IN this paper, Mr. Brower presents data relative to the re-refining of aircraft-engine lubricating oils, based on 12 years' experience with the use of such oils by one of the major U. S. air transport operators.
Stress is placed on this subject at the present time not from the economical viewpoint of peace-time but from a conservation and emergency supply standpoint, which is of prime importance during wartime. A plea is made for more cooperation and coordination, as regards the subject of oil re-refining by the Army Air Forces, the Army's motorized ground forces, the Navy, the WPB, and the OPC, as well as the oil and aviation industries.
A distinction is made between the terms “reclamation” and “re-refining.” A review of service (flight) experience, cost figures, and several re-refining processes is included. A considerable amount of test data on re-refined aircraft-engine oils is presented in order to compare the results obtained by different re-refining units and by slight variations in the process employed by any given unit, and also to point out how a properly re-refined oil is substantially equal to the original new oil.
The test data submitted include not only the conventional routine laboratory tests to determine specification requirements but also aniline points, iodine values, several oxidation (or stability) and bearing corrosion tests.
