Oil Sample Analysis

Oil analysis has been used successfully to determine the internal condition of machinery since the 1940s.

Oil analysis is not witchcraft; Test procedures are established and reviewed by such agencies as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE): Oil analysis is a proven diagnostic tool.

Engines and machinery are built from several different metals; including iron, aluminium, copper, chromium, silver, magnesium, molybdenum, tin, vanadium, zinc, boron, nickel, and lead. These metals are used in different components of engines and machinery.

OIL ANALYSIS CAN SHOW UP TO 20+ ELEMENTS-

Wear Metals such as:

Iron (Fe): Gears, shafts, cylinder walls, rings.

Copper (Cu): Bearings, oil coolers, bronze/ brass parts.

Aluminium (Al): Pistons, pumps, bearings, valves.

Lead (Pb): Babbitt bearings, solder.

Tin (Sn): Bearings, anti-wear coatings.

Chromium (Cr): Bearings, hydraulic rams, plating.

Contaminants such as:

Silicon (Si): Dirt, dust, sealers, anti-foam.

Water (H2O): Coolant leaks, condensation.

Fuel (hydrocarbons): Incomplete combustion.

Soot: Diesel engine combustion byproducts.

Potassium (K), Sodium (Na): Antifreeze/ coolant leaks.

Additives (Chemicals blended into the oil) such as:

Zinc (Zn), Phosphorous (P), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (MG): Detergents, dispersants, alkalinity.

Fluid Properties and Condition:

Viscosity: Oil thickness (affected by heat, shear, dilution).

Oxidation/ Nitration: Oil breakdown from heat/ combustion.

Total Acid Number (TAN): Measures acidity.

Insolubles: Solid particles like soot or dirt.

By analysing what metals, contaminants, additives, and apparent fluid properties and condition are present in a properly obtained sample of oil, a competent lab can determine if anything is wearing excessively and why.

The specific characteristics of oil can often be determined by laboratory analysis. Element contamination can usually be quantified.

Physical and spectrochemical analysis of properly obtained oil samples can provide information that could otherwise only be determined by completely disassembling the machinery.

Oil Sample Analysis can go a long way towards minimising surprises later!

Bill Potter has the proven system in place to accurately sample, analyze and interpret oil samples, Guaranteed!

There's more to lubrication than simply reducing friction.

A balanced formula is required for optimum performance in all areas of lubrication.

An oil's primary function is reducing friction. It does this by creating a film between surfaces to prevent contact, thereby reducing friction. However, lubricants are frequently needed ot do more than just provide a slippery film between moving surfaces in contact.

They are tasked to carry out several other functions, some of which might not immediately spring to mind when you think about engine oils or other lubricants.

Here are six not-so-obvious lubricant functions:

Transfer Energy-

Because fluid lubricants are not readily compressible, they can act as an energy-transfer medium, such as in hydraulic equipment, transmissions, engine valve lifters, etc.

Clean-

Lubricants maintain internal cleanliness by suspending contaminants within the fluid or by preventing the contaminants from adhering to components. Base oils possess a varying degree of solvency that assists in maintaining internal cleanliness. Solvency is the ability of a fluid to dissolve a solid, liquid, or gas. While the solvency of the oil is important for maintaining cleanliness, detergents and dispersants play a key roll. Detergents are additives that prevent contaminants from adhering to components, especially hot components such as piston, or piston rings. Dispersants are additives that keep contaminants suspended in the fluid. Dispersants act as a solvent, helping the oil maintain cleanliness and prevent sludge formation.

Cool-

Lubricants are used to cool the parts of a component or machine while in operation- like a fan or air conditioner is used to cool the inside of a house. Reducing friction minimizes heat in moving parts, which lowers the overall operating temperature of the equipment. Lubricants also absorb heat from contact surface areas and transport it to a location to be safely dispersed, such as the oil sump. Heat transfer ability tends to be a trait of the base oil's thickness- Lighter oils tend to transfer oils more readily.

Seal-Out Contaminants-

Lubricants are used to seal components from outside contamination, like windows in a house or automobile. They can act as a dynamic seal in locations such as piston rings, and cylinder contact areas to prevent contamination.

Dampen Shock-

A lubricant can cushion the blow of mechanical shock, just like a shock absorber in a car dampens road vibrations and imperfections. A highly functional lubricant film can resist rupture and absorb and disperse these energy spikes over a broad contact area. When the mechanical shock to components is dampened, wear and damaging forces are minimized, extending the component's overall life.

Protect Against Corrosion-

A lubricant must have the ability to prevent or minimize internal component corrosion. Lubricants accomplish this either by chemically neutralizing corrosive products, or by establishing a barrier between the components and the corrosive material.

Superior Protection & Performance-

The important takeaway here is that lubricant quality is not about excelling in one performance area; rather, its about the entire set of performance properties.

The quality of oil used is critical to machinery performance and durability.