The International Council for Machinery Lubrication is pleased to announce that the exam for Level II Machinery Lubrication Technician (MLT II) is now available.
Why Certify
The purpose of this certification is to verify that technicians practicing in the field of machinery lubrication, as it is applied to machinery condition monitoring and maintenance, are qualified to perform the following tasks:
Manage selection, application and periodic consolidation of lubrication oils and grease lubricants, appropriate for machines commonly found in industrial settings. This should include regreasing intervals and volume, with consideration of environmental, health and safety issues.
Design and manage a route for machinery relubrication and/or inspection.
Create and manage lubrication PMs.
Manage change and/or top-off oil in mechanical equipment found in common industrial sites.
Manage lubricant delivery, storage and dispensation, storage room design and storage time calculation, considering environmental, health and safety issues.
Manage lubricant testing and quality assurance, employing proper sampling procedures to ensure representative oil samples are taken consistently.
Employ and interpret advanced oil analysis techniques and results to identify and troubleshoot lubricant degradation and/or abnormal conditions, and recommend cost-effective corrective action(s).
Manage proper maintenance of lubrication equipment.
Common job titles for the individual who would become Level II MLT-certified include lubrication technician or specialist, PM technician or specialist, machinery reliability technician or specialist, etc. Generally, this individual has regular contact with plant machinery operators, mechanics and engineering and has significant influence over the selection, troubleshooting and monitoring of the lubricants and hydraulic fluids in use. The individual is likely to be directly involved in all aspects of the machinery lubrication process.
To become certified MLT II, practitioners must first become certified as a level I Machinery Lubrication Technician and meet a combination of education/experience, training and examination requirements. Candidates for MLT II certification must hold a valid ICML MLT I certificate, have at least three years education (post-secondary) or on-the-job training in one or more of the following fields: machine lubrication, engineering, mechanical maintenance and/or maintenance trades and must have received at least 32 hours of documented formal training in machinery lubrication.
Body of Knowledge
The MLT II examination covers the following body of knowledge:
I. Maintenance Strategy (5%)
A. The impact of lubrication on machine reliability
B. The impact of lubrication on lubricant life and consumption
C. Maintenance program strategies for achieving lubrication excellence
II. Lubrication Theory (10%)
A. Friction and tribology
B. Lubricant categories
III. Lubricant Formulation (10%)
A. Base-oil refining methods and API categories
B. Mineral base oils
C. Vegetable base oils and biolubes
D. Synthetic lubricant characteristics/ applications/ compatibility
E. Food-grade lubricant classification
F. Types and functions of additives
G. Types and functions of solid additives
H. Modes of additive depletion
IV. Grease Application and Performance (5%)
A. Grease applications requiring high consistency
B. Grease applications requiring low consistency
C. Causes of grease separation
D. Multipurpose greases
E. Performance and application of specific grease thickeners
F. High-temperature greases
G. Coupling greases
V. Lubricant Selection (15%)
A. Viscosity selection/adjustments according to machinery condition/environmental conditions
B. When to use synthetic lubricants
C. When to use biodegradable lubricants
D. Lubricant consolidation
E. Select lubricating oils for numerous applications
F. Selecting greases for numerous applications
G. Lubricant selection standards development
H. Procedures for testing and quality assurance of incoming lubricants
I. Procedures for approval of candidate lubricants
VI. Lubricant Testing and Performance Analysis (10%)
A. Viscosity
B. Flash/fire point
C. Pour ASTM D97/Cloud point ASTM D2500
D. Foam ASTM D892
E. Air release properties ASTM D3247-99
F. Neutralization number
G. Filterability ISO 13357
H. Oxidation stability
I. Rust and corrosion tests
J. Antiwear tests
K. Extreme pressure
L. Demulsibility ASTM D1404
M. Grease consistency ASTM D217
N. Dropping point of grease ASTM D2265
O. Mechanical stability of greases ASTM D217A
P. Rolling stability of greases ASTM D1831
Q. Water washout test for greases ASTM D1264
R. Water spray test for greases ASTM D4049
S. Rolling bearing rust test ASTM D1743
T. Koppers centrifugal stability test
U. Oil separation in grease storage ASTM D1742
V. Oxidation stability - greases ASTM D942
VII. Lubricant Application (15%)
A. Procedures
B. Determine/calculate correct amount for regreasing
C. Determine/calculate correct frequency interval for regreasing
D. Select and manage optimum equipment/systems for lubricant application according to machinery requirements
E. Safety/health requirements for lubricant application
F. Manage proper maintenance of lubrication equipment
G. Manage proper maintenance of automatic lubrication systems
H. Create/update lube survey
I. Record execution of lube program
J. Proactive management and detection of leaks
K. Waste oil/filters management/ disposal
L. Writing a lubrication PM
VIII. Preventive and Predictive Maintenance (10%)
A. Lubricant receiving procedures
B. Proper storage and inventory management
C. Lube storage containers
D. Proper storage of grease guns and other lube application devices
E. Maintenance of automatic grease systems
F. Health and safety assurance
A. Creating and managing lube PMs and routes
B. Creating and manage lubrication inspection checklist
C. Used oil analysis to determine optimum condition-based oil changes
D. Used oil analysis to troubleshoot abnormal lubricant degradation conditions
E. Used oil analysis to troubleshoot abnormal wear related to lubricant degradation/contamination
F. Procedures and methods for identifying root cause of lubricant failure
G. Use of technology aids to determine optimum regrease frequency/ quantity (ultrasonic, temperature monitoring, shock impulse, etc.)
IX. Lubricant Condition Control (20%)
A. Proper sampling procedures
B. Proper sampling locations
C. Proper selection of breathers/vents
D. Proper selection of filters according to cleanliness objectives
E. Filter rating - beta ratio
F. Sump/tank management to reduce foam, particles, water, etc.
G. Proper selection of reconditioning systems for water, air, gas, etc.
H. Lube reclamation
X. Lube Storage and Management (5%)
A. Design optimum storage room
B. Defining maximum storage time according to environmental conditions/lubricant type
C. Safety/health requirements
D. Proper sampling procedures/locations for sampling stored lubricants
E. Procedures for reconditioning/ filtering stored lubricants
Take the Test
To apply for an MLT II exam, please go by www.lubecouncil.org and check out the locations/dates link. If you need a local exam coordinated in your area, please contact ICML at (918) 259-2950.