ATIEL & UEIL Joint Sustainability Committee 8 Storage and Handling
8.1 Conditions Affecting Shelf Life • Base oil: Highly refined mineral oils, synthetic hydrocarbons and more saturated esters extend shelf life while lower-grade mineral oils and natural and synthetic esters shorten it.
• Additives: Various additives, such as antioxidants, can impact the rate of ageing/shelf life.
• Thickener: The presence of viscosity modifiers can contribute to accelerated degradation of the product.
Oxidation occurs in all oils that are in contact with air, including stored lubricants. The formulation of the lubricant affects the shelf life.
8.2 How to Store Lubricants Indoors
• Temperature: Increasing storage temperature by 10°C (18°F) can double the oxidation rate, halving the oil's usable life.
• Light Exposure: Lubricants should be shielded from direct light. • Humidity & Oxygen: The presence of moisture accelerates oxidation. • Storage Environment: Lubricants should be stored in covered, indoor areas with minimal temperature fluctuations.
• Contaminants: Keep lubricants free from dirt and dust to prevent contamination.
However, the rate at which the lubricant degrades, is also impacted by the environmental and storage conditions.
8.3 Important Factors That Impact Lubricant Shelf Life
All lubricants are best stored indoor where temperature variations are limited. If indoor space is limited, you should give priority to small packages, opened packages and lubricants which can be affected by frost. Rarely will indoor temperatures fall so low that they will affect a lubricant adversely. On the other hand, it is recommended to avoid excessive local heat from steam pipes, furnaces, heaters, etc. to prevent thermal degradation or volatilisation of solvent containing grades. The warmest part of a warehouse or store should be reserved for high viscosity oils to make dispensing easier. Stored lubricants should be kept dry at all times to prevent the corrosion of containers.
Outdoor storage of lubricants is possible if the products are protected from extreme temperatures and water ingression. Most lubricants are unaffected by other climatic conditions and can be stored outdoor for limited periods of time. However, if temperatures below 0°C (32°F) are anticipated, protection should be given to lubricants which are sensitive to the effects of frost such as oil/water emulsions and water-soluble fluids. The following products should never be stored outdoor:
Oil barrels standing in the open suffer temperature, and internal pressure variations. This leads to breathing where there is a leaking seal, with moisture liable to be drawn in, particularly if the barrel is standing cap-up, for the top of the barrel forms a rain trap. Water on top of the barrel can also cause rusting.
Version 11.06.2025 © ATIEL and UEIL Lubricants & Greases End of Life, Sustainable Best Practices Page 24 of 42
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