3.3 Lubricant Protective Additives
Oxidation Inhibitors. Oxidation inhibitors, or
antioxidants, lengthen a lubricants service or
storage life by increasing its oxidation resis-
tance by binding the free oxygen in the oil or
by neutralizing the catalytic effect of metals.
antioxidants, lengthen a lubricants service or
storage life by increasing its oxidation resis-
tance by binding the free oxygen in the oil or
by neutralizing the catalytic effect of metals.
Foam Inhibitors. Foam inhibitors prevent lubri-
cant foaming by decreasing the surface
tension of air bubbles, allowing them to
combine into large ones which break more
rapidly.
cant foaming by decreasing the surface
tension of air bubbles, allowing them to
combine into large ones which break more
rapidly.
3.4 Additive Depletion
Some additives such as, antiwear and extreme
pressure additives, and rust, oxidation, and
corrosion inhibitors, are consumed as they are
used. When all of a particular additive has
been consumed, the lubricant is no longer
capable of performing as originally intended.
Usually this condition requires replacement of
the lubricant, but in some cases replenishment
of the additive is possible. The lubricant
manufacturer should be consulted before this
is attempted.
pressure additives, and rust, oxidation, and
corrosion inhibitors, are consumed as they are
used. When all of a particular additive has
been consumed, the lubricant is no longer
capable of performing as originally intended.
Usually this condition requires replacement of
the lubricant, but in some cases replenishment
of the additive is possible. The lubricant
manufacturer should be consulted before this
is attempted.
3.5 After Market Additives
There are a number of after market lubricant
additives that are being marketed as solutions
to many lubricating problems. These additives
additives that are being marketed as solutions
to many lubricating problems. These additives
may contain teflon or some other "secret ingre-
dient'' that supposedly imparts Improved
lubricating qualities to the lubricant. There may
be cases where these additives improve perfor-
mance in some way, or at least appear to
improve performance, but in most cases their
usefulness is questionable at best. These addi-
tives may actually reduce a lubricants
effectiveness by reacting with some of the addi-
tives already in the oil.
dient'' that supposedly imparts Improved
lubricating qualities to the lubricant. There may
be cases where these additives improve perfor-
mance in some way, or at least appear to
improve performance, but in most cases their
usefulness is questionable at best. These addi-
tives may actually reduce a lubricants
effectiveness by reacting with some of the addi-
tives already in the oil.
The major lubricant manufacturers spend a
great deal of time and money formulating their
products so that they provide optimum perfor-
mance for particular applications. If some
additive is available that will Improve a
lubricant to the extent claimed by many of the
after market additive distributors, the lubricant
manufacturer would have added it to their
product.
great deal of time and money formulating their
products so that they provide optimum perfor-
mance for particular applications. If some
additive is available that will Improve a
lubricant to the extent claimed by many of the
after market additive distributors, the lubricant
manufacturer would have added it to their
product.
If a lubricant is not performing as It should, a
different lubricant may be required, or some
mechanical problem may exist. Before adding
anything to a lubricant, the lubricant's
manufacturer should be consulted. The
lubricant manufacturer can provide
information on the possible benefits, or
consequences, of the additive, and
recommend whether a different lubricant is
required.
different lubricant may be required, or some
mechanical problem may exist. Before adding
anything to a lubricant, the lubricant's
manufacturer should be consulted. The
lubricant manufacturer can provide
information on the possible benefits, or
consequences, of the additive, and
recommend whether a different lubricant is
required.
7 (FIST 2-4 11/90)