What is the term used when wax separates from lubricating oil?

The correct term for when wax separates from lubricating oil is "floc point." This phenomenon occurs when the temperature of the oil is lowered to a point where wax crystals begin to form and aggregate, leading to the separation of the wax from the liquid oil. The floc point is important in the context of lubricants because it indicates the lowest temperature at which the oil maintains its effective lubricating properties. If the temperature goes below the floc point, the oil may no longer flow properly due to the presence of solidified wax, which can impair the lubrication process in machinery.

In contrast, the pouring point refers to the lowest temperature at which the oil can still flow, and the cloud point is the temperature at which wax starts to appear in the form of visible cloudiness in the oil. The melting point denotes the temperature at which solid wax transitions into a liquid phase, but it does not specifically relate to the separation of wax from oil. Understanding these terms and their distinctions is crucial for ensuring proper lubrication under varying temperatures in refrigeration systems and other industrial applications.