What are the Foaming Characteristics of Lubricating Oils? The test methods used to analyse foaming characteristics in the lab

What are the Foaming Characteristics of Lubricating Oils?

Foaming is an accumulation of small bubbles on the surface of the lubricating oil.

How is it caused? 

There are many reasons for the formation of foam, however, the main reasons are:

• Water contamination – mixing of water with oil which results in a frothy layer within and on the surface of the oil
• Solid contamination – mixing of dirt, dust, admixture, a minute or large particles, which with continuous rotation and churning of the machinery result in foaming
• High aeration of the oil resulting in many minute and small bubbles resulting in foaming
• Contamination of the oil with another oil or grease
• Either too much or too less defoamant additive, mainly due to incorrect mixing of additive and wrong formulation

What problems will this cause to the machinery? 

Foaming of the oil can lead to serious mechanical and operational problems. Foam can lower the oil’s performance and life and the machinery’s life. It causes an increase in oxidation, loss in lubrication, cavitation of machinery parts, sponge, froth and sludge formation will cause a loss in pump pressure of the oil which will directly affect the performance of the oil-related to the performance of the machinery. The system will show a huge oil loss as part of the oil forms into foam which comes out of the system through the ventilation system.

ATLAS LAB tests Foaming Characteristics in their laboratory by using the following test methods: 

 Equipment used by ATLAS LAB for conducting Foaming Characteristics Test: