Lubrication selection (MLA1)

1. Which of the synthetic base oils is widely used as crankcase oil and is mixable with mineral oil?
Polyalphaolefin (PAO)
 It is a synthetic hydrocarbon; chemically, it is the same as a mineral oil.
2. The viscosity of ISO 220 oil is similar to what SAE gear oil at the same temperature?
SAE 90
 However, SAE 90 gear oil may also be comparable to ISO 320 or ISO 150 oil, depending on
the temperature.
3. Identify good sources of fire-resistant hydraulic fluids.
Water glycol, oil-water emulsion and phosphate ester
 Water glycol and oil-water emulsions both have water to provide fire resistance. Phosphate
ester naturally does not support its own combustion.
4. What is a Polyalphaolefin (PAO)?
 A synthetic hydrocarbon
5. What would be best practice when purchasing lubricants?
Purchase on quality and performance specification, not on price.
 The lubricant must meet the minimum performance demands of the equipment.
6. Name disadvantages of using synthetic lubricants?
 Additive suspension; seal compatibility; high cost; compatibility with hoses, coatings and
other lubricants; toxicity and hazardous disposal costs; and hydrolytic stability (excessive
degrading in the presence of water)
7. If an automotive engine or gear oil is designed to meet more than one SAE viscosity limit, what is it
commonly called?
Multigrade
 Examples would include SAE 10W-40, SAE 15W-40, SAE 5W-50, etc. These are most widely
used in passenger vehicles and diesel engines.
8. When an oil oxidizes, what does its viscosity typically do?
It increases.
 The oil molecule becomes larger as it oxidizes, which causes the viscosity to increase.
9. Describe a dibasic ester.
Product of the reaction between long-chain alcohols and carboxylic acids
 Effective as reciprocating compressor lubricants, dibasic esters provide excellent solvency
and detergency. However, the aggressiveness of diesters toward elastomers, seals and
hoses limit their application.
10. Theoretically, high viscosity index (VI) oils are needed only under what conditions?
A wide range of temperatures
 High VI oils are generally required where machines are likely to operate over a wide range of
temperatures, such as outdoors.
11. The viscosity of SAE 50 engine oil is similar to what SAE gear oil at the same temperature?
SAE 90
 However, SAE 90 gear oil may also be comparable to SAE 40 engine oil, depending on the
temperature.
12. Name a common lubricant that uses an overbased detergent additive.
Motor oils
 These are the only oils that contain overbased detergents. They provide protection against
acid generation and help to control carbon deposits.
13. Is the color of fresh/new lubricant significant to its performance?
Generally, no
 A new lubricant's color does not impact its performance except in the case of medicinal and
white oils. However, a change in color can be significant when the lubricant is in use and
may prompt action due to oxidation or thermal degradation. Photosynthesis can also occur
but may not require prompt action.
14. What concentration of additives might be found in typical diesel engine crankcase oils?
 Typically, the concentration ranges from 10-30 percent.
15. Which of the base oil types has the highest VI?
Polyalphaolefins (PAOs)
 These are man-made hydrocarbons, which are less prone to changes in viscosity in relation
to temperature changes.
16. Which of the mineral oil types has the highest pour point?
Paraffinic mineral oil
 This oil has the greatest concentration of paraffin (wax), which crystallizes at lower
temperatures.
17. In what ways do seals commonly change when it in contact with an incompatible oil?
 They may shrink or swell, and this is more commonly associated with synthetic lubricants.
18. What would be the normal viscosity range for hydraulic oil at operating temperature?
20 to 100 centistokes
 This is common for most hydraulic systems.
19. When selecting a lubricating oil for a particular application, what is typically the first step?
Selecting the viscosity
 Viscosity is the most important property of a lubricant and should be the first step in
determining the proper lubricant for an application.
20. If an automotive engine or gear oil is designed to meet only one SAE viscosity limit, what is it
commonly called?
Single or monograde
 Examples would include SAE 30, SAE 40, etc. These are used mostly in small air-cooled
engines.
21. What is oil dispersed in water called?
An emulsion
 The oil often appears cloudy or milky. There is a higher percentage of water than oil.
22. Which additives are multifunctional?
Zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP), detergents and polymethyl acrylate (PMA)
 Zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) is an effective anti-wear additive and oxidation inhibitor.
Detergents are also multifunctional. They keep surfaces clean and neutralize acids.
Polymethyl acrylate (PMA) is another common additive used as a viscosity index improver
(VII) and Defoamants.
23. What would be the normal viscosity range for roller bearing oil at operating temperature?
10 to 300 centistokes
 Many variables impact the viscosity requirement, including speed, load and bearing design.
24. Which additive is commonly found in hydraulic fluids?
Zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP)
 ZDDP is a compound made of zinc and phosphorus which is used as an anti-wear (AW)
additive.
 25. When does it make sense to switch to a cheaper oil?
When leaks are high and the cheaper oil performs the required function
 Leaking systems should be repaired quickly.
26. Which additive are commonly found in turbine oil?
 Anti-foam, rust inhibitor, antioxidant and demulsifying agents
27. What factors influences the choice of viscosity of rolling element bearing?
 Common factors are load, speed, open or closed configuration, oil feed and bearing size.
28. The viscosity designated by 80W-140 is associated with which type of oil?
Driveline gear oil
 The 80W-140 SAE viscosity designation is specified in the SAE J-306 classification.
29. What would be the normal viscosity range for an engine oil at operating temperature?
10 to 50 centistokes
 This is for SAE motor grades 20-60.
30. Which grease consistency is more like peanut butter?
NLGI grade #2
 This grade has a consistency very much like that of peanut butter.
31. What type of hydraulic component is sensitive to failure by silt lock?
Servo valves
 The clearances inside servo valves are tight, causing them to be more susceptible to binding.
If hydraulic fluids are not kept clean, it can result in the condition known as silt lock.
32. What is water dispersed in oil called?
An inverted emulsion
 There is a higher percentage oil than water.
33. What would be a reason for changing the oil type?
Rapid oil deterioration
 Others include a marked change in ambient or operating temperature, excessive wear and
risk of fire.
34. Where is lithium used?
In grease thickeners
 Lithium is not used as a solid lubricant.
35. What does VHVI stand for?
 Very high viscosity index
36. Which state of water does more harm to oil, its additive and oil- wetted machine surface?
 Emulsified water
37. What are the two most common reasons for using synthetic oil?
Extended life and wider operating range
 Compared to mineral oils, synthetics perform better in many other areas, such as reducing
friction and water separation.

Lubrication selection practice exam (MLA1)

1. Which molecular structures are generally considered to be an impurity and are either removed or
converted from crude oil during the refining process?
o Polyalphaolefins
o Aromatics
o Naphthenic
o Paraffinic
2. Which of the following mineral oil types has the highest pour point?
o Aromatic
o Benzoic
o Naphthenic
o Paraffinic
3. Which of the following base oil types would have the highest VI?
o Naphthenic
o Polyalphaolefin
o Paraffinic
o Aromatic
4. Which of the following would have the lowest specific gravity?
o Phosphate ester
o Water
o Mineral oil
o Ethylene glycol
5. What happens to an oil’s viscosity as the oil oxidizes?
o Doubles
o Decreases
o It is not affected.
o Increases
6. Of the following options, which motor oil is best suited for cold-start conditions?
o SAE 30
o SAE 15W-50
o SAE 40
o SAE 0W-30
7. Which of the following synthetic base oils is widely used as crankcase oil and is compatible with
mineral oil?
o Polyalphaolefin (PAO)
o Phosphate ester
o Ethylene glycol
o Polyalkylene glycol
8. Which lubricant property do phosphate esters, water-glycol fluids and oil-water emulsions have in
common?
o Compressibility
o Fire resistance
o Lubricity
o Flammability
9. Which of the following oils are most at risk for hydrolysis?
o Hydrocracked mineral oil
o Polyalphaolefin
o Ethylene glycol
o Dibasic ester
10. What percentage of additives might be found in a typical diesel-engine crankcase oil?
o 10 to 30%
o 0.5 to 10%
o 0.5 to 5%
o 10 to 50%
11. Which common lubricant includes an overbased detergent additive?
o Motor oils
o Hydraulic fluids
o Bearing/circulating oils
o Bright stocks
12. Molybdenum disulfide, graphite and borate are sometimes added as solid additives to certain gear
oils. What benefit, if any, do these additives provide?
o Chemical polishing of the gear surfaces
o Additional extreme-pressure protection
o No benefit
o Better leak detection
13. Which additive is commonly found in hydraulic fluids?
o Sulfur phosphorus
o Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
o Moly
o ZDDP
14. Which of the following additives is commonly found in turbine oil?
o Overbased detergent
o Friction modifier
o Anti-foam
o Dispersant
15. The viscosity designated by 80W-140 is associated with which types of oils?
o Driveline gear oils
o Hydraulic fluids
o Automatic transmission fluids
o Motor oils
16. When switching lubricant base oil types in a machine, which equipment components must be
considered to ensure compatibility?
o Swash plates
o Impellers
o Housings
o Mechanical seals
17. Which organization has developed the grease consistency grading scale, which assigns consistency
numbers from 000 to 6?
o API
o NGIL
o ILSAC
o NLGI
18. Which type of hydraulic component is sensitive to failure by silt lock?
o Motors
o Servo valves
o Actuators
o Pumps
19. Why do compressor oils need good oxidation resistance?
o They operate at higher temperatures.
o They have a higher viscosity.
o They have a lower viscosity requirement.
o They operate at higher pressures.
20. Which state of water does more harm to oil, its additives and oil-wetted machine surfaces?
o Free
o Foam
o Emulsified
o Dissolved
21. What is an automotive engine or gear oil that is designed to meet only one SAE viscosity limit
commonly called?
o Heavyweight
o Multigrade
o Mobil ready
o Single or monograde
22. What is the term used to describe an automotive engine or gear oil that is designed to meet more
than one SAE viscosity limit?
o Heavyweight
o Monograde
o Multigrade
o API-SN
23. Which of the following conditions would require an oil with a high viscosity index (VI)?
o High contamination environments
o High wear debris
o A wide range of operating temperatures
o Consistent temperature applications
24. What is VHVI an abbreviation for?
o Very high viscosity index
o Variable heat viscosity interval
o Very high vacuum index
o Valuable high viscosity item
25. What type of lubricant results from 40 percent water being added to an oil?
o Inverted emulsion
o Specific gravity lubricant
o Free water oil
o Dissolved water oil
26. Which oil condition is described as an intimate mixture of oil and water, generally of a milky or
cloudy appearance?
o Dissolution
o Demulsibility
o Emulsion
o Free water
27. What is the first step when selecting a lubricating oil for a specific application?
o Getting pricing
o Selecting a proper additive package
o Determining the proper viscosity
o Finding a supplier
28. What would be the normal viscosity range for an engine oil at operating temperature?
o 10 to 50 centistokes
o 220 to 460 centistokes
o 1 to 5 centistokes
o 100 to 150 centistokes
29. What would be the normal viscosity range for hydraulic oil at operating temperature?
o 200 to 1,000 centistokes
o 20 to 100 centistokes
o 2 to 10 centistokes
o 220 to 320 centistokes
30. What would be the normal viscosity range for roller-bearing oil at operating temperature?
o 1,000 centistokes
o 10 to 300 centistokes
o 320 to 460 centistokes
o 1 to 3 centistokes
31. Which of the following is a factor when choosing the viscosity for a rolling-element bearing?
o Criticality
o Cost
o Orientation
o Speed (RPM)
32. What are the two most common reasons for using synthetic oil?
o Cost and compatibility
o Extended life and a wider operating range
o Better flow and environmental safety
o Accessibility and oil analysis
33. What would be a reason for changing the oil type?
o Consistent run times
o Constant operating temperatures
o Increased particle count
o Rapid oil deterioration
34. When does it make sense to move to a cheaper oil?
o Price should always be considered, and all oils are nearly the same.
o Never. Use the oil that is needed regardless of price.
o When leaks are high and the oil performs the required function
o When the machine demands a premium lubricant but your budget has been reduced
35. What would be the best practice when purchasing lubricants?
o Buy the lowest price option
o Trust the lube supplier entirely to recommend which lubricants to use
o Allow purchasing to do all the work related to lubricants
o Purchase on quality and performance specification, not on price
36. Name two disadvantages of using synthetic lubricants.
o Cost and lower friction
o High viscosity index (VI) and compatibility with other lubricants
o Solubility and compatibility with seals
o Hazardous disposal and natural detergency
37. The viscosity of SAE 50 engine oil is similar to what SAE gear oil at the same temperature?
o SAE 140 gear oil
o SAE 85W gear oil
o SAE 90 gear oil
o SAE 80W gear oil
38. The viscosity of ISO 220 oil is similar to what SAE gear oil at the same temperature?
o SAE 140 gear oil
o SAE 80W gear oil
o SAE 85W gear oil
o SAE 90 gear oil
39. An oil’s carbon-forming tendency is important in which three applications?
o Turbine systems, circulating systems and machines with low surface temperatures
o Hydraulic systems, paper machine oils and machines equipped with filtration units
o Process pumps, industrial gearboxes and machines equipped with heat exchangers
o Reciprocating air compressors, paper machine oils and machines with high surface temperatures
40. What is the effect of water contamination on rolling-element bearing life?
o A stable emulsion is created, which increases the film thickness and leads to longer life.
o Water and oil will not mix, so the water falls out of suspension and will not be able to enter the
lubricant film.
o A loss of 75 percent of the expected service life due to water at less than 0.1 percent
o Water will have no effect on the life of a bearing.
Answers
1. Aromatics
2. Paraffinic
3. Polyalphaolefin
4. Mineral oil
5. Increases
6. SAE 0W-30
7. Polyalphaolefin (PAO)
8. Fire resistance
9. Dibasic ester
10. 10 to 30%
11. Motor oils
12. Additional extreme-pressure protection
13. ZDDP
14. Anti-foam
15. Driveline gear oils
16. Mechanical seals
17. NLGI
18. Servo valves
19. They operate at higher temperatures.
20. Emulsified
21. Single or monograde
22. Multigrade
23. A wide range of operating temperatures
24. Very high viscosity index
25. Inverted emulsion
26. Emulsion
27. Determining the proper viscosity
28. 10 to 50 centistokes
29. 20 to 100 centistokes
30. e 10 to 300 centistokes
31. Speed (RPM)
32. Extended life and a wider operating range
33. Rapid oil deterioration
34. When leaks are high and the oil performs the required function
35. Purchase on quality and performance specification, not on price
36. Solubility and compatibility with seals
37. SAE 90 gear oil
38. SAE 90 gear oil
39. Reciprocating air compressors, paper machine oils and machines with high surface temperatures
40. A loss of 75 percent of the expected service life due to water at less than 0.1 percent