Book excerpt: While it is mostly "behind the scenes," lubrication is used wherever you look--in all types of machines, vehicles, and aircrafts. Its usefulness is everywhere, in every industry, from all types of manufacturing, power, health, petrochemicals, food, paper, and metallurgy to small industries and agriculture. Lubrication is absolutely essential to the world. There is an undeniable link between maintenance strategy and lubrication reliability. Depending on the industry, maintenance costs can represent between 15-60% of the cost of goods produced. Therefore, the reliability of plant and equipment has a significant impact on the profits of any organization. Unfortunately, most problems related to machinery in plants are lubrication-related. To get maximum benefit from advanced maintenance strategies, an understanding of equipment lubrication is a must. That's why this work is invaluable. Machinery Lubrication and Reliability contains everything a maintenance, plant, or industrial professional needs to know about lubrication theory, with vital information on all the critical equipment lubrication requirements. It illustrates how to improve reliability, maximize equipment life, eliminate unscheduled shut downs, and reduce operating costs. Rounding out this amazing package are questions and answers for those looking to obtain their ICML certifications. An affiliated web site (www.machinerylubricationreliability.com) contains additional questions for exam takers looking for extra practice. Features The only book that covers all the topics for the ICML certification course. Includes the industry standard API-614 throughout. Contains practice questions for the ICML exam at the end of each chapter, along with additional ones on the affiliated website.