Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/957021
Pol i s he d m a c h i ne surfaces can improve equ ipment per for- mance by reducing friction and increasing efficiency. There are many ways to polish machine surfaces, with the results depending on the desired outcome. When it comes to lubricants, addi- tives can be used to help chemically polish these surfaces during the running-in process. However, problems can arise if you do not understand the proper way to polish surfaces or how lubricant selection factors into the equation. What Is Polishing Wear? ASM International def ines polishing wear as the interactions between two solids that remove mate- rial from and produce a polished finish on one or both of them. If you think of a polished surface, you might imagine something that reflects light or appears very bright. When I was a child, I remember seeing cans of silver polish used on serving trays and utensils to restore their original luster. These polishing compounds usually fall into two categories: chemical compounds and abrasive compounds. Each has a purpose and reason for use. Abrasive Polishing Abrasive compounds are often pastes with a solid particle blended into them. After the compound is applied to a surface, it is rubbed with a cloth or against another solid surface. During this action, the abrasives cut and score the surfaces, resulting in a polished face. is is a common practice with engine valves, as polishing can improve performance and prevent carbon buildup. Another term for this type of polishing is mechanical polishing, since it requires mechanical force to move the parts together. Sometimes these abrasive compounds are called grinding or lapping compounds. This form of abrasive wear occurs inside machines when small particles are suspended in the lubri- cant and become trapped between moving components. ese particles in the oil can act like a polishing compound and begin polishing the parts in which they come into contact. You can see this kind of polishing wear in most systems, although it is particularly prevalent in gears and hydraulics. The Pros and Cons of Polishing Wear 50 | March - April 2018 | www . machinerylubrication.com G ear Lubric ation Wes Cash | Noria Corporation BACK PAGE BASICS 46% of lubrication professionals say abrasive wear is the most common wear mode in machinery at their plant, according to a recent survey at MachineryLubrication.com