Comparing roller chain oils

[hyperboneious]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone knows an effective method of comparing the effectiveness of roller chain oil lubricants. A vendor told me that I should use a data logger to collect the amp readings of the chain drive motor for about a month using Oil "A" and then collect the data for one month using oil "B" and compare amperage readings. Would this be a effective way of comparing oils?

Thanks,
Jorge

 

[dvd]

I would think that the effectiveness of logging motor amps would depend on whether the roller chain drive losses were significant compared to the driven shaft torque. If the driven shaft torque is large compared to the roller chain drive torque loss then there would be minimal noticable change between the two lubricants.

Is the roller chain operating at a high-speed, low-torque or a low-speed, high-torque? I don't think you will notice as much difference due to the effects of lubricating oil for a low-speed, high-torque regime compared to a high-speed, low-torque regime.

If your drive and plc are currently capable of logging this info it might not take that much effort. If you have to buy equipment and a data logger, then I would analyze the situation before spending money.

 

[diskullman]

Since you want to determine the effectiveness of chain oil over time, I would measure the length of stretch of identical chain over time on identical applications.

Russell Giuliano

 

[ivymike]

hmm...

effectiveness at what? Reducing friction? Preventing wear? Looks like you have a couple of useful suggestions above, depending on what you're hoping to accomplish. In addition to chain stretch, you could look at the rate at which wear materials accumulate in the oil vs time, or you could take and compare profilometer traces before and after say 100hrs, 250hrs, and 500hrs running (at a particular link).