Hi,

Can anybody let me know how to measure EP parameter in Gearoils. Is there a commercial laboratory in India who can do this.

regards,
Srini

Hi Srini,

The EP additive may be expressed as Sulphur (S) and Phosporus (P) content, you can test the concentration by ICP test.

but the important thing is the performance of EP. You can test:
- 4 ball wear test
- 4 ball weld test
- or may Timken test.

Regards,

Nurudin

I would recommend a performance test like FZG gear Test. A good EP type gear oils should be 12th stage pass.

Hussam

Here is "A Study of Automotive Gear Lubes" comparing 14 automotive gear oils using many of the above mentioned tests and several additional tests. http://www.amsoil.com/lit/g2457.pdf?zo=1181889 .

Tim,

I initially, read the post to be an Industrial Gear application, hence suggested FZG 12th plus stage pass. While Nurudin suggested 4 Ball wear & 4 ball Weld and Timken tests.

Your weblink refers to Automotive Gear Oils, I am wondering, if I am confused.

The additive chemistry/package, as well as metallurgy of the Gear profiles in Industrial vis-a-vis Automotive gear applications, are probably different.

On the other hand, do you think Automotive Gear Oils should be used in Industrial Gear applications or vis-versa.

Hussam Adeni

Hussam,

The OP was not clear as to his application.

The gear oil paper above includes more information on standard 4 ball wear, 4 ball weld and Timken tests which were discussed earlier.

AMSOIL also offers many industrial gear oils http://www.amsoil.com/lit/g1325.pdf?zo=1181889 .

Here are some test results on some Industrial EP Gear Oils including the FZG you mentioned. http://www.1syn.com/industrial/sgseriestest.html

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tim Vipond,

Tim,

FZG is a crucial test for Industrial EP Gear Oils. Most synthetics give similar performance and your data confirms it. Pass at 12 and fail at 13th stage.

Min oils based lubes, interest me, as they are easily recyclable.

Hussam

Even motorcycle oils use FZG to look at transmission gear wear. You might find this interesting http://www.amsoil.com/lit/g2156.pdf?zo=1181889 . Some pass with no wear at 13 stages, some fail in 10.

Many of my customers prefer synthetic oils as they outperform and outlast mineral oils, so they dispose/recycle less. And some recycle companies will pay more for synthetic oils.

good post

As the mates was saying:

Use FZGs, 4-ball and Timkem indicators to know EP parameters.

If you like to know the chemical element, should be more difficult to find, some of the analysis don´t mesure this.

Note: It´s important on EP additives to observe if the metal would not be attacked by EP, cause in some yellow metals this could occur.