TABLE OF CONTENTS Oil analysis is primarily a combination of two types of analyses. One is of the lubricant itself and the other is analysing the contaminants in it. The tests of the lubricant are primarily to detect any degradation of the oil. Some contaminants are internally generated and some contaminants are from the environment, and this is what the second set of tests focuses on. In this section, we concentrate on the analysis of the lubricant itself. Oil is essentially a chemical fluid and is defined through a number of physical and chemical properties. Not all these properties are of interest if we are only concerned with the lubricating aspect of oils.
The following section contains an exhaustive list and descriptions of tests that are conducted on oils and the possible information that can be derived from them. The results from these tests provide valuable information with respect to how the condition of the oil is likely to affect the function of the equipment.
This is the most elementary and basic test and is accomplished through physical impressions:
The oil could be clear or hazy. Haziness or cloudiness indicates the presence of water.
Suspended impurities could indicate wear.
Foaming could indicate churning or loss of anti-foaming agents.
Usually oils have a bland odor. A burnt or pungent odor could be an indication of oxidation.
Bright clear oils that are normally yellowish in color could appear dark red due to oxidation or gross...
