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Q & A

"Apart from the data on the multi-pass filter test, what other ISO standards exist for the evaluation of filter performance that I can use to objectively select a filter?"

The ISO standard for multi-pass testing (ISO 16889) has recently changed to require filter manufacturers to publish their data for the Beta Ratios across a wide size range, that is, at 2, 20, 75, 100, 200 and 1000 microns. Historically filter beta ratios were published at either 75 or 200 with an absolute rating (per ISO 4572). The new standard gives a better interpretation of the filter's overall performance, and can be better compared against competitor offerings.

In addition to the new multi-pass data, consider the following data:

• ISO 2941 - 1974 - Verification of collapse/burst resistance.

• ISO 2942 - 1994 - Verification of fabrication integrity and determination of the first bubble point.

• ISO 2943 - 1998 - Verification of material compatibility with fluids.

• ISO 3723 - 1976 - Method for end load test.

• ISO 3724 - 1976 - Verification of flow fatigue characteristics.

• ISO 3968 - 1981 - Evaluation of pressure drop versus flow characteristics.

These additional tests are useful for comparison where the installation may be an unusual lubricant, an extreme contaminant sensitive workpiece, a high-pressure fluid power system or a safety critical application. When selecting for a noncritical system with no unusual requirements, evaluation of filter suppliers the multi-pass data, in addition to other commercial criteria, will normally suffice.

Today's Tip

• Always ensure the correct lifting and carrying equipment is available. Avoid lowering the barrel onto any small, sharp objects. These objects can pierce the barrel and cause leakage, that if unnoticed, could pose a safety risk to the person moving the barrel as well as other colleagues.

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Book Bits

From the book "Synthetic Lubricants and High Performance Functional Fluids":

The use of PAO-based gear oils in industrial settings can lead to important savings in energy consumption, as well as decreased downtime and lower maintenance requirements. The wide range of operating temperatures allows the use of less viscous oils, which results in greater energy efficiency. The relatively low coefficient of friction for PAOs reduces the amount of internal friction created by the normal shearing of an oil film during operation.

Improved scuffing performance for gear/circulating oils has been demonstrated by Jackson et al., who studied the influence of lubricant traction characteristics on the load at which scuffing occurs. The study compared low traction PAO-based lubricants with mineral oils in additive-free, antiwear, and extreme pressure (EP) formulations. Benefits of 25-220% were observed for the PAO-based synthetic lubricants over mineral oils. The investigators found that low traction PAO-based lubricants uniformly gave higher scuffing loads per unit width than the mineral-based fluids tested at both high and low specific film thickness. PAO-based gear and circulating oils outperformed mineral oil-based gear and circulating oils, respectively. PAOs were also shown to be very responsive to additives.

The advantages of PAOs as lubricants in conveyor applications has been demonstrated by Paton et al. Gearboxes lubricated with a fully synthetic poly(a-olefin)-based gear oil (75W-90) was studied. An all-season PAO-based fluid was chosen for pulley shaft bearing lubrication.

For more information about the book "Synthetic Lubricants and High Performance Functional Fluids" go to:

http://www.noria.com/secure/product_detail.asp?catalogid=11

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