August 30, 2019
Contamination control is one of the most critical elements of any effective lubrication program. To understand its value, we must first understand why machines fail. Most equipment failures are linked to wear and tear, and a large percentage of that wear is related to lubrication issues.
In fact, over 80% of mechanical wear is caused by particle and moisture contamination. These contaminants often work together to accelerate both mechanical and corrosive wear, ultimately leading to premature equipment failure and increased maintenance costs.
To effectively control oil contamination, you need to control the rate of wear in your machines. When wear is managed, equipment life can be significantly extended. A proactive contamination control strategy involves three essential steps:
Each machine should have at least one target particle count and moisture limit, depending on the type of equipment (pumps, hydraulics, gearboxes, etc.). Contaminants can either be excluded or removed, but exclusion is often the most cost-effective approach. Many systems are designed to allow maintenance teams to keep contaminants out right from the start.
Contamination typically comes from two key sources:
It’s a common misconception that new oil is always clean. In reality, new oil often contains dirt, particles, and moisture from transportation, storage, and packaging. Using proper oil filtration systems is essential to remove these impurities before use.
Ambient air, dust, moisture, and other airborne particles can easily enter a lubricant system. Simple solutions like high-efficiency breathers can improve air quality and prevent contaminants from entering the sump.
For hydraulic and circulating systems, it may also be necessary to actively remove contaminants. The performance of your filter—including its beta rating, upgradability, and efficiency—is a key factor here.
In addition to in-line filtration, many facilities use offline filtration systems, both permanent and portable, to maintain optimal oil cleanliness.
Hydraulic filter carts are among the most versatile and effective tools for contamination control. They can be used to:
A well-selected filter cart enhances your lubrication program’s efficiency, helping to maintain oil cleanliness and extend the service life of critical equipment.
A contamination control strategy is incomplete without oil analysis. Regular analysis:
Good sampling practices, verification, and consistent data collection are essential to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Harvard Filtration provides a wide range of high-quality oil filtration systems that help industries implement strong contamination control strategies. Our solutions are designed to help North American facilities extend equipment life, reduce downtime, and achieve lubrication excellence.
Browse our oil filtration solutions or contact us to discuss your contamination control needs.
1. What is lubrication contamination, and why is it harmful?
Lubrication contamination occurs when foreign particles, water, or other impurities enter the lubricant. These contaminants accelerate wear, corrosion, and degradation of machinery, leading to reduced efficiency, higher maintenance costs, and possible equipment failure.
2. What are the most common sources of lubricant contamination?
3. How can contamination in lubricants be controlled?
4. How does oil analysis help in contamination control?
Oil analysis identifies contaminants, wear particles, and changes in lubricant properties. This enables early detection of problems, better planning of maintenance actions, and ensures the lubricant remains clean and effective.
Lubrication contamination control is essential for ensuring the long-term reliability of equipment. By setting clear cleanliness targets, controlling sources of contamination, and using the right filtration tools—such as hydraulic filter carts—you can dramatically reduce machine wear, lower costs, and maximize operational efficiency.
