Oilers/Plant Tenders (HHC) Civil Service Practice Exam

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Of the following oils, which is generally considered useless as a lubricant?

  1. Mineral oil

  2. Vegetable oil

  3. Linseed oil

  4. Petroleum oil

The correct answer is: Linseed oil

Linseed oil is generally considered less effective as a lubricant compared to the other oils listed in the options. While linseed oil can have some uses in specific applications, such as in drying oils for paints, it does not perform well as a general lubricant in machinery or high-stress conditions due to its natural viscosity and rapid drying properties. Mineral oil, vegetable oil, and petroleum oil are recognized for their more effective lubricating properties. Mineral oil is often used due to its stable composition and low reactivity, petroleum oil is valued for its wide availability and ability to maintain viscosity under varying temperatures, and vegetable oil can also provide lubrication, albeit it may have limitations in performance compared to synthetic and mineral oils. Therefore, while linseed oil has its applications, it lacks the consistency and performance required for effective lubrication in mechanical settings.