Engineers use ultrasound to improve the performance of household oils

Experts at the University of Sheffield have developed a test procedure to measure the performance of everyday household oils, such as WD-40 Multi-Use Product, which has many applications including loosening rusty bolts and removing dirt and heavy soiling from surfaces.

The innovative technique, developed by researchers from the University of Leonardo Centre for Tribology, uses ultrasound technology to gauge performance of penetrating oils.

The technology, which is also used, when examining babies in the womb, allows engineers to measure and monitor the interfaces between components, such as the penetrating oils and the threads on bolts.

The pulse of ultrasound passes through the bolted joint and is reflected by the interface of the threads, whilst the rest is transmitted into the oil.

In doing this, engineers can gain a better understanding of how the oils work and, in turn, improve the lubricant in consideration to speeding up the process.

This revolutionary technique has been embraced by scientists from WD-40 Company, who are now working closely with the research engineers to develop additional products, as extension opportunities under the WD-40 brand, which has been a popular household name and DIY staple since the 1950s.

Prior to this ground breaking work, there was no robust or non-destructive way to study the rate at which penetrating oils moved along threaded fasteners such as bolts.

Professor Rob Dwyer-Joyce, head of the Leonardo Centre for Tribology at the University of Sheffield said: “We can now give an insight into the performance of penetrating oils such as WD-40 Multi-Use Product. This means improvements can be made to yield products, that penetrate faster and release rusted bolts more effectively. This in turn will allow WD-40 Company to develop higher performance products for their users with more specialised needs.

“Ultrasound measurement can be used on anything lubricated such as artificial hip joints, piston rings, seals and bearings."

Additional information The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sheffield - the 2011 Times Higher Education’s University of the Year - is one of the largest in the UK. Its seven departments include over 4,000 students and 900 staff and have research-related income worth more than £50M per annum from government, industry and charity sources. The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) confirmed that two thirds of the research carried out was either Internationally Excellent or Internationally Leading.



The Faculty of Engineering has a long tradition of working with industry including Rolls-Royce, Network Rail and Siemens. Its industrial successes are exemplified by the award-winning Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and the new £25 million Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (NAMRC).



The Faculty of Engineering is set to ensure students continue to benefit from world-class labs and teaching space through the provision of the University's new Engineering Graduate School. This brand new building, which will become the centre of the faculty´s postgraduate research and postgraduate teaching activities, will be sited on the corner of Broad Lane and Newcastle Street. It will form the first stage in a 15 year plan to improve and extend the existing estate in a bid to provide students with the best possible facilities while improving their student experience.



To find out more about the Faculty of Engineering, visit Engineering