9/21/13 Types of Lubrication - Boundary, Hydrostatic, and Hydrodynamic

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Hydrostatic Lubrication

written by: Aggeliki K. • edited by: Lamar Stonecypher • updated: 1/21/2011

If one examines the requirements of lubrication among the large number of moving parts in a diesel engine, it will be noticed that the working conditions are varied

widely. Different types are used depending on their use and components of the engine.

A Necessary Function

All material surfaces, no matter how smooth they are, show many irregularities in the form of peaks and valleys, which are large when considered on a molecular

scale.

When these two solid surfaces are pressed over or slide over each other, a real contact between these surfaces occurs that will cause friction and consequently the

production of heat. During the motion of the sliding surfaces, a considerable amount of frictional heat is evolved at the rubbing surface. This results in high local

temperature even under relatively light loads and speeds. This friction also causes a lot of wear and tear of the surfaces of the moving parts.

Even under small load, the local pressure at the peaks of the metals may be sufficiently great to cause appreciable deformation in ductile metals. If two materials of

different hardness slide over one another, the peaks of the softer metal get broken more easily than the peaks of the harder metals.

Lubrication reduces friction between the moving surfaces or rolling pairs. The lubricant also acts as a coolant carrying heat away from the sliding surfaces, so proper

lubrication of all the moving parts is an important function in machinery or engine operation. By lubrication we keep the moving surfaces separated by a fluid of some

defined property.

Types of Lubrication

Considering the nature of motion between moving or sliding surfaces, there are different types of mechanisms by which the lubrication is done. They are:

Hydrodynamic lubrication or thick film lubrication

Hydrostatic lubrication

Boundary lubrication or thin film lubrication

Extreme pressure lubrication

Hydrodynamic Lubrication or Thick Film Lubrication

Hydrodynamic lubrication is said to exist when the moving surfaces are separated by the pressure of a continuous unbroken film or layer of lubrication. In this type of

lubrication, the load is taken completely by the oil film.

The basis of hydrodynamic lubrication is the formation of an oil wedge. When the journal rotates, it creates an oil taper or wedge between the two surfaces, and the

pressure build up with the oil film supports the load.

Hydrodynamic lubrication depends on the relative speed between the surfaces, oil viscosity, load, and clearance between the moving or sliding surfaces.

In hydrodynamic lubrication the lube oil film thickness is greater than outlet, pressure at the inlet increases quickly, remains fairly steady having a maximum value a

little to the outside of the bearing center line, and then decreases quickly to zero at the outlet.

Application of hydrodynamic lubrication

Delicate instruments.

Light machines like watches, clocks, guns, sewing machines.

Scientific instruments.

Large plain bearings like pedestal bearings, main bearing of diesel engines.

Hydrocarbon oils are considered to be satisfactory lubrication for fluid film lubrication. In order to maintain the viscosity of the oil in all seasons of the year, ordinary

hydrocarbon lubricants are blended with selected long chain polymers.

Hydrodynamic Lubrication

Next Page: Hydrostatic, Boundary, and Extreme Pressure Lubrication

lubrication system is very important in diesel engines.Lubrication reduces friction between the moving surfaces or rolling pairs. various types of lubrication like

hydrodynamic lubrication, hydrostatic lubrication, boundary lubrication which are used in diesel engines are explained in this article .

Hydrostatic Lubrication

Hydrostatic lubrication is essentially a form of hydrodynamic lubrication in which the metal surfaces are separated by a complete film of oil, but instead of being self-

generated, the separating pressure is supplied by an external oil pump. Hydrostatic lubrication depends on the inlet pressure of lube oil and clearance between the

metal surfaces, whereas in hydrodynamic lubrication it depends on the relative speed between the surfaces, oil viscosity, load on the surfaces, and clearance

between the moving surfaces.

Example: the cross head pin bearing or gudgeon pin bearing in two stroke engines employs this hydrostatic lubrication mechanism. In the cross head bearing, the

load is very high and the motion is not continuous as the bearing oscillation is fairly short. Thus hydrodynamic lubrication cannot be achieved. Under such conditions,

hydrostatic lubrication offers the advantage. The oil is supplied under pressure at the bottom of bearing. The lube oil pump pressure is related to the load, bearing

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clearance, and thickness of the oil film required, but is usually in the order of 35-140 kg/cm .

Hydrostatic Lubrication

Boundary Lubrication or Thin Film Lubrication

Boundary lubrication exists when the operating condition are such that it is not possible to establish a full fluid condition, particularly at low relative speeds between

the moving or sliding surfaces.

The oil film thickness may be reduced to such a degree that metal to metal contact occurs between the moving surfaces. The oil film thickness is so small that

oiliness becomes predominant for boundary lubrication.

Boundary lubrication happens when

A shaft starts moving from rest.

The speed is very low.

The load is very high.

Viscosity of the lubricant is too low.

Examples for boundary lubrication:

Guide and guide shoe in two stroke engine.

Lubrication of the journal bearing in diesel engines (mainly during starting and stopping of engine).

Piston rings and when cylinder liner is at TDC and BDC position when the piston direction changes and if the relative speed is very slow.

Boundary Lubrication

Extreme Pressure Lubrication

When the moving or sliding surfaces are under very high pressure and speed, a high local temperature is attained. Under such condition, liquid lubricant fails to stick

to the moving parts and may decompose and even vaporize. To meet this extreme pressure condition, special additives are added to the minerals oils. These are

called “extreme pressure lubrication.” These additives form on the metal surfaces more durable films capable of withstanding high loads and high temperature.

Additives are organic compounds like chlorine (as in chlorinated esters), sulphur (as in sulphurized oils), and phosphorus (as in tricresyl phosphate).

www.roymech.co.uk/.../Liquid_Lubrication.htm

encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/antifrict..

www.oilmaintenance.com/ml/200109/sleeve.asp

http://www.alternative-energy-resources.net/types_of_lubricants.html

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