12 Jul The Tissue Test: An easy and effective way to check the performance of your lubricant
With today’s wood panel presses running hotter and faster, it is more important than ever to ensure the adequate lubrication of the steel belts in operation on continuous panel presses such as Dieffenbacher and Siempelkamp. The tissue test is a simple and universal evaluation method employed by the wood panel industry to assess steel belt lubricant quality.
The tissue test is the first method METALUBE sales engineers use to identify the quality of lubrication on press steel belt. To perform the test, you simply take 2x sheets of tissue and wipe a section of the steel belt with the tissue. What our we are looking for is evidence of oxidation. This presents as darkened, and in some cases, a black residue on the tissue, and can indicate an oil that is operating outside of its temperature capabilities. In some instances, we have audited prospect sites where the tissue test yields a dry result. If this happens, then the belt is not being lubricated adequately.
In ideal conditions, the tissue test would result in an amber coloured oil that penetrates 2 sheets of the tissue. This indicates that the steel belts are adequately lubricated, and that the lubricant is not degrading, or oxidising.