What is the shelf life of lubricants and greases?

 A product’s shelf life is described as “the amount of time a commodity may be stored until it becomes unfit for use, consumption, or sale.” It’s important to remember that manufacturers assess a product’s shelf life based on normal usage and storage expectations. When handled properly in their initial sealed containers, oils and greases have a five-year shelf life. If recommended recommendations are not followed, the estimated shelf life can be shortened.

The majority of products, including lubricating greases, degrade over time. The degree of oxidation of lubricating greases is highly dependent on storage conditions. A lubricating grease’s shelf life can be extremely long if stored properly.

Storage Tips :

• Lubricants may change their appearance and/or color when exposed to light, so keep them in a dark place.
• Water penetration in sealed, opaque containers may encourage microbial growth and affect certain additives, resulting in the formation of insoluble material.
• Never store in a dirty or dusty setting.
• Viscosity is affected by oxygen and carbon dioxide; keep containers sealed from the atmosphere. If you properly manage your inventory, you can get the most out of your lubricant investment.

Factors that affect the shelf life of Lubricants and Greases :      

1. Oxidation : The most significant limiting factor in a lubricant’s useful life is oxidation. Oil could potentially gel resulting in extreme wear and seizure. Varnish and sludge are polymerized products that raise oil viscosity, lower viscosity index, minimize heat transfer, obstruct oil channels, and encourage foaming 
2. Foaming: It is the formation of frothy bubbles in a fluid due to an abundance of air. Foam is ineffective as a lubricant. Reservoirs, gearboxes, crankcases, sumps, and other components with vapor spaces may collect air or oil foam in the headspace.
3. Air Release: Allowing air to escape from oil bubbles. This should occur quickly. Oil viscosity and temperature have a significant impact. Oil foaming may be caused by a lack of air release.
4. Demulsibility: It is the power to shed or expel water. If water does not separate quickly from the oil, this is undesirable, especially in turbine and gear oils.
5. Contamination: Water, fluid-soluble materials, fluid-insoluble materials, erroneous fluid additives, and fluid degradation are the most popular pollutants of lubricants and greases. To begin with, the most common cause of oil failure or rejection is pollution. Aeration, foaming, air release, and demulsibility are all affected.

Texol Lubritech FZC is the overseas joint venture of Gandhar Oil Refinery India Ltd (GORIL), a 25-year-old group specialized in industrial lubricants in Dubai. They provide a variety of high-performance Industrial and Automotive Lubricants and Greases, Transformer Oils, Industrial Specialty Oils, Rubber Process Oils, White Oils, and other products to meet the needs of a variety of industries. If you’re looking for an automotive lubricants Dubai, contact them.