This report introduces the environmental performance required for engine oil through the transition of ILSAC standards and the additive technology that enables it. Also, SAE J300 has gradually standardized low-viscosity oil grades that are expected to have fuel-economy characteristics, then GF-6B newly adopt 0W-16. Furthermore, JASO adopt 0W-8 as well as 0W-12. As viscosity decreasing, conflicting robust performance is also required, and further development of additive technology is expected.

Life of grease refers to the duration of time at the end of which machine parts lubricated with the grease become not operable due to lubrication. These parts reach the end of their life by different failure modes including fatigue and wear. Grease contributes to extending machine part life through advanced technologies such as improved oil supply, additive optimization and thick film formation at low speeds. This paper presents examples of how grease extends the life of bearings for motor, electric auxiliaries and wind turbine main shaft.

Hydraulic fluid power systems are used widely in industry including construction machinery, aeronautical equipment, and manufacturing complex. A hydraulic oil is a key element in the systems; it is the means by which power is transferred throughout the circuit and equipment. Losses related to hydraulic oils are large and energy conservation is of growing importance these days. In this overview article the basics of hydraulic systems are revisited and the outlines of hydraulic oils are illustrated in terms of features of the systems, pump efficiency relating to viscosity, viscosity-index, and bulk modulus of oils, friction loss of pipe flow,and physical properties and compressibility of the oils. Additionally, the trends and issues in technology of hydraulic oils are surveyed and discussed.

Geothermal power plants generate electricity by using natural steam produced from the earth. They have many rotating machine lubricated by turbine oil, hydraulic oil, gear oil, vacuum oil and grease. Turbine oil requires highly anti-oxidation performance because of corrosive gas contamination in natural steam. More than half volume of the turbine oil are changed every two years.

Since lubricants are mostly mixtures of UVCB substances, chemical management control is difficult. It is important to respond to conventionally laws, as well as to various newly established guidelines and regulations. This article describes characteristics and points of chemical substances especially used for lubricants, and scientifically appropriate management. CAS numbers and GHS classifications are important information, but this article explain required more information to be checked.

From the aspect of effective use of resources, almost all of the quantity of used lubricating oil is recycled as fuel oil, and the recycling as lubricating oil is only a part in Japan. Here, we explain used lubricating oil recycling historically, also explain the fuel oil recycled from used lubricating oil, which is called “Reclaimed Oil”, from the characteristics and quality. Finally, we explain future issues of used lubricating oil.

In this commentary, we will introduce the tribology technology related to the cultural properties of Aichi prefecture. First of all, with regard to intangible cultural properties, we focus on the Aichi parade floats and describe the technical features. Also on abundant industrial heritage, we describe machine tools and railway technology. In addition, we introduce the war legacy which keeps the remnant of war damage, and look back on the history of tribology. By looking at these cultural properties, you can feel familiar with the technologies that form the basis of today's tribology.