Lubrication Oils Analysis

Lubrication Oils Analysis

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is emerging as a pivotal tool for routinely tracking the by-products of degradation, impurities, and additive concentrations in spent lubrication oils. With the affordability of contemporary Fourier transform (FTIR) setups, combined with their capacity to swiftly yield high-caliber data, this approach is becoming a favored choice for regular analysis tasks. As the demand rises for speedy analysis results and for the recurrent scrutiny of in-use lubricants, spectroscopic methods, especially FTIR, are progressively supplanting the more labor-intensive and elongated traditional wet chemical and physical examination methods. Signifying the expanding use of FTIR spectroscopy in this arena, the ASTM has recently introduced a fresh standard practice E2412, termed: “Condition Monitoring of Used Lubricants by Trend Analysis Using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrometry.”

Potential parameters for examination include:

• Water Content
• Soot Levels
• Oxidation Rates
• Nitration Levels
• Sulfation Presence
• Ethylene Glycol Concentration
• Additive Amounts
• Fuel Residues