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!