip lubrication, maintenance, and reliability professionals with solid guidance and tools for developing precision lubrication and fluid analysis programs that are properly executed, and sustainable and serve as a centre of excellence for their companies.