... not lubricated, the mating teeth set up shock waves, this shock results in the fracture of the gear teeth, application of a lubricant acts as a 'shock absorber'. If properly lubricated, it runs more smoothly and noise free. CORROSION PROTECTION A second role provided by a lubricant is the prevention of system Corrosion. In engineering environments where contamination of the system with water is likely, protection of machinery components from corrosion is of the utmost importance. Salt water is considerably more corrosive than fresh water; Thus engineering machinery must be well protected from this contaminant. Water molecules may also diffuse through the lubricant and enter surface microcracks, causing hydrogen embitterment and subsequent surface failure. It is thus imperative that water contamination of machinery systems be minimized. To achieve corrosion protection, lubricants must form a protective barrier on machinery surfaces. Modern-day lubricants often contain corrosion inhibitors which chemically bond to the metallic surfaces of ...

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