REAL-WORLD CASE STUDIES
Using Synthetics For Energy Savings Suppliers have long touted energy savings as a good reason for switching from mineral oils to synthetics. Are those savings real? Ray Thibault CLS, OMA I, OMA II, MLT, MLT II, MLA II, MLA III Contributing Editor
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ynthetics offer users a number of clear advantages over mineral-based lubricants, including: better film strength (to reduce wear); the ability to operate at high temperatures (resulting in lower oxidation and longer drain intervals); good flowability at low temperatures (because no wax is present); and high viscosity indexes (allowing consolidation of lubricants over various viscosity ranges). When it comes to energy savings related to the use of synthetics, however, not all claims can be substantiated. That could be a result of poor measurement techniques.
8 | LUBRICATION MANAGEMENT & TEChNOLOGy
MAY/JUNE 2013