Ametek Petrolab Co.s Grabner Instruments division has added an automated vapor tester to its product portfolio. The tester, called the Minivap VPXpert-L analyzer, measures vapor pressure in lubricants, hydraulic fluids and similar oils – which often have low vapor pressure properties – as well as solvents, gasoline, jet fuel, chemicals and other products. Ametek says the new device can help customers comply with federal safety and environmental laws requiring that vapor pressure be tested on volatile liquids being transported or stored. It requires no specialized training to use and yields results within minutes, from just a 1 mL sample. The analyzer can test products down to 0.1 kPa vapor pressure and at temperatures ranging from 0 to 120 degrees C. Web: www.petrolab.com

Croda Rubs Out Friction

Croda Lubricants has added a new high-performance friction modifier for industrial gear oils to its additive lineup. Called Perfad 3100, the additive is an oxidative and thermally stable friction modifier specifically designed for gear oils. It forms a durable film and its friction-reducing effects continue at high temperatures and in heavily loaded contact areas. Croda said the additive can enable more efficient power transfer and reduce running costs, and is high in renewable content. Friction tests show that an ISO 68 industrial gear oil with 1 percent Perfad 3100 outperforms an ordinary ISO 68 oil, the company said. Web: www.croda lubricants.com

Green Oil for Open Gears

Mining managers looking for high-performance lubricants that are also environmentally friendly for draglines and shovels have a new option from Bel-Ray. The New Jersey company says its new biodegradable open-gear lubricant will meet that dual challenge while reducing unscheduled downtime and reducing maintenance. Based on proprietary renewable base fluids and polymers, the semi-fluid products antiwear and extreme-pressure additives are formulated to support the grueling work done by mining machinery. And because environmental issues are so critical, the product rapidly biodegrades at a rate of more than 60 percent in 28 days, with minimal environmental residue, the company said. Web: www.belray.com

Apply Lubes Precisely

Helping metalworking shops save money with exact application of lubricants is the aim of Industrial Innovations newest product, the Spra-Rite Alpha Lubricating System. The Michigan company says the system provides controlled application both to stamped and drawn materials and to the tooling process, and is well-suited for smaller pressrooms and in vanishing oil applications. Its control module offers numeric programming for up to six injector valves, with each injector independently controlled for precision of application. The controller also allows users to skip press cycles for pre-programmed stroke counts. Web: www.industrial innovations.com

Scoop on Motorcycle Oils

Four-stroke motorcycles and their smaller cousins, scooters and mopeds, are a fast-growing sales segment of the transportation industry, but are still treated as an after thought in the lubricants industry. Now Lubrizol, the Ohio-based additives giant, is acting to remedy that. It has launched a new website designed to be an information hub for oil marketers, blenders, equipment manufacturers and anyone interested in the challenging lubrication requirements of motorcycle engines. Eric Lindenfelser, who heads the companys small engine market division, said these small engines have different needs than passenger cars, so MCEO.com focuses on misconceptions and explains the differences between performance needs that help determine the right oil for the application. Web: www.mceo.com

Lubricants from Vegetables

PMC Biogenix Inc. has formulated an EBS-based lubricant that puts the new in renewable: Its made from vegetables. The product, Kemamide W-40 Veg, is a synthetic wax that will be aimed at the polymer compounding and extrusion markets, among other industrial applications, PMC said. It notes that the most important applications for these lubricants (which are based on ethylene bisstearamides) are to provide internal and external lubrication in the processing of thermoplastic resins. Web: www.pmcgroup.com

Childress Runs on Dow Grease

When high temperatures and harsh conditions started drying out the conventional mineral oil based grease used in their cars, and consequently damaging the seals, a Nascar team turned to Dow Chemical for a solution. The answer, says Richard Childress Racing, was Dows oil-soluble polyalkylene glycol based grease. Childress team designer Brandon Thomas said Dow Ucon OSP grease improved both performance and durability of his teams cars during the 2013 season. The Dow OSP is significantly better suited for our temperature ranges and operating environment than our previous options, he reports. It was just all in a days work for Dow Chem, said technical specialist Govind Khemchandani. We can often customize a solution that works well for each individual case, he said. Web: www.dow.com/ucon

Ideas Unveils Corrosion Inhibitor

Heading off corrosion in the under-bodies and cavities of cars can be a tough job. Ideas Inc. has introduced a new water-based inhibitor that it says can handle it. The Illinois-based company said the inhibitor, called Ida-Sol E-909-D, offers freeze-thaw stability and will pass rigorous humidity, salt spray and steel wool tests. Web: www.ideasadditives.com

Video Drums Up Support for Steel

The Industrial Steel Drum Institute has released a video that it says documents the superior safety and security offered by steel drums over other containers, when shipping or storing flammable or combustible liquids. The video focuses on a test commissioned by ISDI and carried out some years ago by Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas. In the test, steel drums with self-relieving closures were shown clearly to be a superior choice for packaging and storing flammable and combustible liquids. The study even brought about the modification of the National Fire Protection Associations rules, to allow higher vertical storage of the drums. See the video to find out why. Web: www.whysteeldrums.org

Kline Plumbs Marine Lube Outlook

Management consulting and research firm Kline & Co. is offering pre-launch subscriptions for its new study, Global Marine Lubricants: Market Analysis and Opportunities. The report, which focuses on Asia, North America and Europe, will offer insights on current demand for various marine lubricants; technologies in use or being considered in the industry and their effects on lubricant demand; strengths and weaknesses of leading lubricant suppliers in the segment; unmet needs of shipping companies, and industry trends and growth drivers. Web: www.klinegroup.com

Shipbuilders Rally to Lukoil

Two of the worlds leading marine engine manufacturers – Wartsila and MAN Diesel and Turbo – have given approvals to Lukoil Marines newly developed cylinder oil. Called Lukoil Navigo 100 MCL, the oil is formulated for newer marine engines that require a higher alkalinity to counter acids created during the combustion of heavy fuel oil. Lukoil says Navigo is the only oil produced to date that boasts such a high base number (100 mg KOH/g), and that MAN is recommending it specifically to buyers of its newer generation of engines. To shipbuilders, this means a lubricating [feed] rate that is reduced by up to 30 percent and hence considerable operating cost savings, pointed out Stefan Claussen with Lukoil in Hamburg. Web: www.lukoil.com

Synthetics Guide Now in Chinese

ExxonMobil Chemicals Synthetic Lubricant Base Stocks Formulations Guide was released for the first time this year in a Chinese translation. The guide was introduced at the China International Lubricant and Technology Exhibition, held in Guangzhous Poly World Trade Expo Center in September. It provides technical advice to help lube marketers develop innovative lubricants needed to meet increasingly challenging performance requirements in all manner of automotive and industrial machines. And now that information now is easily shared with blenders and customers in China, the worlds fastest-growing lubricants market. Web: www.exxonmobilchemical.com, or to download the Chinese language guide, www.exxonmobilchemical.com/Chem-Chinese/productsservices/ synthetic-basestocks-formulations-guide.aspx

Blending? Phone It In

A new line of Ross Syscon recipe controls allows operators to use smart phones and tablets to monitor and control all blending, mixing, drying and dispersion on Ross equipment. The company, a subsidiary of New York-based Charles Ross & Son, said apps allow the systems to automatically text or e-mail everything, from alarms to status reports. The new interactive apps are designed to save operators time while keeping them connected, wherever they are in the plant, Syscon said. Web: www.mixers.com

Rowe Rebrands Biolubes

Specialty lubricant company Rowe Mineraloelwerk GmbH is consolidating its line of biodegradable lubricants based on renewable base stocks. The Sunlub and NatSync product lines of its Natoil subsidiary are being relaunched and marketed under Rowes Hightec label, the Germany-based company said. Many users underestimate the performance profile of biolubricants or consider them uneconomical. Yet, Rowe Hightec biolubricants have long since successfully demonstrated their outstanding performance spectrum in day-to-day operation and clearly outperform conventional petroleum based products, said Rowe product manager Otto Botz. Web: www.rowe-mineraloel.com

Cut Without Chlorine

Blaser Swisslube Inc. boasts it has formulated a state-of-the-art metalworking fluid, Blasocut BC935SW. Like other Blasocut emulsions, this new fluid will provide excellent biochemical stability and a long sump life without the use of bactericides. It also earns high scores on environmental acceptability and safety. The company said that the chlorine-free BC935SW offers strong cutting performance and long tool life on cast iron, aluminum, steel and exotic alloys, and offers excellent washing action and low misting properties. Web: www.blaser.com