LUBE OIL ANALYSIS
THE BENEFIT OF LUBE OIL ANALYSIS
An oil analysis program helps to routinely keep a health check on the condition of the machines and lubes. Oil analysis is a primary strategy in preventive maintenance by measuring variations in the chemistry of the lube and monitoring for wear and contamination.
The change in chemistry helps determine Remaining Useful Life (RUL), additive condition and need for additive top ups, changes in viscosity which may decrease the efficacy of the lubricating property of the lubricant, presence of water in the lubricant which also decreases the lubrication efficacy etc. The nature and geometry of wear particles found in the lube oil help give an idea about the mechanical wear, type of corrosion, abnormal wear & root cause for wear leading to potential failure modes. By detecting the presence and concentration of contaminants, leaks can be identified along with broken seals. Hence, analyzing in-service lubricants is crucial in extending the machine’s life and service intervals. This helps in asset protection and is a critical part of preventive maintenance.
THE V-TIC DIFFERENCE
Our broader scope for testing puts us ahead of our competitors. V-TIC has continuously proved to test more parameters that reflect the machine’s actual condition and health. Our expert recommendations come from engineers with decades of experience who not only indicate the potential problems but also advise on necessary solutions. Our tests include but are not limited to;
- Basic Physical Properties
- Water Contamination
- FT-IR
- Metals using ICP
- Ferrographic Analysis
- Particle Count
- PQ Index
WHY TEST NEW LUBE OILS?
Freshly formulated lube oils with the necessary base oils and corresponding additives have to be tested by both the manufacturer and supplier to make sure that the New lube oil is fit for use. Lube oil manufacturers and blenders require their oil to be analyzed in order to ensure alignment with the expected product from the manufacturing process.
While on the buyer side, it can help eliminate a variety of concerns such as;
- Ensuring the lubricant received is the lubricant ordered
- Formulation error
- Cross-Contamination
- Mislabeling
Why V-TIC FOR New Lube Oil?
V-TIC’s diverse lineup of tests highlights the unique value of V-TIC Services. The testing is to not only identify the presence of any contaminants or cross contamination but also the performance of the base oils and additives that have been blended. Our complete analysis helps avoid unplanned downtime, breakdowns and maximize on energy efficiency by analyzing;
EXTREME PRESSURE CHARACTERISTICS
WEAR CHARACTERISTICS
FRICTIONAL PROPERTIES
LONG TERM STORAGE
WHY TEST GREASE?
Grease analysis plays a crucial part in the predictive maintenance of rolling elements. It is known to cater to about 80-90% of the bearings used and has the ability to identify critical wear in machinery. The consistency of the grease plays a major role on the load conditions of the machinery system and may pave the way for accelerated wear conditions.
Like lube oils, greases have their own lineup of tests to benchmark their quality. We at V-TIC have clearly identified these tests based on our team’s rich experiences with numerous Root Cause Failure Analyses and a plethora of in-house case studies. A grease sample which is effective and is representative of the actual condition of both the grease and the bearing is crucial for a decisive analysis and this is why our team of experts assist with this process. With V-TIC it is possible to measure various properties of grease such as;
- Corrosion Properties
- Dropping Point
- Evaporation Loss
- Compatibility
- Oxidation Stability
- Wear properties