Comparable to having bloodwork done, routine oil analysis is a relatively quick and inexpensive way to verify that a lubricated machine is operating according to expectations.

Checking oil health, oil contamination, and machine wear, any abnormalities identified provide opportunity to address the root cause of an issue, or mitigate a developing failure.

Corrective recommendations are provided in the report, which includes specific information and comparison to standards on:

• Contamination of the oil (contamination)
• Condition of the equipment (wear debris)
• Condition of the oil (fluid properties)

Potential Benefits

Routine Oil Analysis provides opportunities to:

• Improve lubrication and equipment maintenance
• Avoid failure
• Monitor wear processes
• Maximize service life of component
• Maximize service life of oil
• Maximize equipment reliability
• Extend drain intervals and equipment life
• Accurately budget for repair and replacement costs
• Plan and schedule downtime
• Identify problems before failure occurs

Typical Test Categories

Typical test categories include the following:

• For contamination:
  • Particle counter
  • Moisture analysis
  • Elemental analysis
• For wear debris:
  • Ferrous density
  • FTIR
  • Elemental analysis
• For fluid properties:
  • Viscosity
  • Acid/base number
  • FTIR
  • Elemental analysis

Traits of Successful Programs

Traits of successful oil analysis programs:

• Regular sampling frequency
• Proper sampling procedures
• Commitment – time and training to do things properly
• Action is taken upon receiving the oil analysis reports