How to accurately grasp the oil change period of the equipment?
author: Leila
2024-09-18
We all know that if the lubricating oil deteriorates, the machinery cannot be well lubricated and protected, and wear and tear will occur. Regular oil change is a concept we are more familiar with, and the oil should be changed according to the recommended oil change period. It is easier to change the oil on schedule, but to be precise, it should be the most scientific to "change the oil according to the quality", especially for more important equipment, more expensive machines and large equipment. The oil change period should be determined by oil testing, because the working conditions and use conditions of the equipment are different. So how to determine the oil change time? Which indicators are the lubricating oil sounding the "alarm" for us? The following points need our focus:
Total acid number (TAN):
The deterioration of lubricating oil is mainly oxidation, which will generate acidic substances and increase the acid value. After the lubricating oil is put into use, tracking and testing the acid value can achieve two purposes: understanding the performance of the lubricating oil and determining whether the lubricating oil should be changed. After the lubricating oil is put into use, if the acid value is significantly increased compared to the new oil, it means that there is a problem with the lubricating oil. If there is no doubt about the performance of the lubricant, then the use conditions of the lubricant should be improved. The most common problem is that the lubricant is contaminated and the oil temperature is not well controlled.
Moisture content:
Lubricants are afraid of water. Lubricants themselves are hygroscopic and will absorb moisture in the air. Therefore, attention should be paid to sealing. For humid environments that are easy to contact with water, and places with high air humidity, it is very important to monitor the moisture content. Lubricants have a certain oil-water separation ability. Lubricants with good oil-water separation ability can quickly separate into oil and water layers, and the separated water can be discharged. However, lubricants themselves will also absorb moisture, and the moisture content that can be tolerated is very limited. A small amount of moisture can reduce the performance of lubricants, so it is important to monitor the moisture content. At the same time, waterproofing and water removal should be done well, especially prevention.
Particle count:
The cleanliness inside the equipment lubrication system is also very critical. The particle count can reflect the cleanliness of the system, as well as the filtering performance. It is also an important oil change indicator. If the particle count is too high, the lubricant needs to be replaced. During use, the lubricant carries impurities inside the system. As impurities accumulate, the performance of the lubricant will be affected. An effective filtration system can not only extend the service life of the oil, but also reduce the wear of the equipment.
Metal elements:
Detecting the content of metal elements has two main functions, one is to detect the wear inside the equipment, and the other is to detect the condition of additives. The metal elements in the lubricating oil mainly come from the metal elements in the additives, and the other is the metal wear debris of the machinery. The exhaustion of additives is one of the reasons for the deterioration of the lubricating oil.
Viscosity:
The viscosity change of the lubricating oil is directly related to the wear of the machinery. The general rule is that when the viscosity change is greater than 10%, the oil should be changed.
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