Wind Turbine Lubricants
Testing & Evaluation

Image: SwRI conducts specialized lubricant testing to identify lubricant performance parameters such as oxidation and extreme pressure loading using the oxidation and four-ball test stands shown above.

SwRI conducts specialized lubricant testing to identify lubricant performance parameters such as oxidation and extreme pressure loading using the oxidation and four-ball test stands shown above.


  Image: SwRI performs many standardized gear lubricant evaluations as wind turbine lubricant tests.

SwRI performs many standardized gear lubricant evaluations such as wind turbine lubricant tests.

In any gearbox, lubrication is just as important as the hardware. In wind turbine gearboxes, it is imperative that the lubricant not only protects gearbox components, but also maintains a significant design life. Changing the oil in gearboxes in the turbine tower is inconvenient, time intensive and costly. Wind turbines are also subject to conditions that range from extremely low temperatures to exposure to airborne contaminants such as salt or dust.

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has been conducting automotive lubricant evaluations for more than 60 years. SwRI performs many of these standardized gear lubricant evaluations as wind turbine lubricant evaluations. Along with standardized testing, SwRI works with OEMs and additive companies to develop specialized evaluations for components and full gearbox systems.

Test Name

Standard

Rust Test

ASTM D665

Copper Strip Corrosion Test

ASTM D130

Four Ball EP Test

ASTM D2783

Four Ball Wear Test

ASTM D4172

Timken EP Test

ASTM D2782

Falex EP Continuous Load

ASTM D3233

FZG A/8.3/90

ASTM D5182

FZG Micropitting Test @ 60°C
FVA 54/7 Pass Stage

FVA Proc No. 54

FZG Micropitting Test @ 90°C
FVA 54/7 Pass Stage

FVA Proc No. 54

Oxidation Test

ASTM D2893

L-60-1 Thermal Oxidation Test

ASTM D5704

Demulsibility Test

ASTM D2711

Foam Tendency Test

ASTM D892

Viscosity Index

ASTM D2270

Water Separability

ASTM D1401


For more information, visit Wind Power Technology.

Related Terminology

wind turbine  •  wind turbine testing  •  wind turbine lubricant  •  gearbox  •  lubricant  •  lubrication  •  wind turbine  •  gearbox  •  turbine tower  •  automotive lubricant test  •  standardized gear lubricant  •  gearbox system  •  rust test  •  copper strip corrosion  •  four ball EP  •  four ball wear  •  imken EP  •   falex EP continuous load  •  FZG, micropitting  •  FAG FE8  •  oxidation  •  L-60-1  •  thermal oxidation  •  demulsibility  •  foam tendency  •  viscosity index  •  water separability

windturbineoils.swri.org
Rebecca Warden, Research Engineer, Test Stand Development, Office of Automotive Engineering, Fuels & Lubricants Research,
(210) 522-6266, rwarden@swri.org

Benefiting government, industry and the public through innovative science and technology
Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a multidisciplinary, independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 11 technical divisions.
02/12/13