How many Watts can you gain with Revolubes?

Good question. Although before giving any numbers, it will remain open, as I'd like to show you something interesting about Revolubes when we tackle the topic.

Let us start from Adam and Eve. Each mechanism's power loss is strictly associated with its internal drag, which can be analysed down to friction forces occurring between co-operating components and trying to counteract their movement. Hence, the obvious conclusion is that if you want to save Watts, you need to counteract  these friction forces. How do we get around it then?

Remember the example with a wooden box and a floor from the previous article? Let me put it here once again:

When you attempt to pull a box and slide it over to another place, the friction between the box and the floor prevents you from doing so. The box will stay in place, unless you pull it hard enough to overcome the static friction and sliding starts. In other words, unless you act with a greater force than the friction itself.

This is when you come out from the static region of the friction diagram above and go into the kinetic region.

Once you have moved the box the friction force oscillates around a certain, constant value. This is true unless the floor’s texture changes, or you introduce a lubricant in between the surfaces. The only difference though, is that the friction force would oscillate around a different, but still a constant value.

This is given by the formula:

Where:
f_k - is a kinetic friction force (drag).
µ_k - is a kinetic friction factor, applicable for objects in motion. Describes the contact surfaces’ textures and relevant conditions.
N - is the force coming from load. It can be object’s weight or externally applied load.

This formula tells us three things:

• No matter how fast the box is sliding, it does not change the kinetic friction force. 
• You can change the friction force either by changing the box weight (someone sits on it)
• Or by sliding it on a different surface – Spill some oil or go box ice skating?

Now, have a look on our test bench video once again, but this time observe the ampere-metre carefully. It is connected to the electric motor and indicates the amount of current flow.

The more resistance (drag, friction and work) the engine must overcome the higher current flow it requires. Basic electro-technology but provides an indication on the amount of friction between the cylinder and the sample while load is gradually applied with the leaver.

You can clearly see that after Revolubes has been applied, the amperemeter indication, and hence the drag, has not been substantially increased even due to significant load differences.
The dial has barely moved against a significant change in load - from 300 [N] to 1500 [N].

So, the conclusion is that despite increasing load, friction force stays at constant value.
At first glance this is against common sense, but if you look at the friction formula once again, you will see it is only possible if the friction factor decreases as the load increase.

How is it possible, since we have not introduced anything else but lube, which should only decrease friction factor by a constant amount?

Active and intelligent lubricants.

This is where it gets interesting and where Revolubes become Active Calcium Sulphonate Complex Lubricant. Meaning it actively modifies the top material’s layer to tackle friction coefficient. And it does so in three steps:

1. Revolubes modifies the physical features of material’s surface, causing it to float under load in microscale. This causes a plastic displacement of material’s excess from crests to cavities, virtually polishing and smoothing the surfaces without material loss during the “wear in” process, lowering the friction factor µ. 

Microscopic view of the sample tested on quasi falex test bench. (Video)

2. Once the coating is established, Revolubes cause the metal surface to behave like a Non-Newtonian fluid. It basically means that the surface hardens when load is applied to it, preventing it from deflections and shape change. This provides ground for reaction force to compensate the applied load and prevents from creating grooves, scuffs, or other material losses.

3. On top of it, the surface gets covered with Calcium sulphonate crystals in a form of Calcite. Calcite crystals have a layered, wafer like structure with CO₃ shear planes in between the Ca layers. The latter can slide freely along each other, offering yet improved lubricity and further decreases the friction factor µ.

All of the above combined, provide significant friction reduction, and wear protection when it is needed most - at high power inputs, when accelerating, going uphill or time trailing. 

Fair enough, but how many Watts can it save me?

Different disciplines measure power savings in different ways hence, complying with each is a long and costly process. However, we've gathered some qualitative information, depending on application:

Cycling - Revolubes is awaiting in a queue to be tested by Zero Friction Cycling, the most recognisable lubricant testing company in the performance cycling. Drop them a note, maybe it’ll help speed up things?

Despite that, a lot of our clients confidently say that you can feel the difference straight after applying Revolubes. The best part is that it handles high watt, high load and low cadence climbs so well, that it makes each ride a surreal experience. As if the chain didn’t exist.

Motorsports - A combination of chain lubrication and engine oil enrichment (different Revolubes product – contact us for more info) leads to a couple of HP savings and higher top speed.

In our cooperation with a speedway team, the result was a motorcycle outrunning the competitors by a length of the bike at the start line. Such performance, without chain snap or piston/crankshaft failure and visible mechanical flaws after further inspection is most certainly worth attention.

Fishing - Revolubes treated reels, either for sea or freshwater fishing, feature smooth and quiet reel's operation, longer casting and quicker retrieval at frequent intervals.

They also exhibit longer lifespan and durability, what also gives you confidence, when going after a bigger fish!

Firearms - Revolubes provides 30% increase in projectile initial speed. This is enough to penetrate a 10 mm steel plate with a 7.62x51 mm bullet, shot from 100 metres.

Revolubes developed a separate product for firearms. Please contact us for more details.

Sailing - Revolubes, apart from protecting against corrosion, eliminates jams of capstans or blocks. It improves rigging and tackle strength and equipment reliability.

Revolubes developed a separate product for yachting applications. Please contact us for more details.