How to Determine if Lubricants Comply with EPA Standards

“Do all environmentally friendly lubricants have approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)? How can you determine if lubricants are compliant with EPA standards?” When it comes to environmentally friendly lubricants, the Vessel General Permit (VGP) is one of the key standards to be aware of. It outlines the requirements for environmentally friendly lubricants, […]

Factors for Better Oil Filtration

“Which factors are the most important to consider in regard to oil filtration?” Contamination is a leading killer of machines and lubricants alike. To help combat this, filtration systems are frequently used. In establishing a filtration program, several factors must be considered, such as the type of filtration device, type of contaminant being filtered (water […]

Bio-based or Biodegradable Lubricants: What’s the Difference?

  “What are the differences between biodegradable lubricants and bio-based lubricants?” Because environmentally friendly lubricants are somewhat new and not as clearly defined as other lubrication concepts, many people struggle with certain terms such as bio-based and biodegradable. When discussing these types of lubricants, it is imperative to apply the proper terminology and to understand […]

Fire-resistant Hydraulic Fluids: What You Should Know

    Fire-resistant fluids are most often associated with hydraulic systems. In some of these systems, components must operate at an extremely high temperature, which means you will want to use a fluid that does not ignite easily in the event of a leak. This helps to reduce risk and ensure the safety of plant […]

Water In Oil Contamination

Much has been said about particle contamination and its effect on component longevity. It is well known that an improvement in particle contamination by one ISO Cleanliness Code can result in a 10 to 30 percent increase in the life of contamination-sensitive components such as hydraulic valves, pumps, and journal and rolling element bearings. Industry […]

Finding the Cause of Foam in Oil

  Foam may seem harmless, but if unaccounted for, it can lead to serious issues in a machine. Foam finds its way into the oil volume’s headspace after the oil has initially become aerated. Small amounts of air in oil isn’t uncommon, particularly if the oil is expected to become agitated, such as in a […]