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I.

OBJECTIVES
1. To be able to determine the melting point of grease.

II. THEORY AND PRINCIPLE

Grease is a semifluid to solid mixture of a fluid lubricant, a thickener and


additives. The fluid lubricant that performs the actual lubrication can be petroleum
(mineral) oil, synthetic oil, or vegetable oil. The thickener gives grease its
characteristic consistency and is sometimes thought of as a three-dimensional
fibrous network or sponge that holds the oil in place.

The function of grease is to remain in contact with and lubricate moving


surfaces without leaking out under gravity or centrifugal action, or be squeezed
under pressure. Its major practical requirement is that it retains its properties under
shear at all temperatures that it is subjected to during use. At the same time, grease
must be able to flow into the bearing through grease guns and from spot to spot in
the lubricated machinery as needed, but must not add significantly to the power
required to operate the machine, particularly at startup. (Boehringer 1992).

Flash and fire point. The flash point is the lowest temperature to which a
lubricant must be heated before its vapor, when mixed with air, will ignite but not
continue to burn. The fire point is the temperature at which lubricant combustion
will be sustained. The flash and fire points are useful in determining a lubricants
volatility and fire resistance. The flash point can be used to determine the storage
temperature contamination. A lubricant exhibiting a flash point significantly lower
than normal will be suspected of contamination with a volatile product. The flash
point and fire point should not be confused with the auto-ignition temperature of a
lubricant. which is the temperature at which lubricant will ignite spontaneously
without an external ignition source.

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Since lubricating oil can be oxidize, so can the base oil in grease. When the
grease oxidizes, it usually darkens; there is a build-up of acidic oxidation products,
just as in other lubrications. These products can have a destructive effect on the
thickener, causing softening, oil bleeding, and leakage. Because grease does not
conduct heat easily, serious oxidation can begin at a hot point and spread slowly
through the grease. This produces carbonization and progressive hardening or crust
formation. All things considered the effects of oxidation are more harmful in grease
than in oil.

The rate of oxidation is mainly dependent on the temperature. Here it is


good to understand that if soap-based grease is heated, its penetration increases
only very slowly until a certain critical temperature is reached. At this point the gel
structure breaks down, and the whole grease becomes liquid. This critical
temperature is called the drop point.

The dropping point of grease is the temperature at which the thickener loses
its ability to maintain the base oil within the thickener matrix. This may be due to
the thickener melting or the oil becoming so thin that the surface tension and
capillary action become insufficient to hold the oil within the thickener matrix. ASTM
D2265 (preferred over the older and less precise ASTM D566) is the standard
method used to determine the dropping point of grease. A small grease sample is
placed in a cup and heated in a controlled manner in an oven-like device. When the
first drop of oil falls from the lower opening of the cup, the temperature is recorded
to determine the dropping point (picture 4). Dropping point is a function of the
thickener type. High drop points, typically above 240°C, are commonly observed for
lithium complex, calcium complex, aluminum complex, polyurea and clay greases
while much lower dropping points are typical of conventional lithium (180°C),
calcium (180°C) and sodium (120°C) soaps. The dropping point is one of the
determinations that characterize the grease’s thermal stability. However, it is NOT
an accurate prediction of the grease’s upper operating temperature limit which is a
function of many variables such as base oil oxidation stability, additive degradation,

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thickener shearing, oil separation and so forth. A high dropping point, while not a
predictor of upper operating temperature, is an indicator of the maximum peak
temperature that the grease may be subjected to for a short duration while not
releasing oil excessively and therefore drastically reducing the life of the grease and
potentially damaging the equipment in the long run.

The dropping point is useful to assist in identifying the grease as to type for
establishing and maintaining bench marks for quality control. The results are to be
considered to have only limited significance with respect to service performance
because dropping point is a static test.

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III. LIST OF APPARATUS
1. Bunsen Burner

2. Thermometer with stand

3. Graduated Cylinder
4. Tripod

5. Test Tube

6. Grease Cup

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7. Beaker

8. Test Tube holder

9. Wire Gauge

10. Gloves

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11. Stop Watch

12. Oil

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IV. PROCEDURE

1. Prepare the materials needed for the experiment.

2. Set up the apparatus for observing warming behaviour.

3. Fill up the grease cup with a national type grease and wipe of any excess.

4. Record the initial temperature of the grease.

5. Place the grease cup inside the test tube and attach a thermometer inside

with the tip touching the grease. Use a cork to hold the thermometer in the

test tube.

6. Put 125ml edible oil in the beaker.

7. Place the beaker on the tripod with wire gauze.

8. Submerge the test tube inside the beaker with edible oil.

9. Light up the Bunsen burner and start heating the set up.

10. Record the time and temperature the moment the grease melts and drop.

11. Repeat the above procedure using multi-purpose type grease.

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V. SET-UP

Figure 1. Shows the grease cup filled with Multi-purpose Lithium Grease 3, the grease assigned
to Group 2.

For the assigned grease, fill up the grease cup to the brim and clean the
exterior of the cup after.

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Figure 2. Shows the arrangement of apparatus for performing the grease drop test.

The set up is done in this way: The top set up contains the grease cup inside
the test tube with a thermometer held in place on top (and middle) of the cup. The
bottom set up is the beaker set on top of a tripod and wire gauze. The timer was
started the moment the Bunsen burner was placed on the bottom on the top set up.

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Figure 3. Close up view of the thermometer positioned in cup for determining the temperature
at which the 1st drop of oil is released

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VI. FINAL DATA SHEET

Melting Point
SN Type of Grease
Temperature Time
1-12 Multi-purpose Grease NLG 3 900C 9 min 31 secs

13-25 Multi-purpose Lithium Grease 3 1780C 21 min 51 secs

VII. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS


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In this experiment grease drop test were performed using National Lithium
Grease (NLG) 3, and Lithium Grease 3. Note that both types of grease used are multi-
purpose.

There is a significant difference with the temperature and time it takes for
one drop of grease to fall between the NLG 3 grease and the Lithium Grease 3. The
former had a drop point temperature of 91 0C and took 9 mins 42 seconds. While the
latter needed twice as much time and temperature (relative to the Celsius scale).
The readings for the Lithium Grease 3 were 184 0C at a time of 25 minutes 2 seconds.
Some of the sources of errors are impurities and/or additives in the substances
within the oil itself or maybe wrong positioning of the thermometer.

Clearly, the Lithium Grease 3 has a higher drop point than the NLG 3 grease.
This may mean that the thickener used for the Lithium Grease is more complex. In
addition, it was observed that the Lithium Grease 3 was thicker in consistency when
compared to the NLG 3.

Note that a high dropping point is important for bearings operating at


elevated temperatures. However, just because a grease has a high dropping point
doesn’t mean the base oil can withstand elevated temperatures. The dropping point
does not equate to the maximum usable temperature. There should be a buffer
between the temperature at which the bearing operates and the dropping point of
the grease.

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VIII. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Explain flash point and fire point and their significance in lubricating oil.

Flash point is the lowest temperature at which the oil gives off enough
vapour that ignite for a moment, when a small flame is brought near it. Fire
point is the lowest temperature at which the vapor of the oil burns continuously
for at least 5 seconds, when a small flame is brought near it. Generally, the fire
point is 5-40°C higher than flash point.

A knowledge of flash and fire point is useful in providing protection


against fire hazard during transport and storage. Lubricating oils of paraffinic
base possess higher flash points than those of naphthenic base. Hence the
determination of flash and fire points is helpful in identifying the type of
lubricating oil. A good lubricating oil should have flash and fire points higher than
the operating temperature of the machine.

2. What is pour point and cloud point and their significance in lubricating oil?

When an oil is cooled slowly the temperature at which the oil becomes
cloudy in temperature is called its cloud point. The temperature at which the oil
ceases to flow or pour is called its pour point.

Most of the petroleum based lubricating oils contain dissolved paraffin


wax and asphaltic impurities. When the oil is cooled these impurities undergoes
solidification which cause jamming of the machine. So, the cloud and pour points
indicate the suitability of the lubricants in cold condition. A good lubricant must
have cloud point and pour point.

3. Define the term aniline point of a lubricating point.

Aniline point of the lubricant oil is defined as the minimum equilibrium


solution temperature for equal volumes of aniline and lubricant oil samples. It

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gives an indication of the possible deterioration of the lubricant oil in contact
with rubber sealing; packing, etc. Aromatic hydrocarbons have a tendency to
dissolve natural rubber and certain types of synthetic rubbers. Consequently,
low aromatic content in the lubricant oil is desirable. A higher aniline point
means a higher percentage of paraffinic hydrocarbons and hence, a lower
percentage of aromatic hydrocarbons.

Aniline point is determined by mixing mechanically equal volumes of the


lubricant oil samples and aniline in a test tube. The mixture is heated, till
homogenous solution is obtained. Then, the tube is allowed to cool at a
controlled rate. The temperature at which the two phases (the lubricant oil and
aniline) separate out is recorded at the aniline point.

4. What are the characteristics of a good lubricating oil?

A good lubricating oil should have a high boiling point, low freezing point,
adequate viscosity for proper functioning in service, high resistance to oxidation
and heat, non-corrosive properties and stability to decomposition at the
operating temperatures.

5. How does temperature affect lubricants?

Fluid temperature stability is essential to the success of mechanical


systems. All hydraulic and lubricating fluids have practical limits on the
acceptable operating temperature range - both high and low levels. The machine
loses stability and experiences conditional failure whenever the system’s fluid
temperature violates these limits. If left unabated, the conditional failure
ultimately results in both material and performance degradation of machine
components.

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Temperature extremes have a pronounced effect on component
materials as well as machine performance. When temperature is too low, fluid
viscosity is high. At low temperatures, the fluid often reaches the point where it
actually congeals and will no longer flow (pour point). High temperature also
accelerates wear, destroys hydrodynamic lubrication regimes, increases the
oxidation rate, fosters additive depletion and affects other critical aspects of the
machine.

6. What are the three essential components of grease?


The three essential components: base oil, thickener, and additives.

Base oil comprises the largest component of a grease, representing 80 -


97% by weight. The choice of base fluid may be mineral oil, synthetic oil, or any
fluid that provides lubricating properties. It must be noted that the base oil
portion of a grease performs the actual lubrication except in very slow or
oscillating applications.

The thickener may be any material that, in combination with the base oil,
will produce the solid to semi-fluid structure. Simply put, a grease thickener in
combination with the base oil acts much the same way as a sponge holding
water. Principal thickeners used in greases include lithium, aluminum, calcium
soaps; clay; polyurea; either alone or in combination.

Additives: As in lubricating oil additives, grease additives and modifiers


impart special properties or modify existing ones. Additives and modifiers
commonly used in lubricating greases are oxidation or rust inhibitors, polymers,
extreme pressure additives, anti-wear agents, lubricity or friction-reducing
agents and dyes or pigments.

7. What is grease consistency?

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Consistency is defined as the degree to which a plastic material resists
deformation under the application of force. In the case of lubricating greases,
this is a measure of the relative hardness or softness and has some relation to
flow and dispensing properties. Consistency is measured by ASTM D 217, Cone
Penetration of Lubricating Grease and is often reported in terms of NLGI grade.

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IX. CONCLUSION

It is concluded that the melting point of grease is able to be determined


using the simple procedure of the grease drop test. Depending on the types of
thickeners, base oil and additives used, the time and temperature needed to melt
the heat will vary. In addition, this will also give knowledge about other physical
properties of the grease itself, and enables the grease to be properly used in
practice or in the industry.

The highlight in this experiment is that the significance of knowing the


melting point of grease had given us knowledge on safety in storing and shipping oils
– that the temperatures must be controlled to avoid oxidation of such substances.

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X. Reference/s
 https://www.engineersedge.com/lubrication/dropping_point_grease.htm
 http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/1352/grease-basics
 http://www.engineersedge.com/lubrication/flash_point_fire_point.htm
 http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/30210/high-speed-grease
 http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/19
 http://www.bp.com/sectiongenericarticle.do?
categoryId=9031130&contentId=7056968
 http://www.slideshare.net/physics101/flash-and-fire-point,
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pour_point
 http://www.engineersedge.com/lubrication/cloud_point_oil.htm
 Michael A. Collier, “Flash Point - It’s a Factor for Your Everyday Safety”,
http://www.astm.org/SNEWS/JUNE_2004/collier2_jun04.html
 http://me-mechanicalengineering.com/properties-of-good-lubricants/
 http://refractoriess.blogspot.com/2009/11/flash-point-and-fire-point.html
 http://cuiet.info/notes/chemistry/Lubricants.pdf
 http://www.sircrrengg.ac.in/images/Others/Mech/ME-1LAB.pdf

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