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Notes from the Lab

Procedure for Changing from Mineral Oil to Biodegradable Fluids

Procedure for changing from mineral oil to biodegradable fluids: As more and more governments are pushing for “green” alternatives, customers may be required to use biodegradable lubricants in their equipment. This is becoming more common in reclamation projects, environmentally sensitive areas, and in some new construction. Important is a correct procedure for changing from mineral oil to biodegradable fluids. Varnish, sludge, and deposits tend to build up in hot zones and “dead zones” in gear boxes, hydraulic, and hydrostatic equipment. Most mineral oil based [...]

2 December 2016
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ISO Cleanliness Code

What is the ISO Cleanliness Code of your Oil? As we visit new and existing customers we hear sometimes the question: What is your ISO Cleanliness Code? or What are your ISO numbers? on a certain oil. What they are referring to is the ISO 4406:1999 standard for oil cleanliness. In 1999 the International Standards Organization developed a system to rate and quantify the number of particles in the greater than or equal to 4 microns, 6 microns and 14-micron range. Please note [...]

1 December 2016
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Biodegradable Lubricants

Defining Biodegradable Lubricants Biodegradable lubricants have been around for thousands of years. Ancient man used olive oil, palm oil, or other plant based oils to lubricate axles, slides, and other moving objects. These oils were not oxidative resistant and required frequent replacement. Whale oil was used for many applications up until the mid-twentieth century due to its excellent lubricity and improved oxidation resistance.   Biodegradable lubricants have been around for thousands of years. Ancient man used olive oil, palm oil, or other [...]

28 November 2016
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The Effects of Over-Greasing a Bearing

What are the Effects of Over-Greasing a Bearing? Over 35% of all bearing failures are due to improper lubrication. These include: over-greasing; under-greasing; wrong grease for the application; Or a combination. Many people have been instructed to attach a grease gun to a bearing and keep pumping the lever until grease comes out somewhere. This is acceptable for hinge pins and other applications where old grease and contaminates need to be removed and not cause damage. A typical manual grease gun can generate 15,000 psi of [...]

28 November 2016
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Guidelines for Grease Operating Temperatures

We would like to share some Guidelines for Grease Operating Temperatures. This is about as well High as Low Temperatures! In 1933 a group of Grease Manufacturers met to address common grease industry issues and to standardize lubricating grease properties. The National Lubricating Grease Institute was born and has served the lubricating grease industry for over 80 years. The Annual Meetings address various issues, regulations, and provide training in the manufacture and application of lubricating grease. There have been several presentations [...]

14 September 2016
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EXCITING NEW CHEMISTRY

EXCITING NEW CHEMISTRY  MAKING SWEPCO LUBRICANTS BETTER THAN EVER !  Research and Development is a core activity at SWEPCO Home Office.  Our laboratory is at work every single day in search of opportunities to improve our product line.  As a result this brings interesting new Chemistry! We are committed to providing the resources that are needed to keep us … not just competitive … but in a position of leadership, in a rapidly changing lubrication market.  This commitment is absolutely essential [...]

5 February 2016
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SWEPCO ISO 21469 Certified

SWEPCO ISO 21469 Certified February 3, 2016 Notes from the Lab: ISO 21469 Good Manufacturing Practices For Food Grade Lubricants. For several decades, Food Grade Lubricants only required certification of the finish lubricant. This entailed a manufacturer sending a formulation, label, and sample to a certification organization for approval to sell the lubricant in food manufacturing and handling facilities. Materials used in making Food Grade lubricants are limited and must pass a variety of health, safety, and toxicological tests. There are the [...]

4 February 2016
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