HOW TO USE OIL ANALYSIS EFFECTIVELY
Used oil analysis is very effective when used as part of your maintenance management 
program.  However, never rely on oil analysis test results alone when making maintenance 
decisions.

Obtain information form all sources before making your final maintenance decision.  Typical 
sources of information to consider are:

. Diagnostic Test Information
. Operation Conditions/Environment
. Visual Inspection
. Lubricant Suppliers
. Evaluation of  impact of recent maintenance repair
. Equipment Manufacturer
. Equipment Maintenance History
. Compare Current Sample Results with Previous Samples
. Age of Equipment

Oil analysis is a reliable and effective maintenance management tool and the information 
provided by the laboratory can assist you in making more informed maintenance decisions.  
The laboratory, lubricant supplier and equipment manufacturer are an important part of your 
team and should be involved in your program.

KEYS TO EFFECTIVE OIL ANALYSIS RESULTS
. Determine Goals and Objectives
. Verify Lab Capabilities and Responsiveness
. Ensure Samples are Taken Correctly
. Take Samples on a Regular Basis
. Fill Out Laboratory Sample Information Forms Completely
. Do Not Hold Samples, Send to Laboratory ASAP
. Tell the Lab of Recent Maintenance or Unusual Problems
. Use Manufacturers Guidelines
. Involve Your Lubricant Supplier
. Ensure Good Communications Between Laboratory, Maintenance Personnel
. and Maintenance Managers
. Train Maintenance Personnel About Using Oil Analysis Effectively
. Use Oil Analysis as a part of your maintenance Planning and Practices
. Evaluate Cause and Effect Relationships in Test Results and Determine 
. Possible solutions

LUBRICANT MONITORING AND CONTROL

Oiltech Lubricant Monitoring and Control service generally provides a 48 hour response 
time, but in emergencies, a test may be performed within an hour.

TEST          		PRICE 	REASON FOR PERFORMING TEST

Viscosity,              $    		Fluid polymerisation caused by overheating 
cSt  @ 40oC                     	may  cause a rise in viscosity. Dilution with water or        
					contamination with the wrong oil for the application 
					will also vary the viscosity.  Off-specification 
					supplier oil can also be picked up occasionally.

Acid Number,     	$               Acid number can rise due to overheating,
MgKOH/g                                 contamination with water or particulate and 
					ultimately lead to corrosive levels of acid radicles 
					and/or gums and tars in the system.          
 
Water Content            $              High water content in mineral oils can allow growth 
% weight                                of bacteria and fungi in the water phase, rust 
promotion for ferric components, filter blockages, 
reduced operating viscosity.

                      			Low water content in water glycols and HWBF will 
					reduce fire resistance properties and cause an increase 
					in viscosity and conversely an ingress of water will 
					reduce viscosity and lubricity in a system.

		(All the above 3 tests for $)


Microbiological           $       	Bacteria, fungi and yeast are all capable of growing in 
Tests                                   the water  phase of a lubricant system. Once the type 
					of growth is identified, then the correct dosage and 
					type of biocide can be recommended in order to kill 
					the offending organism/s

Particle Count         	$       	Particulate contamination is reported as NAS 1638 or 
					ISO gradings.  High particulate contamination of any 
					type can cause component wear, filter blockages, 
					premature fluid ageing, reduced fluid performance, 
					increased maintenance.  Measures particles from 5 
					micron in size upwards (0.0001 cm) to several mm.

S.O.A.P.                  $         	Measures elements such as Iron, Aluminium, 
					Manganese, Copper (generated as wear metals) for 
					particles sizes less than 5-10 microns This test was 
					very popular in the past, but it is now known that 
					particles generally larger than 10 micron cause more 
					wear damage than small particles. 

Filtergram               $          	Looks microscopically at particles present in the oil, 
					and can predict where they have arisen, e.g. dust 
					entry, wear particles, additive breakdown An 
					approximate size is also given to particles identified. 
					A recommendation for corrective action can be taken 
					from this test.

Gas                       $  	      	Gives a "fingerprint" of the oil, compared with new 
Chromatography                          oil and can establish additive depletion, 
					contamination, chemical breakdown etc.

pH                        $		Tests for pH are performed on water-based fluids and 
					can indicate additive depletion, microbiological 
					activity etc. if the pH falls markedly.  

Specific                $		Every oil type has a Specific Gravity 	(SG) 
Gravity                                 measurement.   Contamination with material of a 
					different SG can be detected or an oil type identified 
					using this test.
					
Millipore		$		A fine (1um) mesh paper pad is used to filter an oil
Microscopy 				and trap suspended particles onto the pad, which is 
					then examined  microscopically.  Trapped particles can 
					give an indication of the oils' cleanliness and the 
					source of contamination.

Filterability		$		A filtration procedure to filter a given volume of oil, 
					under  certain conditions, which can indicate the oils' 
					ability to flow through in-use filters.  This will 
					indicate the presence of contaminants which, 
					although  able to pass through the filters, may cause 
					system failure (e.g. high molecular weight 
					hydrocarbon molecules).