Monday, January 16, 2006

Proper Lubricant Storage

Proper storage environment and handling practices extend lubricant shelf life.

The environment in which lubricants are stored greatly affects their shelf life. Because lubricants are not always stored under ideal conditions, it is difficult to identify a specific shelf life, and recommended shelf lives cited by manufacturers often differ considerably.

A number of factors affect a lubricant's shelf life:

Product Design
Some formulation chemistries and additives are more aggressive than others. The nature of the chemistry can affect lubricant shelf life.


Storage Temperature
High heat (above 100 degrees F) and extreme cold (below 0 degrees F) can affect lubricant stability. Ideal storage temperatures are between 45 and 80 degrees F.

Water
Water can promote microbial growth, as well as react with additives to form insoluble materials. The presence of water is often the result of improper handling procedures or condensation. Water condensation can occur when storage temperatures fluctuate over a wide temperature range.

Read the rest of the article: http://www.upmpg.com/lubricationnews/lubricationnews_2006_mar-jan.htm

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