Fluids analysis

techniques
 Fluids analysis techniques

• Principle :
• Lubricants are like the blood of the material or the
component.
It is in contact with the mechanical parts of a circuit and
contains numerous information that can be explored :
• The physico chemical caracteristics
• Debris from mechanical wear
• Impureties
• Contamination
• A representative part of lubricant is sampled and
analysed in the laboratory.

• A « doctor » interprets the analysis results and

defines the « prescription » for this component.
 Fluids analysis techniques

• On all types of lubricated material

• Diesel, gas engines
• Turbines
• Reduction gears, gear box, rear axles…
• Compressors (Air, cool air, gas , ..)
• Bearings, …
• Hydraulic
• Transformers
• On all types of industrial fluids
• Oil
• Grease
• Fuel
• Coolant
• Dielectric fluid
 Fluids analysis techniques

Possible faults detection :

• Engine
• Filtration or air admission Problem
• Cooling liquids leakage
• Faults in the setting of the injection system
• Mechanical wear
•…
• Gearing, complex mechanisms
• Mechanical wear of plain bearing, roller bearing, gears,
external components…
• Deterioration of lubricants
• Contamination
• loss of additives
• ...
 Fluids analysis techniques

Analysis purposes :
• Check the physico-chemical properties of lubricants
• Viscosity
• T.A.N.
• T.B.N.
• Flash point
• Demulsification
• Air release
• Foaming
• IR spectrometry
•…

• Check internal and external contamination

• Water content
• Gravimetry
• Particles counter

• Wear monitoring
• Spectrometry
• Ferrometry
• Particles quantifier
• ...
 Kinematic viscosity (NF EN ISO 3104)

Engine Oil Industrial Oil

The viscosity • Lubricant oxydation • Lubricant oxydation
increases • Contamination by due to thermal effect
soot • Contamination of
• Evaporation of light lubricant charge
fractions

The viscosity Dilution by fuel caused • Mechanical shear of

decreases by fuel injection system molecules chains
faults or intermittent
driving (stop and go –
short journeys).
 Spot examples

Gasoline engine (or gas)

Important presence of working properly
coolant liquid in the
lubricant. (Coloration is slightly yellow
for gas engine)

Dirty gasoline engine Diesel engine sooted

(Dispersive properties
remain good).
Injection is fine but service
time may be too long .

Oil highly sooted (bad diesel

combustion or service time
too long).
Diesel engine (halo around
the main spot may indicates
a recent top up.

Diesel engine with high fuel

dilution.
Very bad oil dispersivity.

Diesel engine highly sooted

with fuel dilution.
Normal spot for diesel Injection is not fine and or
engine working properly service time is too long
 Lubricants acidity

Acidity is caused by :
• Lubricants oxydation
• Engine combustion (sulphur in TAN
fuel or nitrogen in Gas) (Total Acid Number)
• some additives (DTPZ)
 Alkalinity

Alkalinity is necessary to neutralize

acids formed during service.

When a crankcase lubricant is TBN

formulated, reserves of alkalinity are
in-built. (Total Base Number)
• detergent additive
• dispersant additive
TAN – TBN – Normal trends

TAN

TBN
 Gravimetric analysis

Method to identify the contaminants (pollution) in the lubricant.

Principle :
The sample is filtered
through a 0.8 to 5 micron
filter.

Metallic particles, dust and

fibres are collected on this
filter.

The weight of the debris can

than be quantified.
(mg/100g of given lubricant)
Gravimetry - Example
 ICP Spectrometry - Engine

Main list of elements usually found and measured

Elements symbole

ALUMINIUM Al
ANTIMONY Sb
SILVER Ag
BARYUM Ba
BORON B
CALCIUM Ca
CHROMIUM Cr
POLLUTION
COBALT Co
COPPER Cu
TIN Sn
IRON Fe
LITHIUM Li
MAGNESIUM Mg
MANGANESE Mn TOP ENGINE WEAR
MOLYBDENUM Mo
NICKEL Ni
PHOSPHORUS P
LEAD Pb
BOTTOM ENGINE WEAR
POTASSIUM K
SCANDIUM Sc
SILICIUM Si
SODIUM Na OIL
SULPHER S
TITANIUM Ti
TUNGSTEN W
VANADIUM V
ZINC Zn
 ICP Spectrometry – Gear Box

Main list of elements usually found and measured

Elements symbole

ALUMINIUM Al
Internal External
ANTIMONY Sb
pollution pollution
SILVER Ag Pb - Si Ca - Si Fe - Cr
BARYUM Ba
BORON B
CALCIUM Ca
CHROMIUM Cr
COBALT Co
COPPER Cu
TIN Sn
IRON Fe
LITHIUM Li
MAGNESIUM Mg
MANGANESE Mn
MOLYBDENUM Mo
NICKEL Ni
PHOSPHORUS P
LEAD Pb
POTASSIUM K
SCANDIUM Sc
SILICIUM Si
SODIUM Na Roller Bearing
Ni – Cr – Cu – Zn - Sn
SULPHER S
TITANIUM Ti
Plain Bearing Oil Grease
TUNGSTEN W Al – Sn – Sb – Cu - Pb Ba – B – Ca – Mg Al – Ba – B – Ca - Mg
VANADIUM V P – S – Zn - Mo P – S – Zn – Mo - Si
ZINC Zn
 Wear particule index

Principle : To measure the deviation of a magnetic field, already

know and stable, caused by the presence of iron particules and its
derivatives contained in the sample of used oil.
The result is an indication whether or not there are big magnetized
particules in the given sample. (either iron or nickel type)
Sampling
 SAMPLING

Purpose : Obtain a representative sample

If representative = Reliable Results
If NOT representative = NO Reliable Results
The basic rules:
• Where ? Allways use the same sampling point.
• Middle of the crank case (by the gauge for example)
• Avoid, if possible, the lower part as the drain hole.
• If not, always drain the part of volume no representative (for
example, sample at the middle of the oil change)
• When ? Frequency of sampling should respect a schedule.
• ASAP after stop, Oil warm, and after a normal use (under
stress) of the equipment.
• How ? The sampling method must be strictly followed
• by succion or by pressure on the circuit point (always use the
sampling equipement provided or agreed on)
 Sampling

Essential Information needed for each sample

• Fleet N° + Type of component (+ location if necessary)

• Sampling date
• Hours ou Km of Oil
• Hours ou Km of Component
• Precise denomination of oil used with the grade
• Volume of top up since the last sample
• Intermediate sample or change sample

To make it simple, Enter your sample on

our Web Site www.iespm.com
And just report a number of the bottle.
Sampling – Label