Join us for a special episode of Lubrication Experts featuring Jacob Bonta, the Lead Formulation Scientist for Industrial Fluids and Greases at Valvoline Global Operations. In this in-depth discussion, Jacob takes us through the intricate process of developing greases from concept to market. Learn about the key factors in grease formulation, the importance of application-specific design, the testing and trial phases, and the unique challenges and opportunities in making and scaling up...

Welcome to Lubrication Experts! In this episode, we dive into the new HPM grease specification and its significance in the lubrication industry. Our guest, Gary Dudley, a veteran with over 27 years at ExxonMobil and now an independent consultant, shares insights about the evolution of grease specifications, the detailed criteria of HPM (High Performance Multi-use) grease, and the wide range of applications it covers. Learn about the development process of the specification, the auditing and...

Understanding Pump Mechanics and Solutions for Lubrication This episode of 'Lubrication Explained' features Danilo Samosyuk from Graco as a guest, discussing the mechanics behind pumps used for lubrication in various industries, focusing on pneumatic pumps and their operation. Different pump ratios and their applications for different fluids, temperatures, and pressures are explored. The importance of selecting the right pump for specific lubrication tasks, including the significance of line...

Navigating Changes in the Trucking and Lubrication Industry with Paul Cigala from ExxonMobil In this special episode of Lubrication Experts, the host interviews Paul Segala, a veteran in the transportation and lubrication sector, who shares his extensive insights on how the trucking industry has evolved, especially in response to technology advancements and supply chain disruptions influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss challenges such as technician and driver shortages, the...

https://lubrication.expert The Evolution of Lithium Greases: Innovations and Historical Insights with Andy Waynick In this episode of 'Lubrication Experts', Rafe Britton welcomes Andy Waynick, a renowned figure in the lubrication field, for a record third appearance. Andy provides an in-depth exploration into the world of lithium-based greases, their manufacturing processes, new developments, and the intricacies of their chemical properties. Building on prior discussions about the popularity...

Understanding Group 5 Base Oils: A Conversation on the Lubrication Experts Podcast This episode of the 'Lubrication Experts Podcast' series features an in-depth conversation around the Group 5 Base Oils and their role in the lubrication industry. With discussions ranging from the existing catch-all term of Group 5, to its future and possible innovations, the podcast brings out valuable insights about the particular spectrum of base oils. The talk also includes conversations about the...

Understanding the Viscosity Index: History, Challenges and Proposals This podcast discussion, in which lubrication experts discuss the important role of the Viscosity Index in the oil industry, features prominent industry figure Jack Zakarian. He explains the history of the Viscosity Index, its implications, and how the present scale hampers low viscosity oils. He also proposes potential improvements to the current scale that could make it better suited to the modern industry needs....

Understanding Esters | A Deep Dive into their Applications in Lubrication In this informative discussion, we explore the basics and complexities of esters and their role in the realm of lubrication. Our expert, Siegfried Lucazeau, dives into the chemistry of esters, their advantages, drawbacks, and applications across numerous industries. From synthetic and natural esters to their pivotal role in sustainability and biodegradability, Siegfried provides valuable insights into the world of...

Understanding Field Oil Analysis with Lisa Williams from Ametek In this informative episode, Lisa Williams from Ametek, an expert in the oil analysis field, shares her knowledge about oil analysis testing. She provides insights on when to set up an oil analysis lab, how to interpret results, and the decision making between field tests and third-party lab analysis. Lisa also underscores the importance of proper training and interpretation in enhancing reliability. Additionally, she briefly...

Demystifying Re-Refined Base Oils: Quality, Sustainability, and Future Trends In this episode, we delve into the world of re refined base oils, thanks to our special guest from Safety Clean, Joel Garrett. We discuss the re refining process, from collecting waste oil to producing high-quality base oils equivalent to Group II+. We debunk the common myth of re refined oils being lesser quality than virgin based oils and highlight why these misconceptions exist. Furthermore, we talk about the...

In this special Christmas episode, join me as I reflect on the past two and a half years and discuss the latest trends in the lubrication industry. We'll delve into the insular nature of working for major companies, the importance of collaboration and sharing knowledge, and the challenges of ruthless competition. We'll also explore the complexity of the industry, from certification overload to overwhelming product lines. And, on an optimistic note, we'll discuss exciting technologies on the...

Understanding the Base Stock Market - An In-depth Look with Jack Zakarian In this podcast episode, we hear from industry expert Jack Zakarian who spent over 37 years with Chevron. The episode covers the foundation of base stocks focusing on terms like neutral, solvent neutral, bright stock, and their correlation to API based stock groups. Jack also discusses the evolution of the base oil industry explaining the shift from group 1 towards group 2 & 3 processes, the advantages of these...

Polymers - they're everywhere in lubricants. But the the understanding of their variants, and their functions is not that well understood. Dr Jacob Scherger of Functional Products sits down with Rafe Britton to untangle them!

Oil analysis - your business is most likely doing it, collecting the data, and then never looking at the data ever again. How do I know this? Because I have seen countless examples. In this podcast, Elaine Hepley from Polaris Laboratories takes a look at oil analysis data, how it is analysed, and how we set limits.

Lithium greases still dominate the market. But how did it get to be that way? In this wide-ranging interview with Lubrication Expert Andy Waynick, we discuss simple versus complex greases, why Lithium won over all the other soaps, grease compatibility and much, much more. https://lubrication.expert

Synthetic base oils are everywhere. But you might be surprised to learn how many there are, and when they're used. In this episode we talk about the fundamentals of synthetic lubricants with returning guest John Sander.

Sometimes you will have seen her on social media as Wendy, the Oil Lady. She is the president of a group called the Crew Collaborative which does a lot of work promoting the trades in the construction industry.  And the reason why she's able to give some really good insight specifically into our industry is that not only is she the crew collaborative president, Wendy is also a field-based account manager for CNHI Midwest for Shell Lubricants. In both of those roles, Wendy is able to give us...

Open Gear Lubricants are a unique class of very high-viscosity oils often used in the mining, steel, and cement industries. Essential for driving large mills and big slew gears, open gear lubricants maintain the health of some of the most expensive assets on the planet.

Welcome back to Lubrication Experts! Today, we delve into the fascinating world of lubricant chemistry with none other than Dr. Matthew Hobbs from EPT Clean Oil. Despite the moody lighting due to a minor technical glitch with my video setup, this discussion promises to be as enlightening as ever. Dr. Hobbs, the Manager of Technical Services, Research, and Development at EPT Clean Oil, brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Known for his captivating presentations at various forums, such as...

We all know that the price of Lithium increased drastically in recent years. Competition originally began with the rise in consumer electronics, but increased exponentially with the demand generated by the EV transition. This poses an issue for greases, where lithium soaps dominate the market by volume thanks to their "jack of all trades" performance. https://lubrication.expert

Lubrication is a vital component in the maintenance and longevity of mechanical assets, yet it is often overlooked or misunderstood. With an estimated 70% of mechanical failures directly or indirectly related to lubrication practice, the International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML) has developed a set of standards aimed at promoting best practices in lubrication and asset management. Despite being an engineered component, lubricants are frequently not treated as assets. Many people...

Lubricants are tightly interlinked with our sustainability goals. And when I say sustainability I mean both environmental and business. We've talked at length on this podcast about the way that lubricants affect energy efficiency and machine reliability, but how about the sustainability of the actual lubricant itself? Greg Livingstone is back to help us understand the impact of the full lifecycle of the lubricants we use in industry.

Racing oils - they're everyone's favourite thing to discuss because they represent the pinnacle of engine oil performance. But what exactly makes them different from the everyday oils that you and I use in our daily drivers? In this interview on Lubrication Experts, Rafe Britton speaks with Lake Speed Jr., an expert in racing oils. Lake shares his experience working for Joe Gibbs Racing, where he was responsible for the oil program. He recounts the challenges they faced in finding...

Calcium sulphonates are everywhere - first used as a common TBN additive in engine oils, they're increasingly used as a high-performance grease thickener. But the history behind this is surprising. Industry heavyweight Andy Waynick sat down with Rafe Britton to discuss the development of Calcium Sulphonate greases, their place in the current industrial environment, and their promising future.