Lube Talk

Glossary of Common Terms

A

ADDITIVE

Any material added to oil or grease to improve its performance in service. Additives are designed to enhance the lubricants properties or give it properties it would not otherwise contain.

ACID

A chemical substance characterized by having an available reactive hydrogen requiring alkali to neutralize them.

AGMA

American Gear Manufacturers Association, one of whose activities is the establishment and promotion of gear lubricant standards.

ALKALI

A chemical substance with marked basic properties. The term is applied to hydroxides of ammonium, lithium, potassium, sodium, barium and calcium. They are soluble in water and have the power of neutralizing acids.

ANTI-FOAMAGENT

An additive that causes foam to rapidly dissipate. It promotes small bubbles into large bubbles that burst easier.

ANTI-FRICTION BEARING

A rotating element bearing that employs rollers or balls. Usually termed rolling bearings.

ANTI-OXIDENT AGENT

A chemical additive that increases a lubricant s oxidation resistance, which lengthens its service and storage life.

ANTI-WEARAGENT

An additive used to minimize wear caused by metal-to-metal contact during conditions of mild boundary lubrication (e.g. stop-starts, oscillation motion, e.g.).

API

American Petroleum Institute.

ASTM

American Society for Testing & Materials, an organization devoted to knowledge promotion of engineering materials and standardization of specifications and testing methods used in lubricant manufacturing.

B

BLEEDING

The separation of oil from grease. In some cases, bleeding is desirable, since it provides continuous lubrication to the bearing.

BOUNDARY LUBRICATION

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