General

1: If we are under contract to major oil company can we still use HYDROX/HYDROX BIO? >>>

Almost all our customers for HYDROX/HYDROX BIO are contracted to majors. There is rarely a problem in using a specialised oil such as HYDROX/HYDROX BIO for a specific application, particularly if there are problems of water ingress or outboard oil loss.

Some majors recommend HYDROX/HYDROX BIO for specialised use.
Some majors use HYDROX/HYDROX BIO in their own tanker fleets.
Some majors acknowledge they have no direct equivalent to HYDROX/HYDROX BIO.

2: By using HYDROX/HYDROX BIO will we have to carry additional grades on Board? >>>

Yes, but any inconvenience needs to be considered against the advantages.
In most cases the quantities involved are small relative to other lubricants carried on board.
Many vessels as a policy carry one or two drums of HYDROX/HYDROX BIO on board for emergency use in the event that sudden leakage problems can develop.
Tank labels can be supplied where appropriate to avoid confusion.

3: Is HYDROX/HYDROX BIO available worldwide? >>>

HYDROX/HYDROX BIO are stocked in major ports worldwide.

4: If we replace our “leak proof” seals on a regular basis should we still use HYDROX/HYDROX BIO? >>>

Our experience is that most, if not all, seals can develop problems sometimes fouling with fishing nets or other mechanical damage.
Classification society data showed outboard seal defects to be the most common cause of sterntube problems within the class of vessel analysed.
Vickers oil sample analysis shows a high proportion of vessels sampled exhibit water ingress problems to different degrees.
The use of HYDROX/HYDROX BIO itself contributes to the preservation of the seal rings since it has been designed to be compatible with the most common compounds used in seal manufacture.
Water can enter because of its low viscosity relative to the oil and where a “pumping action” develops at the aft seal, especially when the shaft rotates at slow speed.

5: Does water ingress do any harm? >>>

Conventional system oils are not normally tolerant of water which may adversely affect the oil additives and hence its lubrication performance.
Water contamination of HYDROX/HYDROX BIO does not lead to problems of corrosion. This may not be the case with conventional oils.
The presence of water in conventional oils invariably results in a major deterioration in lubrication performance. With HYDROX/HYDROX BIO lubrication performance is substantially maintained. This can be demonstrated by reference to laboratory tests (4-ball).
Conventional oils will tend to separate out water when the sternshaft is not rotating. The water will tend to displace the oil at the low points in the system, including the bearing. When the vessel restarts there will be a virtual absence of bearing lubrication.
HYDROX/HYDROX BIO produces stable emulsions which remain homogeneous and maintain consistent lubrication and corrosion protection.

6: If we get water ingress should we either drain it off or purify the oil? >>>

There are often “dead spots” in the system from where it is very difficult to drain off the water.
By the time water contamination is discovered corrosion or loss of lubrication may already have occurred.
Purifiers cannot always cope with larger amounts of water contamination.
HYDROX/HYDROX BIO deals with ingress as soon as it occurs.

7: If we get water ingress should we increase the inboard oil pressure? >>>

This could deform the seals and cause an increase in oil leakage outboard.
It is difficult to balance sea water and oil pressure.

8: If we have water ingress when using HYDROX/HYDROX BIO will the viscosity of the emulsion be too high to get good flow? >>>

HYDROX/HYDROX BIO oils are specially designed to produce fluid emulsions even where up to 20% or so water is present.
This has been proved in practice on numerous occasions.

HYDROX/HYDROX BIO + water was found to flow through a pipe of 8mm bore, 2.5m length with a head height of 50cm without difficulty under laboratory conditions. Ambient temperature was 4°C.

9: Does using HYDROX/HYDROX BIO help if the crew cannot carry out immediate repairs? >>>

It is not always possible to repair immediately, especially if the vessel is in mid-ocean, or far from suitable repair facilities.
The cost of unscheduled dry dockings is high compared to the cost of using HYDROX 21/HYDROX BIO 220

10: Will there be an increase in running temperature if I replace my present sterntube oil with the more viscous HYDROX21/HYDROX BIO 220? >>>

Many factors influence running temperature; oil viscosity does have an effect such that a temperature increase may be expected with a heavier viscosity oil. However, the normal temperature increase as a result of switching from a SAE30 oil to HYDROX 21/HYDROX BIO 220 is less than 10°C (usually 2-4°C).
From experience the normal running temperature with HYDROX/HYDROX BIO is in the range 25-40°C. With HYDROX 21/HYDROX BIO 220 and large amounts of water temperature of 60-70°C have been recorded without any loss of lubrication or damage.

11: Does using a heavier grade of conventional oil help reduce outboard oil loss? >>>

Heavier oils do not always stop oil leakage.
Whilst viscosity is one factor there are other features of the HYDROX 21/HYDROX BIO 220 formulation which act to reduce oil loss.
Sample analysis demonstrates that where there is oil leakage there is also likely to be water ingress. Only HYDROX 21/HYDROX BIO 220 can deal with both phenomena at the same time.

12: If the header tank height is reduced, thus lowering the oil pressure will this help reduce outboard oil loss? >>>

The reduced oil pressure may help to reduce leakage if the seals are not too badly damaged but better results will be obtained with HYDROX 21/HYDROX BIO 220 even where serious seal problems have occurred.
In any case reduced oil pressure may lead to water ingress. Again HYDROX 21/HYDROX BIO 220 combats both problems.

13: Is it practical to drain out conventional oil and replace it with HYDROX/HYDROX BIO when the vessel has run into problems? >>>

HYDROX/HYDROX BIO is compatible with conventional system oils in the vast majority of cases. To introduce HYDROX 21/HYDROX BIO 220 therefore, it is only necessary to empty the header tank, fill with HYDROX/HYDROX BIO and then continue to top up.
For specific advice please contact Vickers Oils for more information.

14: How do I get a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)? >>>

Safety Data Sheets are available for download on each product page.

To access the Safety Data Sheets you will need to register an account on the site.

If you have already registered input your username and password, if you are yet to register please complete the registration for and log in details will be sent to you.

Once you are logged in select the languages / country from the list of those currently available.

If the SDS you require is not currently listed for the country required, please complete the request form. We will forward an SDS as soon as possible for the requested country.