FLUID TESTS Predict

Test	Test Description	Purpose of Test
Machine Specific Analysis	Results from the following tests are reviewed by your Machine Condition Analyst and recommendations for your equipment is given with supporting data on each report.	Both Lubricant Condition & Equipment Condition are analyzed based on specific characteristics of your equipment, previous component performance, and test data.
Direct Reading Ferrograph	The DR unit separates wear debris from the lubricant according to size. A sample is pumped across a high-gradient magnetic field at a slow rate. The ferrous particles are attracted to the magnetic field and deposited in two locations depending upon the amount of attraction. There are two size ranges: Density Large (DL) and Density Small (DS). The DL represents particles >5 mm and DS represents particles <5 mm. The results are an optical density equivalent and not a particle count.	The WPC, summation of DL and DS, provides a trendable quantity for monitoring the wear condition of a piece of equipment. Fluctuations in the WPC suggest an abnormal condition in the component or possible contamination.
Analytical Ferrography	Particles are separated from the lubricant sample by magnets and gravity, allowing for the examination of the individual particles present in the sample. Debris is examined microscopically at magnifications between 100x and 1000x. Particles’ size, shape, composition, and concentration can be determined.	By identifying the size, shape, composition, and concentration of the abnormal wear particles, the wear mechanism and its possible origin can be determined. Solid contaminants can also be identified. Equipment and component metallurgical information aids the analyst in determining the root cause for the formation of these particles.
Elemental Analysis ASTM D6595	Elemental analysis is performed in accordance with atomic emission spectroscopy (AES). A specific volume of lubricant is energized using an electrical arc. The light frequencies and intensities are measured and reported in parts per million of various elements.	Elemental analysis is useful for identifying contamination, confirming additive content, and indicating system wear. The following elements are analyzed: Fe, Cr, Al, Pb, Sn, Cu, Ag, Ni, Na, V, Cd, Ti, Mo, Ca, Ba, P, Zn, B, K, Mg, and Si..
Particle Count ISO 4406	As particles in the oil flow pass a laser, the laser light is blocked allowing individual particles to be counted and sized. The resulting data is a distribution of the concentration of particles in various size ranges.	Since all contaminants in the oil are counted as particles, the particle count includes wear particles, soot, dirt, and other contaminates. This test provides information on lubricant cleanliness.
Water by Karl Fischer ASTM D6304	This test produces iodine when electricity is conducted across a mesh screen. The electrical current needed to create iodine and remove existing water is measured and converted to parts per million (ppm).	Quantification of water contamination - water in a lubricant not only promotes corrosion and oxidation, but also may form an emulsion having the appearance of a soft sludge.
Total Acid Number ASTM D664	TAN is determined by titration of a known substance, such as KOH in order to determine an unknown quantity. Weighed samples are titrated using an automatic titration system.	TAN of a used lubricant is one measure of its degree of degradation by oxidation.
Total Base Number ASTM D4739	TBN is determined by titration of a known substance, such as HCl, in order to determine an unknown quantity. Weighed samples are titrated using an automatic titration system.	TBN of a used lubricant is a measurement of its ability to neutralize the acid using basic buffers.
FT-IR Infrared Analysis ASTM E2412	The infrared absorption spectrum of a lubricant furnishes a means of fingerprinting organic compounds and functional groups. Test results are trended and quantitative and qualitative determinations can be made.	Infrared analysis is often used for identifying additives and their concentrations, reaction products, and contamination by organic materials in used lubricants. Oxidation (carboxylic acids and esters), nitrate esters, water, soot, and glycol can be quantified.
Crackle	Eye Dropper test of lubricant on a hot plate heated to 100° C to determine presence of water. Detection can be made of water concentration > 800 ppm.	This screening test is used by the analysts to check for water contamination and determination of whether more sensitive testing is required to determine more exact concentration.
Viscosity Kinematic/Oil Bath ASTM D445/446	ASTM test uses a constant temperature bath. The efflux time is measured between two points. The viscosity is computed by using a calibration constant and the efflux time. Viscosity is reported in centistokes (cSt) at 40ºC or 100ºC.	Viscosity is the single most important property of a lubricant. A reduction usually indicates that the system has been contaminated with a solvent or refrigerant fluid. A significant increase normally is traced to mixture with a high viscosity product, contamination, or oil oxidation. Normal measurement range for 40ºC is +30% and -20% and for 100ºC is +20% and -10%.
Fuel Dilution of Diesel Lubricants ASTM D3524 Gas Chromatograph	The sample is mixed with a specific amount of an internal standard. One microliter of the mixture is injected into a 10 meter HP-1 WCOT capillary column, heated at a specified rate, detected via a Flame Ionizing Detector, and the results (in percentages/peak area) are displayed in a report generated from the computer software.	Some fuel dilution of the engine oil may take place during normal operation. However, excessive fuel dilution (> 5%) is of concern in terms of possible performance problems. Immediate effects of high fuel dilution are decreased lubricant viscosity resulting in increased wear.

Test	Test Description	Purpose of Test
Flash Point ASTM D92	The lubricant sample temperature is raised at a constant rate as the flash point is approached. At specified intervals, a small test flame is passed across the cup containing the sample. The lowest temperature at which application of the test flame causes the vapors above the surface of the liquid to ignite is taken as the flash point.	Flash Point indicates the presence of highly volatile and flammable materials in a relatively nonvolatile or nonflammable material. Example: an abnormally low flash point on a test specimen of engine oil can indicate fuel contamination.
Rotating Pressure Vessel Oxidation Test ASTM D2272	The test oil, water, and a copper catalyst coil contained in a covered glass container, are placed in a bomb equipped with a pressure gage. The bomb is charged with oxygen to a pressure of 620 kPa, placed in a constant-temperature oil bath set at 150°C, and rotated axially at 100 rpm at an angle of 30° from the horizontal. The number of minutes required to reach a specific drop in gage pressure is the oxidation stability of the test sample.	Test is used to assess the remaining oxidation test life of in-service oils.
Wilk Soot Meter	A sample is pipetted onto the surface of the Wilks Soot Meter crystal and ran. The result is recorded on the screen.	This test measures the concentration of soot in diesel engine lubricants caused by incomplete fuel combustion.
Demulsibility ASTM D1401	40ml of sample and 40 ml of distilled water are stirred for 5 min. at 54°C in a graduated cylinder. The time required for the separation of the emulsion thus formed is recorded or volumes of water, oil, and emulsion remaining after 30 minutes.	Test provides a guide for determining the water separation characteristics of oils subject to water contamination and turbulence.
% Sulfur ASTM D4294	A petroleum sample is placed in the beam emitted from an X-ray source. The resultant excited characteristic X radiation is measured, and the accumulated count is compared with counts from previously prepared calibration samples to obtain the sulfur concentration in mass %.	The degree of sulfur concentrations in a petroleum product may be used to qualify the product’s processing characteristics or compliance with environmental regulations.
Foam Test ASTM D892 Sequence I, II, III	A defined volume of air is forced through a set volume of sample lubricant at a specified temperature. The resulting volume of foam is measured.	Determination of the foaming characteristics of lubricating oils at specified temperatures. Means of empirically rating the foam tendency and the stability of the foam.
Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease ASTM D217	A measured amount of grease sample is placed under a cone apparatus. The cone is attached to a gauge that measures from 85-475. The cone is dropped into the grease sample from a specified height and time. The measured amount that the cone penetrates into the grease is dropping point.	This test measures the consistency of grease. Harder grease will have a low NLGI rating number such as 00 or 1. Most industrial greases penetrate in the 265-295 ranges and have a NLGI rating of 2.
Dropping Point of Lubricating Greases ASTM D566	A grease sample is heated in the dropping point apparatus. The point where the grease starts separating and the oil drops out of the apparatus is the dropping point. The temperature is measured in degrees Celsius.	This test is a determination of the maximum operating temperature of grease.
% Sediment in Lubricating Oils	An oil sample is well shaken and dissolved in a solvent at a 1:1 ratio. The solvent: oil mixture is well shaken and 100mls of sample is poured into two centrifuge tubes. The tubes are placed in the centrifuge at opposite ends and spun for 30 minutes. The sediment collected on the bottom is calculated and multiplied by two to give the total percentage of sediment in the oil.	This test is an excellent determination of sediments suspended in lubricating oil. Excessive amounts of sediments can impede oil capability and can clog filters.
Power Factor of Insulating Oils ASTM D924	An insulating oil sample is placed into a test cell. The test cell is placed into a forced draft oven at a temperature of 100C and the cell is attached to an alternating electric field via three electrodes. A voltage stress of 200-1200 V/mm is placed across the insulating oil. The Power Factor is calculated from the dielectric losses and the heat energy generated.	This is a measure of the dielectric losses in an electrical insulating liquid when used in an alternating electric field and of the energy dissipated as heat. A low dissipation factor or power factor indicates low a-c dielectric losses.
Dielectric Strength of Insulating Oils ASTM D877	This test determines the voltage breakdown of insulating oils in which any insoluble breakdown products easily settle. These tests are run 5 times in one-minute intervals on a single oil sample.	This test method is used to judge if the disk electrode breakdown voltage requirements are met for insulating liquids. These disks have never been dried or filtered.
Interfacial Tension of Insulating Oils ASTM D2285	The Interfacial Tension of insulating oil is tested in comparison to the Interfacial Tension of distilled water droplet formed in the oil. A larger water drop means a higher interfacial tension.	This test indicates the presence of hydrophilic contaminants, oxidation, and/or deterioration of the insulating oil.
Specific Gravity ASTM D1298	This test uses a glass hydrometer to measure the specific gravity of a lubricant. All measurements are standardized to 60 º F.	This test makes it easy to convert volumes to weights. All compounds have a trendable specific gravity and contamination can be detected if the volumes are too high or too low.
Cloud Point ASTM D97	The sample is cooled at a specified rate and examined periodically. The temperature at which a cloud is first observed at the bottom of the test jar is recorded as the cloud point.	This is a measure of a fuel’s tendency to form waxes at low temperatures. Cloud point is the temperature at which wax crystals begin to form. The is the lowest temperature at which the lube or fuel will still pour.
Pour Point ASTM D2500	After preliminary heating, the sample is cooled at a specified rate and examined at intervals of 3º C for flow characteristics. The lowest temperature at which movement of the specimen is observed is recorded as the pour point.	This is a measure of a petroleum product’s tendency to form waxes at low temperatures. . The is the lowest temperature at which the lube or fuel will still pour.
Distilation / Cetane Index ASTM D86 ASTM D4737	100ml of the fuel or lubricant is poured into a graduated cylinder and then transferred to a distillation flask. The distillation flask is placed on the automated distillation unit and the process is started. The distillation unit records the initial boiling point, percent fractions, the final boiling point, and the percent recovery of the fluid in question.	This test provides the fuel’s boiling point temperatures and cetane number. The cetane number is a measure of the ignition quality of diesel fuel. The higher the index, the better the ignition quality. The minimum limit for a #2 diesel fuel is an index of 40.
Myron L. Meter	A cooling water is poured into a densitometer and the concentration of solids is measured in ranges from 0 to 10,000.	This test provides information regarding the contamination and corrosive properties of the cooling water in a diesel engine.