Post on 16-Feb-2016
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Lubricant Storage, Stability,and Estimated Shelf Life
ost materials including lubricating oils and greases deteriorate withtime. Good storage practice is to ensure sufficient stock turnover so thatlubricants are used before any significant performance loss
has occurred, but to carry enough inventory to assure products areavailable when needed.
Storage Conditions Affecting allLubricantsThe storage environment greatlyaffects the shelf life of lubricants andgreases. Conditions, which should bemonitored, are:
Temperature : both high heat (
greater than 45°C ) and extreme cold (
less than -20°C ) can affect lubricant
stability. Heat increases the rate of oil
oxidation, which may lead to for-
mation of deposits and viscosity
increase. Cold can result in wax and
possible sediment formation. In
addition, alternating exposure to
heat and cold may result in air being
drawn into drums, which may result in
moisture contamination. A tem-
perature range of -20°C to 45°C is
acceptable for storage of most lubri-
cating oils and greases. Ideally the
storage temperature range should be
from 0°C to 25°C.
Light : light may change the color
and appearance of lubricants.
Lubricants should be kept in their
original metal or plastic containers.
Water : water may react with some
lubricant additives, sometimes
forming insoluble matter. Water can
also promote microbial growth at
the oil / water interface. Lubricants
should be stored in a dry location,
preferably inside.
Particulate Contamination : drums
and pails should not be stored in
areas where there is a high level of
airborne particles. This is especially
important when a partially used con-
tainer is stored.
Atmospheric Contamination : oxy-
gen and carbon dioxide can react
with lubricants and affect their
viscosity and consistency. Keeping
lubricant containers sealed until
the product is needed is the best
protection.
Additional Storage ConditionAffecting Greases
Grease properties can change during
storage depending on the type of
thickener, its concentration, the base
fluids, and the additives used. One
condition that commonly affects
greases is:
Oil Separation : oil will naturally
separate f rom most greases .
Temperatures in excess of 45°C can
accelerate oil separation. If grease is
removed from a drum or pail, the
surface of the remaining grease
should be smoothed to prevent oil
separation into the cavity.
Continued on reverse
M
Lubricant Storage, Stability, and Estimated Shelf Life (continued)
Recommended StorageConditions and Practices forLubricating Oils andGreases
1. Store lubricating oils and greases
in a cool dry indoor area where
airborne particles are at a mini-
mum. Indoor storage also pre-
vents deterioration of label and
container from weathering. The
ideal storage temperature range is
from 0°C to 25°C.
2. If drums must be stored outside, use
plastic covers or tip oil drums to
direct water and contamination
away from the bungs. Always store
greases upright to prevent oil
separation.
3. When necessary, bring grease to
satisfactory dispensing tempera-
ture just prior to use.
4. Rotate the inventory. Check the
container fill date and use the old-
est container first.
5. Keep containers tightly covered or
closed to avoid contamination.
6. Wipe off the tops and edges of
containers before opening to
avoid contamination.
7. Use clean tools and equipment
when pumping or handling lubri-
cants and greases.
Products Exceeding the
Estimated Shelf LifeA product in an unopened container,
which is beyond the estimated shelf
life, may still be suitable for service.
The product should be tested and
evaluated against the original prod-
uct specifications. Thoroughly mix
the container to ensure a uniform,
representative sample is taken for
testing. If the product's test results fall
within the original specifications, i t
should be sui table for use.
Following testing, if the product is
not consumed within a year, the
product should be marked for recla-
mation or disposal.
As a final note, the user shouldvalidate the product's performanceclaims against the equipment manu-facturer's current specifications.Equipment designs and specificationscan change over time making an oldproduct obsolete for new equipment.
ESTIMATED SHELF LIFE OF BASE OILS,LUBRICATING OILS, AND GREASES
Product
Base OilsLubricating Oils (mineral or synthetic)
Greases (mineral or synthetic)
Known Exceptions:Rust Preventives
Open Gear Lubricants
Years
5+
5
5
2
2
Checklist On Storage, Handling andDispensing Marine Lubricants
Good Practices can translate into big SAVINGS $$$
Many shipping companies pay for marine lubricants
many times over, first when purchasing the products and
again when paying for poor practices in storage, handling
and dispensing. The way a vessel and its dockside base
store, handle and dispense marine lubricants can mean
a significant amount of money saved or lost on engine
downtime, parts replacement and lubricant waste.
We are recommending the following storage, handling
and dispensing practices and checklist to help you avoid
the most common causes of lubricant-related engine
malfunction in marine vessels. These are :
Exposing lubricants to moisture, salt waterand other contaminants;
Improperly storing the lubricants above deck or in
other environments that may be too hot or too
cold;
Mixing incompatible brands or types of lubricants;
Leaking from damaged or poorly sealed containers,
resulting in lubricant contamination;
Even small improvements in marine lubricant storage,
handling and dispensing techniques can translate into big
SAVINGS over the course of a year.
Complete the following checklist and see if your
company's storage, handling and dispensing program is
all it should be. Remember, good practices can translate
into big SAVINGS!