Clean Oil

Understanding Oil Contamination

Oil contamination is the presence of unwanted substances in lubricating oil, which can severely impact the performance and longevity of machinery. The three main types of contaminants are:

Particles: Dust, dirt, wear debris, and other solid particles can enter the oil system and cause abrasive wear on machine components. Even particles as small as 1 micron (the size of tobacco smoke) can be harmful over time. For comparison, a human hair is about 70 microns in diameter.
Water: Water can enter the oil system through condensation, leaks, or improper storage. It can cause corrosion, reduced lubricity, and accelerated oil degradation.
Oil Degradation Products: As oil ages and is exposed to heat and contaminants, it can break down and form sludge, varnish, and other harmful byproducts that can clog filters and small oil passages.

The Effects of Oil Contamination on Machinery

Contaminated oil can have severe consequences for the health and performance of your machines:

Increased Wear: Solid particles in the oil can cause abrasive wear on machine components, leading to increased friction, heat, and damage. Over time, this can result in premature component failure and reduced machine life.
Reduced Efficiency: As contaminants build up in the oil, they can clog filters, small oil passages, and interfere with proper lubrication. This can lead to increased energy consumption, reduced machine performance, and higher operating costs.
Frequent Breakdowns: Contaminated oil can cause accelerated wear and damage to machine components, leading to more frequent breakdowns and unplanned downtime. This can result in lost production and increased maintenance costs.

The Benefits of Maintaining Clean Oil

Implementing a proactive oil maintenance program to keep your oil clean can provide significant benefits for your machinery and your bottom line:

Extended Machine Life: By reducing wear and damage caused by contaminants, clean oil can help extend the life of your machine components and reduce the need for premature replacements.
Improved Efficiency: Clean oil ensures proper lubrication and reduces friction, allowing your machines to operate at peak efficiency. This can lead to reduced energy consumption and lower operating costs.
Reduced Downtime: With clean oil, your machines will experience fewer breakdowns and require less frequent maintenance, resulting in increased uptime and productivity.
Cost Savings: By extending machine life, improving efficiency, and reducing downtime, maintaining clean oil can provide significant cost savings over the life of your equipment.

What Causes Oil Contamination?

80% of all oil related failures and breakdowns are caused by contaminated oil - Avoid oil related problems and keep your oil clean

Oil contamination is due to insoluble materials such as metals, dust particles, sand, and rubber. The smallest of these particles are often what causes defects. Clean oil can prevent downtime and reduce maintenance costs significantly.

Understanding ISO Cleanliness Codes

ISO cleanliness codes are used to quantify the level of particulate contamination in a lubricating oil sample. The code consists of three numbers (e.g., 19/17/14) that represent the count of particles per milliliter greater than 4, 6, and 14 microns, respectively.

Particles >4μm: 19
Particles >6μm: 17
Particles >14μm: 14

ISO Code: 19/17/14

Particle Count Range:

>4μm:
>6μm:
>14μm:

ISO 4 (≥ 4 µm):

Good: 14 or lower Caution: 15-18 Critical: 19 or higher

ISO 6 (≥ 6 µm):

Good: 12 or lower Caution: 13-15 Critical: 16 or higher

ISO 14 (≥ 14 µm):

Good: 8 or lower Caution: 9-11 Critical: 12 or higher

Lower ISO codes indicate cleaner oil, while higher codes indicate higher levels of contamination. Maintaining oil cleanliness within the appropriate ISO code range for your specific machinery can help extend component life and improve overall performance.

ISO4406:1999 Codes	NAS1638 Codes	Filtration Degree	Typical Applications
14/12/9	3	4 μm(c)	High precision and laboratory servo-systems
17/15/11	6	6 μm(c)	Robotic and servo-systems
18/16/13	7	10-12 μm(c)	Very sensitive high reliability systems
20/18/14	9	12-15 μm(c)	Sensitive reliable systems
21/19/16	10	15-25 μm(c)	General equipment of limited reliability
23/21/18	12	25-40 μm(c)	Low pressure equipment not in continuous service

Downtime Cost Calculator

Downtime (hours):

Select Machine:

Oil Replacement Cost per Litre ($):

Oil Disposal Cost per Litre ($):

Production Loss per Hour ($):

$ Industry average is $3,000 per hour

Cost Breakdown

Cost Breakdown	Amount
Oil Replacement Cost	$0.00
Oil Disposal Cost	$0.00
Production Loss	$0.00
Total Downtime Cost	$0.00

The Importance of Clean Oil in Machinery