Lubricant Analysis

Lubricant analysis provides a critical contribution to any Condition Monitoring program. It helps our clients keep their plant equipment operating efficiently by reducing the risk of serious or catastrophic mechanical failure due to degradation or contamination of the lubricants and by monitoring the wear rate of machinery internal component materials.

Lubricant analysis and Lubricant sampling are a forensic science, much like collecting evidence at a crime scene, it is important to ensure that procedures are used to minimize disturbance of the sample during and after the sampling process. It is also important to keep new oil in an appropriate manner and in a clean, sheltered environment. It is imperative that after handling stored oil and using oil replenishment equipment (jugs, funnels, oil filtration kit, etc.) it should be returned to the designated oil store and kept in a clean condition and under cover at all times. Scenic Acoustic can advise on the best practice methods for the handling and storing your new and old oil.

Lubricant analysis is a long-term program that, where relevant, can eventually be more predictive than any of the other condition monitoring technology. By tracking Lubricant analysis sample results over the life of a particular machine, trends can be established which can provide early identification of impending mechanical failures and eliminate costly repairs due to unplanned failure of critical machinery. Analytical techniques performed on Lubricant samples can be classified in to three categories:

– Condition of new and used Lubricants and their additives
– Lubricant Contamination
– Wear particle analysis.

Used Lubricant analysis determines the condition of the lubricant itself against a new sample, determines the quality of the lubricant, and checks its suitability for continued use. Wear particle analysis determines the mechanical condition of machine components that are lubricated. Through wear particle analysis, you can identify the composition of the solid material present and evaluate particle type, size, concentration, distribution, and morphology. Wear particle analysis can be used to identify which machine components are degrading, and the wear rate of the components.

Scenic Acoustic’s Lubricant condition monitoring program evaluates lubricating oil and grease results and reports any issues back to the client. As Scenic Acoustic has no affiliation with any lubricant providers, we offer clients an impartial, confidential, and independent service.

An effective Lubricant condition monitoring program is straight forward and cost-effective to implement and maintain, it is a vital tool in all condition monitoring tool boxes and should play an essential role in every plant maintenance strategy or preventative maintenance program. If you choose to allow Scenic Acoustic to routinely perform and manage your oil sampling and testing program, we will provide you with valuable comprehensive reports on both the Lubricant condition and the wear of the machinery. On completion of the laboratory analysis of the test results, the overall condition of our clients machinery and Lubricant are prioritised using a traffic light system and are presented in an exception report which details the current machinery condition, all new actions, and all outstanding actions.

Scenic Acoustic’s standard Lubricant analysis package will tell you what you need to know about the condition of both the in service Lubricant and the wear patterns of the plant equipment. This enables our client to monitor the key components of an Lubricant analysis program which provide them with an early indication of Lubricant degradation, contamination, cleanliness and machinery wear. The results of each Lubricant analysis test are trended and compared to specific limits such as ISO 4406, NAS1638, and SAE 749Fluid cleanliness codes. Custom testing programs are designed to meet your needs and ensure that sample collection, shipping, testing and reporting are seamless and efficient.

Our standard routine oil analysis program includes the following testing procedures:

– Spectral Exam: Establishes the levels of wear metals, silicon, and additives present in the Lubricant . Also checks for coolant.
– Viscosity: Determines the grade of Lubricant.
– Insolubles: Quantifies the percentage of solids present in the Lubricant .
– Flashpoint: The flashpoint is the temperature at which the vapours from the Lubricant ignite. When the flash is lower than it should be, it shows a contaminant (usually fuel) is present.

These tests can also be purchased in bulk as part of our bulk pricing program. For special combinations of tests or bulk pricing, please call us.

We can provide bespoke analytical oil analysis and oil sampling programs which can be tailored to suit the requirements of your plant equipment based on any or all of the following criteria:

– Operational and capital loss criticality reviews
– OEM’s recommendations, ISO codes
– Preventative maintenance strategy assessments
– Asset HSE risk assessment
– Stakeholders and asset insurance under righters requirements

Additional tests can include any of the following analytical test procedures. If there is a particular test you require which is not listed below, please contact Scenic Acoustic and we will discuss your requirements in detail.