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Glossary
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Abrasive wear
Wear between two surfaces caused by the relative motion of two surfaces or three when particles are between the sliding surfaces.
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Abrasive wear
When there is metal to metal contact between sliding surfaces, the microstructure welds causing damage to the surfaces. Adhesive wear results.
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Abrasive wear
Wear between two surfaces caused by the relative motion of two surfaces or three when particles are between the sliding surfaces.
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Abrasive wear
When there is metal to metal contact between sliding surfaces, the microstructure welds causing damage to the surfaces. Adhesive wear results.
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Absolute viscosity
absolute viscosity = kinematic viscosity x density
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ACEA
ACEA is the professional body representing the interests and combined skills of thirteen European car, truck and bus manufacturers at European level and throughout the world. Association des Constructeurs Europens Automobiles European Automobile Manufacturers Association Rue du Noyer 211, B-1000 BRUSSELS - Phone +32 2 7325550 , Fax +32 2 7387310 www.acea.be
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Acid number
Amount of potassium hydroxide (KOH) required to neutralise the acidic components in a sample of petroleum products.
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Additive
Any material that is added in low concentration to a bulk liquid (for lubricants or liquid fuels) to improve the performance of the base fluid or give it new properties.
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Air release
The time it takes for entrained air within a sample of oil product to escape.
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Aniline point
The lowest temperature at which equal volumes of aniline and hydrocarbon fuels or lubricant are completely miscible. Strange as it seems, temperature affects how liquids mix. Aniline point is used to measure the aromatic content of a hydrocarbon blend. Thus, the solvency characteristics of a lubricants base stock or the cetane number of distillate fuel can be determined.
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Anti-foam agent
An additive used to suppress the foaming in petroleum products. If too much is added, can promote foaming and cause corrosion.
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Anti-static agent
Additives, which increase the conductivity of petroleum products, thereby dissipate electrostatic charges and reduce the explosion and fire hazard.
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Anti-wear agent
Additive, which binds with the surface of components and prevents wear by forming a barrier between sliding surfaces. Termed physisorbed if they weakly bind with the surface and chemisorbed when they react with the surface.
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Antioxidant
An additive, which inhibits the oxidation of oils.
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API gravity
141.5 divided by specific gravity @60 deg C then minus 131.5
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Apparent viscosity
A measure of the viscosity of a non-Newtonian fluid under specified temperature and shear conditions. Typically used to describe greases.
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Aromatic
Petroleum product containing benzene ring type molecules. Benzene is a six carbon ring molecule.
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Ash
Metallic deposit formed in the combustion chamber and other engine parts during high temperature operation.
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Ash (sulphated)
The ash content of an oil, determined by charring the oil and treating the residue with sulphuric acid and evaporating to dryness. Expressed as % of original mass.
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Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)
Fluid for the automatic transmissions in motor vehicles.
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Bacteriocide
Additive to inhibit or kill bacterial growth. Typically used in aqueous fluids such as water-based cutting fluids. All bactericides have an optimum concentration for usage, too little is ineffective, too much and they can attack the skin and cause irritation.
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Base number
The amount of acid (perchloric or hydrochloric) needed to neutralise all or part of the lubricants basicity, expressed as potassium hydroxide equivalents.
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Base oil credit
In lubricating cost calculations, the value of the base fluid displaced by the additive package.
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Base stock
The base fluid, usually a refined petroleum component or synthetic oil (made by chemical reaction), into which additives are blended to produce finished lubricants.
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Bases
Compounds which react with acids to form salts plus water. Alkalis are water-soluble bases. Oil soluble bases are used in lubricating oil formulations to neutralise acids formed during combustion of fuels or the acids produced during the oxidation process. In marine oil formulations, the base content can be quite high to neutralise the acids produced when burning high sulphur content fuels.
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Bitumen
Is the brown/black viscous residue from the vacuum distillation of crude oil. Composed of high molecular weight hydrocarbons, with minor amounts of sulphur and/or nitrogen containing molecules. Sometimes referred to as asphalt or tar.
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Black oils
Lubricants containing asphalt materials. These impart adhesive properties to the lubricant and are often used in open gear applications.
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Bleeding
The tendency of a liquid component to separate from a solid or semi-solid mixture. Commonly seen when oil separates from grease.
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Blow-by
Passage of unburnt fuel and combustion gases past the piston rings of engines. Results in so-called fuel dilution of the crankcase lubricant.
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Boundary lubrication
Limited separation of two moving surfaces when the liquid film breaks down. For example under high loads, low speed or limited contact area. To prevent welding and resulting adhesive wear, anti-wear or extreme-pressure additives are added.
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Bright stock
Refined high viscosity lubricating oils, used in lubricants to maintain a stable film between surfaces.
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Brinelling
Denting caused by impact of one bearing component against another whilst stationary.
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Brookfield viscosity
Measure of the apparent viscosity of non-Newtonian fluids as determined by a Brookfield viscometer at a controlled temperature and shear rate.
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Carbon residue
Measure of the amount of carbonous material left behind after exposing the lubricant or oil to high temperatures under controlled conditions.
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Cavitation erosion
Wear characterised by the formation and rapid collapse of bubbles on the component surface.
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Centipoise (cP)
Unit of absolute viscosity.
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Centistoke (cSt)
A standard unit of kinematic viscosity.
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Cetane index
A value calculated from the density and distillation mid-point temperature of a fuel, used as an alternative to cetane number to indicate relative diesel ignition quality.
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Cetane number
A measure of the ignition quality of diesel fuel, as determined by a standard single cylinder engine test. The higher the number, the easier a high speed diesel engine will be to start, less white smoke and diesel knock after start-up.
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Cetane number improver
Additive, which improves the cetane number of diesel fuels.
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Channel point
Lowest safe temperature that a gear lubricant can be used.
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Cleveland open cup (COC)
Method to determine the flash and fire points of petroleum based products.
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Cloud point
Temperature at which a noticeable cloud of wax crystals appears when a sample of petroleum-based product is cooled under standard conditions. These wax crystals can block filters or other narrow pipes or pores. Hence cloud point important when determining the acceptability of diesel fuels for winter usage.
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Coefficient of friction
The ratio of the friction force between two bodies to the normal or perpendicular force between them.
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Cold cranking simulator (CCS)
An intermediate shear rate viscometer that predicts the ability of an oil to permit satisfactory cranking speed in a cold engine.
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Compounded oil
Commonly used industry term to describe a lubricant containing fats to impart lubricity eg cutting oils for aluminium, steam cylinder oils.
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Compression oil
The ratio of combustion space at bottom dead centre to that at top dead centre in an internal combustion engine.
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Copper strip corrosion
A measure of the corrosivity of lubricants on copper.
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Corrosion inhibitor
Additives that protect metal surfaces from chemical attack by water or other contaminant.
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Cutting oil or fluid
Lubricants used in the process of cutting metals or other materials. These generally cool and lubricate the tools tips, thus extending tool life and promoting smoother component finish.
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Defoamant (foam inhibitor)
Additive used in lubricating oils to assist the collapse of surface layers of foam.
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Demulsibility
A measure of a fluids ability to separate from water. The higher the demulsibility the faster the fluid separates from water.
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Denaturant
Noxious or toxic components added to usually alcohols to make them unfit for human consumption.
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Density
mass per unit volume ie mass/volume
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Detergency
Ability of a lubricating oil to reduce or prevent deposits formed under high temperature conditions or as a result of acidic components formed during combustion.
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Detergent
An additive added to formulations to keep surfaces clean. In engine oil formulations, these are commonly metallic soaps with some basicity to both combine with and neutralise acids and carboneous materials formed during combustion.
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Detonation
Uncontrolled burning of the last portion of the air/fuel mixture in the cylinder of a spark ignition engine. Also known as knock.
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Dewaxing
The process which removes wax from the lubricant distillate in the refining process by solvent or catalytic means.
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Dielectric strength
Measure of the insulating value of an electrical insulating medium. Important for electro discharging machining (EDM) and transformer oils.
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Disperancy
Ability of an oil to disperse and suspend fine particles which could form deposits, in solution.
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Distillate
A component of distillation eg kerosine, lubricant base stocks etc.
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Distillation
Term used to describe the process of heating up a liquid to separate the different boiling fractions. Used in crude oil refining to produce fuel and lubricant base stocks.
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Dropping point
Temperature at which the first drop of liquid separates when a grease is heated under prescribed conditions. For example, the temperature at which grease converts from a semi-solid to a liquid.
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Dynamic viscosity
see absolute viscosity.
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Elastohydrodynamic lubrication
The lubricant regime characterised by high unit loads and high speeds in rolling elements where elastic deformation of the mating parts occurs due to the incompressibility of the lubricant film under high pressure.
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Emission control systems
Equipment designed to reduce the level of atmospheric pollutants released to the atmosphere.
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Emulsifier
An additive that promotes the formation of emulsions. For example, oil and water separate when mixed, with the addition of the correct emulsifiers, the mixture when shaken becomes a stable solution.
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Emulsion
Intimate mixture of two or more liquid components which are incompatible or partially miscible with each other. So-called soluble oil cutting fluids typically contain over 60% oil in the concentrate and form a white emulsion when mixed with water. Micro-emulsion cutting fluids form sub-micron droplets when mixed with water and are thus translucent or transparent in nature.
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End point
Highest vapour temperature recorded during a distillation test of a petroleum stock.
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Engine deposits
Hard or persistent accumulation of sludge, varnish and carbonaceous residue due to blow-by of unburnt and partially burnt fuel, or the partial breakdown of the crankcase lubricant. Water from the condensation of combustion products, carbon, residues from fuel or lubricating oil additives, dust and metal particles also contribute.
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Exhaust gas recirculation (ERG)
System to reduce automotive emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx). It routes exhaust gases into the combustion chamber via the inlet manifold or carburettor, where they dilute the air/fuel mixture and reduce peak combustion hereby reducing NOx formation.
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Extreme Pressure (EP) additives
Prevent the sliding metal surfaces from seizing under extreme pressure conditions. Commonly used in cutting oil formulations to extend tool life.
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False brinelling
Fretting of one bearing component against another, may appear as a dent, but the original surface finish is worn away.
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Fatigue
Cracking, flaking or spiralling of a surface due to stresses beyond the endurance limit of the material.
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Fatty acid
Straight chain organic acid.
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Ferrography
Magnetic particle analysis. From a detailed study of the particles in an oil, it is possible to predict failure and take preventive maintenance.
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Filler
Any solid substance such as talc and other powders which is normally added to grease to increase weight, consistency etc.
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Filter
A device to clean oils of particulate matter.
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Fire point (Cleveland open cup)
The flash point of an oil is the temperature to which it must be heated to give off sufficient vapour to form momentarily, a flammable mixture with air when a small flame is applied under specified conditions.
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Flash point
Minimum temperature at which a fluid will support instantaneous combustion (a flash) but before it will burn continuously (fire point). Flash point is an important indicator of the fire and explosion hazards associated with petroleum products.
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Floc point
The temperature at which a flocculent collection of wax crystals first appears when a solution of freon in an oil is cooled under prescribed conditions. Also used to describe the temperature at which a flocculant forms when heating a poly alkylene glycol solution in water.
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Fluid friction
Occurs between the molecules of a gas or liquid in motion and is expressed as shear stress. Unlike solid friction, fluid friction varies with speed and area.
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Force feed lubrication
Usually automatic lubrication systems supply the lubricant under pressure to the bearings.
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Forming oil
A lubricant usually sprayed onto wood or metal moulds, into which concrete is poured. The lubricant ensures that the concrete does not stick to the moulds and determines surface finish. Also used to describe lubricants used in metal forming operations.
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Fretting corrosion
A process of mechanical attrition combined with chemical reaction. Usually takes place at the boundary of loaded contact surfaces moving in oscillatory motion.
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Friction
Resistance to motion of one object over another. Friction depends one surface texture, as well as the forces acting on the components.
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Frost
Field of micro pits and a form of adhesive wear.
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Full flow filtration
A system of filtration in which the total flow of circulating oil passes through the filter.
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FZG load stage
The load which can be transmitted by a pair of gears under the conditions of test and temperature in the FZG machine before failure of the gear surface occurs. Normal running temperature 90 deg C.
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Galling
see adhesive wear
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Gaseous fuels
Hydrocarbon gases (methane, ethane, propane, butane) which are used as internal combustion engine fuels.
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Gasohol
A blend of gasoline and methanol or ethanol for use in spark ignition engines.
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Graphite
A platelet form of carbon, which is used in lubricants to impart lubricity under high loads.
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Gravity
In petroleum products, the mass/volume relationship expressed as
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Grease
A lubricant composed of an oil or oils thickened with a soap or other thickener to make a solid or semi-solid product.
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Gum
A rubber like, sticky deposit, black or brown in colour which is the by-product of the oxidation of some lubricating oils in service.
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Hydraulic oils
a lubricant specially formulated for use as a power transmission medium in hydraulic equipment.
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Hydro-finishing
process for treating raw extracted base stocks with hydrogen to improve stability.
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Hydro-treating
a process which converts and removes undesirable components with the use of a catalyst.
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Hydrodynamic lubrication
full film lubrication ie the fluid is totally separating the moving surfaces.
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Hydrolytic stability
the ability of additives and certain synthetic lubricants to resist chemical decomposition (hydrolysis) in the presence of water.
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Hypoid gear lubricants
a special lubricants formulated to overcome the extreme pressure and sliding motion of hypoid gears found in differentials within transmission systems.
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Kinematic viscosity
measure of a fluid?s resistance to flow under gravity at a specific temperature (usually 40 or 100 deg C).
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Knock
noise associated with the premature ignition of the fuel-air mixture in a combustion chamber.
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KOH
potassium hydroxide.
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Lacquer
a thin, insoluble, non-wipeable film occurring on interior parts of compressor screws, engines etc. Can cause sticking and result in damage to mechanical components.
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Lands
the circumferential areas between the groves of a piston.
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Load carrying capacity
qualitative term to describe the ability of a lubricant to resist film rupture and protect against wear and surface destruction under conditions of high speeds, high loads, high temperatures or combinations of these.
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Lubrication
Control of friction and wear by the introduction of a friction reducing film between moving surfaces in contact. The film may be fluid, solid or plastic.
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Metal deactivator
Additive inhibiting the catalytic action of metals on the oil. Metals, particularly copper or alloys, are known to promote oil oxidation.
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Moly
Prefix typically used to describe molybdenum disulphide.
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Molybdenum disulphide
Chemical which has very good solid lubrication properties. Commonly used in greases and forming oils.
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Morphology
The study of the form of things.
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Polishing (bore)
Excessive smoothing of the surface finish of the cylinder bore or cylinder liner in an engine to mirror-like appearance, resulting in depreciation of ring sealing and oil consumption performance.
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Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV)
A system for removing blow-by gases from the crankcase and returning them through the carburettor intake manifold to the combustion chamber where they are burnt. A PC valve controls the flow of gases from the crankcase to reduce hydrocarbon emissions.
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Pour point
The lowest temperature at which the lubricant will flow.
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Pour point depressant
Additive used to lower pour point or low temperature fluidity of a petroleum product.
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Pre-ignition
Ignition of the fuel/air mixture in a gasoline engine before the spark plug fires. Often caused by incandescent fuel or lubricant deposits in the combustion chamber. It wastes power and may damage the engine.
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Pumpability
The low temperature, low stress-shear rate viscosity characteristics of an oil that permit satisfactory flow to and from the engine oil pump and subsequent lubrication of moving components.
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Ra
Ra is calculated as the Roughness Average of a surfaces measured microscopic peaks and valleys.
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Refining
Series of processes to convert crude oil and its fractions into finished petroleum products, including thermal cracking, catalytic cracking, polymerisation, alkylation, reforming, hydrocracking, hydroforming, hydrogenation, hydrogen treating, solvent extraction, dewaxing, de-oiling, acid treatment, clay filtration and deashphalting.
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Reid vapour pressure (RVP)
Usually used in reference to motor gasolines. It is the vapour pressure of a sample at 37.8 deg C (100 deg F).
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Rerefining
A process of reclaiming used lubricant oils and restoring them to a condition similar to virgin stocks by filtration, clay adsorption or more elaborate methods.
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Residual fuel
Fuel composed mainly of materials remaining as unevaporated after distillation of crude oil.
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Ridging
The characteristic rippled appearance on gear teeth.
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Ring sticking
Freezing of a piston ring in its grove in a piston engine or reciprocating compressor due to heavy deposits in the piston ring zone.
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Rings
Circular metallic elements that ride in the grooves of a piston and provide compression sealing during combustion. Also used to spread oil for lubrication.
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Rolling and preening
Form of plastic flow that gives the surface a hammered appearance. The metal may be rolled over gear teeth tips.
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Rust preventive
Additive which inhibits corrosion or lubricant formulated to prevent rusting of components in storage.
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SAE
Society of automotive engineers.
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Scratching
Fine abrasive furrows in the direction of sliding.
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Scuffing
Abnormal engine wear due to localised welding and fracture. It can be prevented by the addition of anti-wear, extreme-pressure and friction modifier additives.
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Solvent refining
A process for extracting lubricant base stocks from stripped heavy gas oil or other heavy, stripped crude stream using selective solvents such as furfural or phenol.
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Spalling
Severe damage characterised by large pits, cavities and cracks. Related to overloading and fatigue.
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Synthetic lubricant
Lubricants made by chemically reacting materials of a specific chemical composition to produce a compound with planned and predictable properties.
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Temporary shear stability index (TSSI)
The measure of the viscosity modifiers contribution to an oils percentage viscosity loss under high shear conditions. Temporary shear loss results from the reversible lowering of viscosity in the shear areas of the engine, an effect that can positively influence fuel economy and cold cranking speed.
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Temporary viscosity loss (TVL)
Measure of decrease in dynamic viscosity under high shear rates compared to dynamic viscosity under low shear.
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Tribology
The science of understanding interactions between surfaces moving against each other. Used to study lubricant interactions and influences.
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USDA H-1 and H-2
H-1 means that the products are suitable for applications where there might be incidental food contact, whereas H-2 are food grade products that should be used in areas where there is no risk of food contact.
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Valve lifter
Also called cam follower. The component in engines which translates the circular motion of the cam into reciprocating motion at the valve stem.
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Varnish
A thin, insoluble, non-wipeable film occurring on interior engine parts of gasoline engines. Can cause sticking and malfunction of close clearance moving parts. Called lacquer in diesel engines.
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Viscosity
A measure of a fluid resistance to flow.
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Viscosity index (VI)
An empirical number indicating the effect of temperature change on the viscosity of the oil. High VI means less change to viscosity with temperature.
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Viscosity modifier
Additive, usually a high molecular weight polymer, that reduces the tendency of an oil viscosity change with temperature.
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White oil
Highly refined lubricant base stock. Used for speciality applications such as cosmetics, release agents for bread in mould and medicines.