BIO-BASED GENERAL PURPOSE LUBRICANT: LUBE 'N LOOSEN

Revision Date: 7/04
Process Code: Navy/Marines: IND-023-16, SER-002-00; Air Force: PM08; FA01, MT01, AD01; Army: VHM
Usage List: Navy: Low; Marines: Low; Army: Low; Air Force: Low
Alternative For: Conventional petroleum-based general purpose lubricants
Compliance Impact: Low
Applicable EPCRA Targeted Constituents and CAS Numbers:  N/A
Overview: LUBEGARD® Lube N' Loosen is an environmentally safe, non-toxic, non-flammable general purpose lubricant formulated from 100% non-hazardous vegetable oil derivatives and liquid wax esters. Lube’N Loosen frees sticky mechanisms, loosens rusted parts, stops squeaks, and may be used as an assembly lubricant. Since Lube’N Loosen is ounce-for-ounce more expensive than other petroleum based lubricants, it is important that it is applied in the quantity and frequency specified by the manufacturer. The product will only be cost effective on a per spot, per month basis, if the consumer follows the manufacturer's directions.


Compliance Benefit: The substitution of vegetable-based general purpose lubricant for conventional petroleum-based lubricants may allow longer intervals between spot applications, thereby reducing oil consumption and waste disposal. A decrease in hazardous waste may help facilities reduce their generator status and lessen their regulatory burden (e.g., recordkeeping, reporting, inspections, transportation, accumulation time, emergency prevention and preparedness, and emergency response) under RCRA, 40 CFR 262. The decrease in the amount of used lubricant generated will also decrease the maintenance labor requirements. In addition, because vegetable-based lubricants are subject to higher spill reporting thresholds than petroleum-based lubricants, it will be easier for a facility to meet the requirements of SARA Title III (40 CFR 355, 370 and 372) and Executive Order 13148. Finally, the use of vegetable-based lubricants may help an activity meet the affirmative procurement requirements of Executive Order 13101.

The compliance benefits listed here are only meant to be used as general guidelines and are not meant to be strictly interpreted. Actual compliance benefits will vary depending on the factors involved, e.g., the amount of workload involved.


Materials Compatibility:


 No materials compatibility issues were identified.
Safety and Health: Safety and health concerns are minimal with vegetable-based oils. This product does not contain any hazardous ingredients or exposure limits.

Consult your local industrial health specialist, your local health and safety personnel, and the appropriate MSDS prior to implementing this technology.


Benefits:
  • Biodegradable
  • Non-aerosol
  • Non-flammable
  • Non-toxic
  • Sustainable product agriculturally derived, formulated entirely from vegetable oils
  • Contains no petroleum materials/distillates
Disadvantages:
  • Vegetable-based oil costs more than the conventional kerosene-based lubricant (the higher cost is offset by the decreased frequency of applications)


Economic Analysis: An economic analysis, assuming that vegetable-based Lube N’Loosen requires a third fewer number of applications and half as much product to provide lubrication equivalent to that of conventional kerosene-based general purpose lubricant, is presented below. Information was obtained from bio-based product evaluation reports conducted by the Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center.

Assumptions:

  • Labor cost: $20/hr.
  • Labor: 0.5 hour to lubricate 100 spots
  • For equivalent wear and friction reduction, conventional kerosene-based lubricant requires 10 applications per spot per month and Lube N’Loosen requires 3 applications per spot per month.
  • Lubricant cost: Kerosene-based - $0.16/oz, Lube N’Loosen - $0.69/oz.
  • Fluid ounces required per application: Kerosene-based - 0.5, Lube N’Loosen - 0.25

Table 1. Annual Operating Cost Comparison for Vegetable-Based Lubricant vs. Conventional Kerosene-Based Lubricant Cost

  LUBEGARD® Lube N' Loosen Conventional
Operational Costs:    
Labor: $360 $1,200
Lubricant Costs: $621 $960
Total Operational Costs: $981 $2,160
Total Recovered Income: $0 $0
Net Annual Cost/Benefit: -$981 -$2,160

Economic Analysis Summary:

  • Annual Savings for Lube 'N Loosen: $1,179
  • Capital Cost for Diversion Equipment/Process: $0
  • Payback Period for Investment in Equipment/Process: Immediate

Click here to View an Active Spreadsheet for this Economic Analysis and Enter Your Own Values. To return from the Active Spreadsheet, click the Back arrow in the Tool Bar.
NSN/MSDS:
Product NSN Unit Size Cost MSDS*
LUBEGARD® Lube N' Loosen 9150-00-223-4119 4 Oz. $4.60 Click Here

*There are multiple MSDSs for most NSNs. The MSDS (if shown above) is only meant to serve as an example. To return from the MSDS, click the Back arrow on the Tool Bar.


Approving Authority: Appropriate authority for making process changes should always be sought prior to procuring or implementing any of the technologies identified herein.
Points of Contact: For more information
Vendors: This is not meant to be a complete list, as there may be other suppliers of this type of equipment.

International Lubricants, Inc.
7930 Occidental Avenue, S.
Seattle, WA  98109
Phone: (800)-333-LUBE
E-mail: contact@lubegard.com
HomePage: International Lubricants, Inc.
Specific Information: LUBEGARD® Lube N' Loosen


Related Links:

Bio-based Solvents, Lubricants, Coolants and Fuels, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency


Sources: Evaluation of Bio-Based Industrial Products For Navy and DoD Use: Lubegard Lube N’Loosen Biodegradable All-Purpose Lubricant, Technical Report Number TR-2106-ENV, April 1999.