I found an interesting article on the Trends in Lubrication, by Jim Fitch, in the online publication of Machinery Lubrication.

After mentioning the ‘punishing competition’ and ‘unforgiving economic conditions’, Jim goes on to list the trends in lubrication which he found to have staying power;

• they are value-based (reduce costs and/or increase productivity);
• they are new problem-solvers (overcome previously unresolved problems);
• they are better problem-solvers (provide measurable improvements over prior methods)

He also lists a few important things to remember when selecting a lubricant:

Correct viscosity: More precise selection of viscosity is getting renewed attention. Viscosity affects a number of important factors, including energy consumption, wear and tolerance to contamination. This relates to not only the ISO viscosity grade, but also to the viscosity index. Getting in the general ballpark on viscosity seems to be no longer acceptable, and for good reason. **Commonwealth Oil offers an array of viscosities in all lubrication products, be sure to choose the right viscosity for your needs.

Not selecting lubricants solely on film strength: Today’s lubricants need a range of performance qualities, so choosing a lubricant that delivers the complete package is the greater priority. This includes (depending on lubricant type) such features as dispersancy, foam suppression, moisture-handling ability, corrosion protection, oxidative stability, viscosity index and, of course, good lubricity. **Not only are Commonwealth Oil lubricants one of the best at dispersing waste, they are one of the lowest foaming lubricants on the market, with unmatched rust and corrosion inhibitors.

Judicious use of premium and synthetic lubricants: The rage to switch to premium and synthetic lubricants as a silver bullet for every problem is winding down. We are now more aware of the true strength of these lubricants and their appropriate application. They can indeed solve a plethora of problems, but not all problems. Precision lubrication means correctly matching these lubricants to the applications to which they are best applied. **Our knowledgeable sales team, distributors, and Research and Development lab will help you choose the right products for your needs, and are always available.

Energy-conserving and environmentally friendly lubricants: In the past 10 years, huge strides have been made in this area, but even then, it seems we’ve barely scratched the surface. Brace yourself as the pace of change in this area greatly picks up steam. **(Check out Commonwealth Oil’s line of BioComm products, they are biodegradable and environmentally safe!)

Dumping economy formulations: Buying lubricants from the lowest bidder is rarely a recipe for achieving machine reliability at the lowest possible cost. It’s time to stop pretending to save money by buying cheap, commodity-grade lubricants to save a quick buck at the expense of tomorrow’s need for reliability. Through greater awareness and education, large user organizations are finally getting the message. **Commonwealth Oil offers competitive pricing, and our Customer Service Team can find you the best freight rate available to help you save money where you can.

Commonwealth Oil also offers Exact Specialty Products, which are Food Grade Registered (NSF and CFIA), including a large range of lubricants. If your job requires accidental food protection, don’t take the chance, discover the Exact Advantage (www.exactspecialty.com).