Book excerpt: In industry, owners, engineers and workers have struggled with lubricant degradation and its effects on their equipment. The purpose of Lubrication Degradation Mechanisms: A Complete Guide is to help personnel to understand the reasons behind the degradation of their lubricant, determine methods to identify the onset of degradation and reduce or eliminate lubricant degradation within their equipment. One of the most common forms of lubricant degradation is oxidation. However, this is not the only method by which a lubricant degrades. By understanding the differences between degradation patterns, personnel can employ specific tasks / tests to aid in their identification of the type of degradation and the factors responsible. The aim of this book is to educate facility personnel on the methods of degradation and ways in which it can be reduced or eliminated while keeping an eye on the cost of operation.