OILS.IRON DISSOLVED IN 24 HOURS.COPPER DISSOLVED IN 10 DAYS.Neat's foot.0875 grain..1100 grain.Sperm.0460 ".0030 "Olive.0062 ".2200 "Paraffine.0045 ".0015 "
76. Various Experimentshave been made by the writer with a number of oils that may be, or have been, used in horology, as well as with the principal watch oils on the market. At first he did not intend to mention the names of the manufacturers; but, after seeking advice of several eminent watchmakers, and on mature consideration, he decided to do so for the following reasons:—
1. The object of the Society before which these lectures were delivered[21]is "to promote and to secure concerted action for the purpose ofmutualimprovement in the practice of our profession as horologists, by a study of both the practical and theoretical divisions of the science and art of horology;to publish the results of such study for the benefit of all in the profession;to preserve the same for the use of our successors; to elevate the standard of workmanship; and to encourage in the members a higher conception of what our art really is."
As this object cannot be attained without the names of manufacturers being mentioned in connection with their oils, the author considers that this is sufficient justification.
2. No injustice can have been done the manufacturers when the author states that the results obtained by him are not to be considered as conclusive evidence regarding the properties of the oils tested, as the samples he used may have been better than, or not so good as, the usual output of the manufacturers whose names were on the labels.
3. Some of the manufacturers of oils sent samples subject to the condition of the publication of the results, with the request that the oils should be submitted to test, and if found wanting, they (the manufacturers) certainly wished to know it.
SYMBOLS EMPLOYED.MANUFACTURER.OIL.NAME.LOCATION.KIND.NAME.SOURCE.GENERIC.SPECIFIC.[B]E. K. wEzra KelleyNew Bedford, Mass.WatchSuperfineAnimalPorpoise jaw or blackfish—melon[B]W. F. N. wW. F. NyeNew Bedford, Mass.WatchSuperiorAnimalPorpoise jaw or blackfish—melon[A]D. C. S. wD. C. StullProvincetown, Mass.WatchSuperfineAnimalPorpoise jaw or blackfish—melon[A]D. C. S. chD. C. StullProvincetown, Mass.ChronometerSuperfineAnimalPorpoise jaw or blackfish—melon[A]D. C. S. clD. C. StullProvincetown, Mass.ClockSuperfineAnimalPorpoise jaw or blackfish—melon[B]W. C. wW. CuypersDresden, GermanyWatchSuperfineAnimalBone[A]B. & K. wBreitinger & KunzPhiladelphia, Pa.WatchSuperfineAnimalBone[A]S. B. & Co. wcStevenson Bro. & Co.Philadelphia, Pa.Watch & clockAlbumMineralNeutral[A]C. L. Co. wChem. Lub'g Co.Brooklyn, N. Y.WatchPerfectMixedNeutral & —— ?[A][C]C. L. Co. No. 1Chem. Lub'g Co.Brooklyn, N. Y.LubricatingNo. 1 SynoleneMineralNeutral[A][C]GlycBullock & CrenshawPhiladelphia, Pa.LubricatingGlycoleneMineralNeutral[B][C]Alb. fMcKesson & RobbinsPhiladelphia, Pa.LubricatingFluid albolineMineralNeutral[B][C]Alb. sMcKesson & RobbinsPhiladelphia, Pa.LubricatingSolid albolineMineralParaffine[B][C]Sp——?——?Lubricating——?AnimalSperm, whale[B][C]Ol——?——?Lubricating——?VegetableOlive
[Note A: Obtained as sample from manufacturer.]
[Note B: Purchased in open market.]
[Note C: Not sold as watch oil.]
4. On hearing of these experiments, others in the profession may be tempted to make similar or other investigations and publish them.
5. In that case, if the results of many experiments demonstrate the superiority of one particular kind of oil, the whole profession will be profited thereby.
6. The manufacturers of oils may be caused to exert their utmost to keep abreast of the times, and will see for themselves in what way their oils may not fulfill the required conditions, thereby being the better prepared to overcome the difficulties with which they meet.
For the sake of convenience the author has tabulated a list of the oils which he has subjected to various tests, showing the name, kind and source of each oil tested; also those which were obtained as samples, and those which were purchased in open market, as well as those which were not sold as watch oils, but which may be tried.
This is shown in table III.
77. The Action Of Oils On Brasshas been determined by the author by using a piece of good sheet brass into which suitable recesses were made for the retention of the various oils. This plate was submitted to the action of the air at temperatures varying from 24° to 37.5° C. (about 76° to 100° F.), for 100 days.
The results of this test are shown in Table IV. A further test, under different conditions, gave results as shown in Table V.
SYMBOLS ACCORDINGTO TABLE III.CONDITION.OF OIL.OF BRASS.E. K.Light brown.Brown.W. F. N.""W. C."Light brown.B. & K.""C. L. Co. w.Spread."C. L. Co. No. 1Unaltered."Glyc.""Sp.Light brown.Greenish-brown.Ol.Green.Dark greenish-brown.
SYMBOLS ACCORDINGTO TABLE III.CONDITION.OF OIL.OF BRASS.E. K. w.Very Light Brown.No change.W. F. N. w." " "" "D. C. S. w." " "" "D. C. S. ch." " "" "D. C. S. cl." " "" "W. C. w.No change." "B. & K. w." "" "S. B. & Co. w. & cl." "" "C. L. Co. w." "" "C. L. Co. No. 1" "" "Glyc." "" "Alb. f." "Very light brown.Alb. s." "Unaltered.
78. The Effect of Oils on Steel, with a view of ascertaining their rust preventing properties, especially to see if the treatment of hairsprings with averyslight film of oil (56), would prevent rust in warm, damp climates was ascertained by the author, as follows: Each of twelve brass pins, stuck vertically in a block of wood, had a colleted hairspring on its upper end. The block of wood was allowed to float in water and covered by a glass. One hairspring was left as it came from the factory, while each of the others had been treated with a solution of porpoise jaw oil and benzine, varying proportions of one to ten per cent of oil being used, the balance being benzine. The hairsprings were dipped into the solution, and, on withdrawing, were immediately placed between two folds of soft linen cloth. In any case not enough oil remained on the hairsprings to cause the coils to adhere. One per cent of nitric acid was added to the water, and after ten days the hairsprings showed on examination that they had rusted in proportion to the amount of oil that had been used. Another trial, without acid in the water, and with one hairspring treated with ether, one with benzine, one each with one, two, five and ten per cent of porpoise jaw oil in benzine, and one each with the same quantity of mineral oil in benzine, showed after thirty days that the hairspring treated with ten per cent mineral oil was slightly rusted, while those treated with ether and benzine were badly rusted, and all the others were rusted more or less.
79. The Gumming and Drying of Oilsis a very important consideration, the former being caused by oxidation, while the latter is due to evaporation.
In order to determine these properties in various oils the author used a number of watch glasses, their convex side being glued to a board. Two drops of oil were placed in each watch glass and spread over its concave surface, and the board placed in a covered box in which suitable air holes had been made, and allowed to remain in a temperature varying from 21° to 37.5° C. (= 70° to 110° F.) for 100 days, and at the end of that time the results shown in table VI were noted.
SYMBOLS ACCORDINGTO TABLE III.CONDITION.E. K. w.Slightly dried.W. F. N. w.Very slightly dried.W. C. w.Slightly gummed.B. & K. w.No change.C. L. Co. w.Slightly dried, and spread.C. L. Co. No. 1.No change.Glyc.No change.Sp.Slightly gummed.Ol.No change.
80. The Viscosity Of Oilsdenotes an approximate measurement of their relative lubricating power.
Professor Thurston states[22]that "large consumers of oil sometimes purchase on the basis of this kind of test solely. It is regarded as satisfactory and reliable as any single physical or chemical test known, and is second only to the best testing machine methods.
The less the viscosity, consistently with the use of the oil under the maximum pressure to be anticipated, the less is, usually, the friction. The best lubricant, as a rule, is that having the least viscosity combined with the greatest adhesiveness. Vegetable oils are more viscous than animal, and animal more so than mineral oils.The fluidity of an oil is thus, to a large extent, a measure of its value."
The relation between the viscosity and the friction reducing power of oils has been determined by Mr. N. C. Waite[23]and others to be very close.
An oil having little viscosity is suitable for the escapement and lighter parts of the train, but is not a good lubricant for the bearings of the center pinion and barrel arbor and the mainspring, which require a more viscous lubricant; while a still greater viscosity renders it more serviceable on the stem winding mechanism (59) and in the pendant (60).
Again, an oil that possesses sufficient "body," or combined capillarity (32) and viscosity, to resist the tendency to be "squeezed" from between the bearing surfaces in the heavier parts of the mechanism will produce agreat excess of fluid frictionin the lighter parts of the train and in the escapement.
81. The Relative Viscosity of Oilsis determined in several ways. Various machines have been devised for testing the lubricating properties of oils, but as the cheap ones are of no use, and as those which are reliable are so expensive as to prohibit their general use except in laboratories and large factories, a simple method of ascertaining the relative viscosity of oils is desirable.
The author used a piece of plate glass of suitable size on which one drop of each oil to be tested was placed near its end. The glass inclined from the horizontal, longitudinally—the angle of inclination being 6 degrees—and was placed in a constant temperature of 15.5° C. (= 60° F.)
The total distance in centimeters which each had traveled by the end of each day, as well as the appearance of the "track" which it had left is shown in table VII.
SYMBOLS ACCORDINGTO TABLE III.DISTANCE IN CM. TRAVELED BY OIL AT THE END OF EACH DAY.WIDTH OF TRACK.DAYS.1234567E. K. w.1618Stat..........18Medium.W. F. N. w.1516.5181920Stat.20"W. C. w.17.51920Stat.......20Narrow.B. & K. w.12.51517.520Stat....20"C. L. Co. w.7.51012.51517.5Stat.17.5Very wide.C. L. Co. No. 1.1516.518Stat.......18Medium.Glyc.1516.518Stat.......18"Sp.02.557.591011Narrow.Ol.56.57Stat.......7"
Table VII not only shows the relative viscosity of the various oils, but also their tendency to gum or dry (79.) The "width of the track" left by the oil is an indication of the cohesion (20) and adhesion (21) which exists, respectively, in the oil and between the oil and the glass. A narrow track denotes great cohesion and little adhesion; a wide trackdenotes great adhesion and little cohesion; while a medium track indicates that both properties are more nearly equal.
If an oil possess great adhesion and little cohesion it is more liable to resist the tendency to be squeezed out of bearings, but it is also more likely to spread.
Another test made in the manner just described (table VII) gave results as shown in table VIII:
SYMBOLS ACCORDINGTO TABLE III.DISTANCE IN CM. TRAVELED BY OIL AT THE END OF EACH DAY.Days.0.31.32.33.34.35.36.37.3E. K. w.142326.528.529.531.532.533W. F. N. w.12.52026.5293132.533.534W. C. w.192426.5282930.53233B. & K. w.1417.5252729.531.53333.5S. B. & Co. w. c.10202626.52727.52828.5C. L. Co. w.293840.542.54343.5Stat.43.5C. L. Co. No. 1.17.523272829303132Glyc.17.523283032343535.2Alb. f.1520293335373838.5
The author once heard a watchmaker say to a customer, when the latter called for a clock which had been left for repairs, "I have cleaned your clock thoroughly; and, as you are a good customer, I made as good a job of it as I could.I even oiled it with watch oil." This watchmaker evidentlythoughthe was right. It is hardly necessary to mention that a stock of oils of different viscosity should bekept on hand and intelligently used; the different bearings in any time keeping mechanism requiring oils of different viscosity. It is not to be supposed that the author meanseachbearing in a watch is to have a separate oil applied; but a distinction should be made between the light and heavy pressures.
82. The Effect Of Heat On Oilsis very marked in all cases; some oils being much more subject to change than others, in viscosity and other properties, under the influence of an increase of temperature.
The lubricating power of an oil is decreased, while its tendency to spread is increased, with a rise of temperature. In order to ascertain the relative values of various oils in this respect the writer used a plate of glass 28 cm. x 40 cm., placed it flat on a table, and, depositing one drop of each oil near one of its longer edges, allowed it to remain in a temperature of 21° C. (= 70° F.) for 30 minutes. At the end of this time the glass plate was placed in a vertical position, with its edge near which the drops of oil had been deposited uppermost and horizontal. The time required by each oil to run down to the bottom, a distance of 25 cm., was noted. The width of the track, at a point 3 cm. from the location of the drop at the start, was measured when the oil had passed that point, and again measuredat the same pointwhen the oil had reached the bottom.
The same test was repeated, with all the conditions similar except that the temperature of the room was raised to 38° C. (= 100° F.) before the oil was placed on the glass; but the glass was allowed to remain in this temperature also for 30 minutes.
The results of both experiments are shown in table IX.
SYMBOLS ACCORDING TO TABLE III.MINUTES REQUIRED TO FLOW 25 CM. AT A TEMPERATURE OFWIDTH OF TRACK IN MM. AT A POINT 3 CM. BELOW STARTING PLACE WHEN THE OIL HAD FLOWED21°C. =70°F.38°C. = 100°F.Temp. 21°C (=70°F.)Temp. 38°C. (=100°F.)3 CM.25 CM.3 CM.25 CM.E. K. w.21145555W. F. N. w.18125555D. C. S. w.20135555D. C. S. ch.15105555D. C. S. cl.20115555W. C. w.1385151B. & K. w.13115050S. B. & Co. w. c.15116668C. L. Co. w.17156778C. L. Co. No. 1.15106655Glyc.14106658Alb. f.14106656Sp.1076150Ol.14125251
While the relative viscosity of oils in varying high temperatures is shown in table IX, the width of the track indicates the same properties as were explained in reference to table VII. Thus it is seen that the third and fifth columns of figures denote the relative adhesion of the oils, approximately according to the value of the figures; while the fourth and sixth columns exhibit their relative cohesion, and absence of adhesion, approximately according to the inverse value of the figures. Thus the tendency of the oil to spread, in thewarm temperature to which time keeping mechanisms are frequently subjected, is indicated.
83. The Effect Of Cold On Oilsis very observable in some varieties, converting them into greases, or even into hard, waxy solids. For out-of-door work unguents must be selected that will "feed" at any temperature to which they are exposed in the working of the bearings to which they are applied.
The author has subjected various oils to a low degree of temperature, using a sufficient number of thin glass test tubes of 3 cubic centimeters capacity,[24]into each of which 2 cubic centimeters of the oils to be tested were poured. The test tubes were then tightly corked and properly secured to a thin board, and placed in a temperature of -15° C. (= 5° F.) the condition of the oils being noted at various intervals, the result of which is shown in table X.
84. The Variations of Viscosity of Oils in Varying Temperaturesalways create fluctuations of their friction reducing power; while the variations of fluid friction which result are also of great importance in horology. When it is known that the viscosity and lubricating power of an oil are usually (80) very closely related, it is seen that change of temperature has an exceedingly important effect upon oils, even for general lubricating purposes; but particularly so when they are applied to small and delicate mechanisms.
An oil of the proper viscosity at ordinary temperatures may be very unsuitable in an extreme of heat, or cold, to which timepieces are frequently subjected—on account of being too limpid in high temperatures to properly separate the rubbing surfaces; while in low temperatures it may become so viscous as to seriously impede the motion of the escapement and the lighter parts of the train.
SYMBOLS ACCORDINGTO TABLE III.CONDITION OF OIL.TIME.15 MIN.30 MIN.1 HOUR.6 HOURS.ORDER OFVISCOSITYE. K. W. w.............2W. F. N. w.......t-f.t-f.4D. C. S. w.............2D. C. S. ch.............2D. C. S. cl.s-s.s-s.s-s.s-s.6W. C. w.............2B. & K. w.............2S. B. & Co. w. c.............1C. L. Co. w.s-s.s-s.s-s.s-s.5C. L. Co. No. 1.s-s.s-s.s-s.s-s.7Glyc.............1Alb. f.............3Sp.s-s.s-s.s.v-s.8Ol.v-t-f.s-s.s.v-s.9
T. F. = Thickly fluid; or like honey. V. T. F. = Very thickly fluid; or like jelly. S. S. = Semi-solid; or like butter at 60° F. S. = Solid; or like butter at freezing point. V. S. = Very solid; or like paraffin wax.The figures in the last column denote the apparent relative viscosity, as ascertained by inverting the test tubes repeatedly.
T. F. = Thickly fluid; or like honey. V. T. F. = Very thickly fluid; or like jelly. S. S. = Semi-solid; or like butter at 60° F. S. = Solid; or like butter at freezing point. V. S. = Very solid; or like paraffin wax.
The figures in the last column denote the apparent relative viscosity, as ascertained by inverting the test tubes repeatedly.
Fig. 15Fig. 15
Again, even if the oil were viscous enough in high temperatures to resist the tendency to be "squeezed" out of the bearings, therateof the timepiece would be seriously affected by the variation of solid and fluid friction—especially the latter—caused by a variable viscosity of the oil.
When a watch, chronometer or clock has been so adjusted as to keep amaximum even rate, the oil is one ofthe factors of the variation which has been overcome; and it is obvious that if another oil be used, in which a greater or less variation of viscosity exists than in the oil with which such timepiece was lubricated prior to adjustment, the variation so produced will be more or less observable.
It is, then, evidently necessary to be able to ascertain, with the greatest possible exactness, what change in this respect is produced in the various oils by a change of temperature. The means previously given (81-83) have their value; but when supplemented by a method for determining the particular property under consideration, the results obtained are exceedingly interesting and valuable. On account of the importance of this matter the author has made investigations in this direction, using a "viscosimeter" as shown at Fig. 15, and of which the following is a description:
AA represents an ordinary retort stand, with adjustable arms, BB, for holding in position the thermometer C, and the funnel DD capable of holding about one pint of water. EE is the viscosimeter proper, a glass tube, swollen at the lower end, and terminating in a circular orifice of 1 millimeter (= .04 inch) in diameter;[25]being a "pipette" holding one cubic centimeter of oil between the dotted lines U and O.
F is a flexible gum elastic tube fitting with an air-tight joint to the upper end of the glass tube. The funnel is closed at its lower end by a tightly-fitting cork H, in which an opening is made, through which opening the pipette passes and projects slightly below. G is a small, shallow vessel, preferably of glass, of sufficient capacity to receive the contents of the pipette. S is a syphon composed of a glass tube in two sections—united by a short piece of rubbertube on which the device P pinches by the adjustment of the lever L—the bent section beginning near the bottom of the funnel, while the straight section terminates below the level of the table on which the retort stand is placed.
In operating with this, the author proceeded as follows: The funnel was partially filled with water, and hot water added until its temperature reached 43° C. (= 110° F). A sufficient quantity of the oil to be tested was placed in the glass vessel G, and drawn into the viscosimeter by gentle suction of the mouth until it exactly reached the line U, where it was retained, by a slight pressure with the thumb and finger, for five minutes, the temperature of the water in the funnel being kept constant. At the end of that time, after being sure that all the conditions as to temperature and quantity of oil were satisfied, the pressure of the thumb and finger was relaxed, when the oil began to drop through the lower end of the pipette.
The time required for the upper surface of the oil to fall from U to O was carefully ascertained by means of a "stop watch," and the number of seconds noted. In case of doubt the test was repeated.
The temperature of the water in the funnel was then lowered by the addition of ice, to 38° C. (= 100° F.), when the operation was again performed as just described. This was repeated at regular intervals of temperature down to 4° C. (= 40° F), when the water was again heated, the pipette thoroughly cleansed by introducing benzine into the pipette in a manner similar to that by which the oil was introduced. The surplus water which accumulated in the funnel was allowed to escape through the syphon by relaxing the lever of the pinching device. It is obviousthat the number of seconds, in each case, corresponds to the viscosity. Other oils were put through the same course, the results obtained being shown in table XI.
SYMBOLS ACCORDING TO TABLE III.SECONDS REQUIRED FOR 1 C. C. OF OIL TO FLOW THROUGH AN ORIFICE OF 1 MM. (= .04 IN.)Temp.{A}CENT.4.51015.52126.53237.543FAHR.405060708090100110E. K. w.25201715108.576W. F. N. w.272014119876D. C. S. w.3223.5191512.511.59.58D. C. S. ch.2823171411.5976D. C. S. cl.29201714.5118.576.5W. C. w.2420181311.51087B & K. w.46352520171511.510S. B. & Co. w. c.211611.5109876.5C. L. Co. w.141096.554.543.5C. L. Co. No. 1.322812.5108.57.56.56Glyc.1913109.57.56.55.55Alb. f.251916131086.55.5
[Note A: The readings of the Centigrade and Fahrenheit scales given here are not exactly equivalent; but they are near enough for all practical purposes.]
85. Mixed Oilshave been tried by many who have been desirous of obtaining a better lubricant. A mixture of different kinds of animal or vegetable oils—or a combination of both—has usually proved worse than any single one of the components; as, when it is known that "alterations[26]ofcomposition occur in the animal and vegetable oils with exposure to air and light and with advancing age" (74-2), it is obvious that this chemical action is accelerated by a mixture.
The mineral oils are not subject to such alterations to any serious extent; and, when they are compounded with animal or vegetable oils, the resulting mixture partakes of the good qualities of both, according to experiments which the author has made. It would make this paper[27]too lengthy to insert the results; however, a future opportunity may not be wanting.
86. Various Manufacturersof watches, chronometers and clocks, have favored the writer with more or less valuable information in answer to queries on the subject, which has been tabulated and which is shown in table XII.
It is necessary to know just what kind of oil has been used by the manufacturer of a time piece for three reasons:—
(1.) If some of the bearings need a small quantity of oil, being otherwise in such good condition—because of never having been used, in fact "new"—that it is unnecessary to take all the mechanism apart and clean it, it is very important that the operator know what kind, or variety, of lubricant has been previously used, in order not to "mix oils;" or, if a mixture is thus made, to make it intelligently. (85.)
(2.) When the oil which has been applied in the factory has not performed its functions properly in any part of a time piece, it is necessary to know what particular variety of lubricant has been used in order to substitute an oil which possesses the properties lacked by the oil previously used. (61.)
(3.) In a watch which has been so adjusted as to keep a maximum even rate, the oil is one of the factors of the variation which has been overcome. It is necessary, then, on putting the watch in order, to employ a lubricant which possesses the same variation of viscosity as the oil which was used during adjustment. (84.)
Some other interesting facts are shown in table XII, as well as the foregoing. The queries were as follows:—
QUESTIONS ASKED.