Chill Out Your Low-Temp Testing

Tannas Co. is introducing a new benchtop lab instrument that does not require a liquid bath when running a Scanning Brookfield Technique test for determining low-temperature viscosities and the gelation index of engine oils, lubricants and fuels. Called the SBT Direct Cool, the device employs direct refrigeration technology for sample cooling, thereby eliminating the use of flammable and hydroscopic bath fluids. Recently incorporated into the existing ASTM D5133 test method, the SBT Direct Cool also allows self-contained preheating of test samples to 90 degrees C while remaining in test position. Web: www.tannasco.com

Big Deal Blowing In the Wind

The worlds leading manufacturer of wind turbines has selected Castrol to supply synthetic gear oil for all of its new and existing turbines worldwide. The three-year contract between Castrol and Denmark-based Vestas Wind Systems represents about 1.5 million liters of Castrols Optigear Synthetic CT gear oil per year, for both the initial lubrication of new units and service fills for existing turbines. The agreement follows a successful three-year trial and full approval of Optigear for global use. Vestas has nearly 50,000 wind turbines, with a generating capacity of 57 gigawatts, installed worldwide. Web: www. castrol.com/industrial

Formulate with OSP, Win $15K

Dow Chemical is joining forces with crowdsourcing leader InnoCentive in a contest to find new uses for some new chemistry. The two are offering a grand prize of $15,000 and an offer of future collaboration to members of the science and technology community who can come up with ways to put oil- soluble polyalkylene glycols to new uses. While PAGs have been around for decades, earlier generations of the fluids were incompatible with hydrocarbon and mineral oils until recently. Newer versions solve that issue, and now Dow is aiming to promote their application beyond use in industrial and automotive lubricants. Contestants have until Jan. 27 to send in their ideas, and can find complete details at to www. oilsolchallenge.com.

Calumet Offers Food-grade Lubes

Calumet Packaging, a division of Calumet Specialty Products Partners, has introduced a new line of high-performance H1 lubricants for the food and beverage industry. In addition to being compliant with all food, health and safety regulations, Calumet points out, its Ultra F line of food-grade lubricants are Kosher certified and compliant with current good manufacturing practices (GMP) regulations. Ultra F products are said to offer excellent lubricity at a low cost, with low volatility, improved oxidation stability, superior water separation properties and advanced foaming control. Web: www.calumetfgl.com

Silicone Spray Gets a Makeover

Amsoil has given its silicone spray a new look, both inside and outside of its aerosol can. Reformulated and repackaged, the silicone spray provides protection where light-duty or silicone lubricants are recommended, including on rubber, plastic, nylon, upholstery, vinyl, wood, cardboard and other nonmetal surfaces. Amsoil says the non-staining formula is also excellent for waterproofing and protecting leather boots, shoes, jackets, suede and more. It leaves a clear, odorless film and locks out water while keeping applications contaminant free. Web: www.amsoil.com

Look Deep into Your Hydraulic Fluid

Stauff has introduced in improved version of its permanently installed particle monitor. The LPM II, as its called, uses newly developed high-performance LEDs to give a precise image of the degree of contamination in hydraulic systems. With eight monitoring channels, it can distinguish particle sizes ranging from 4 to 70 microns, allowing users to more accurately assess and quickly respond to increasing contamination. It is available in versions with or without display and keypad, and with an optional integrated moisture sensor as well. Web: www. stauffusa.com

Keep a Lid on It

New Pig has introduced a new way to keep pail contents in the pail and off the shop floor, no matter what the pail is made of. The Pig 5-gallon Latching Pail Lid is designed to fit both steel and poly pails, the first such lid with that distinction, the company says. The durable, powder-coated steel lid opens easily and closes with a single latching hasp. A reinforced hinge, latching mechanism and nitrile gasket create a tight seal around the lid, helping to keep pail contents pure and decrease vapor emissions. And, a fast-latch ring makes installation easy. Web: www.newpig. com

Elevance Advances Renewable Fluids

At last months ICIS Pan American Base Oils and Lubricants conference in Jersey City, N.J., Elevance Renewable Sciences unveiled a synthetic lubricant base stock for use in a range of products, from engine and gear lubricants to metalworking, industrial and hydraulic fluids to greases. Called Elevance Aria WTP 40, it comes from Elevances 180,000 metric ton/year joint venture biorefinery in Gresik, Indonesia. The high-viscosity base stock combines the composition and properties of two key technologies – synthetic esters and polyalphaolefins – into a single product, Elevance vice president Robin Weitkamp told conferees. He added that evaluations of Aria have shown lower friction, balanced additive solvency, excellent wear resistance, deposit control and cleanliness, high viscosity index and increased shear stability. Web: www. elevance.com

Tap into SKFs Custom Seals

SKF now has the capability to custom-make seals virtually on demand, with a turnaround time of as little as 24 hours from rush order to shipment for seals with outside diameters up to 24 inches. The company says its computer-numeric-controlled cutting technology allows it to produce any type of rotating, reciprocating or static seal. It can draw from its catalog of several hundred standard profiles, or can specially engineer custom seals, making them from a wide variety of stock, specialty or proprietary materials. Production quantities can range from a single piece to lots of several thousand, the company notes. Web: www.skfusa.com