What Is an Oil Analysis?

Oil sample analysis technology is a kind of wear particle analysis technology. It was used in equipment operation status monitoring and fault diagnosis in the 1970s, and it is one of the important means to realize equipment fault diagnosis. It uses a variety of conventional, simple, precise or comprehensive oil sample analysis instruments and methods to qualitatively and quantitatively measure the physical and chemical properties of oil samples, especially the mechanical wear substances and other particles contained in them. Component, shape, size, quantity, etc. to analyze the wear part, wear type, wear process and wear degree of the equipment, so as to carry out equipment fault diagnosis and life prediction.

Oil sample analysis

During the operation of the equipment, the two relatively moving metal surfaces will inevitably undergo friction. The metal fragments or particles produced by the friction will fall off the metal surface and enter the lubricant. The analysis of the abrasive particles in the oil can determine the equipment Based on this, the failure analysis and life estimation of equipment are based on this, which is the basic principle of oil sample analysis.

There is a long history of understanding the working state of machines through oil analysis. Initially, the working state of the machine was judged by the changes in the physical and chemical properties of the oil, such as viscosity, acid value, and moisture. This method is a widely used conventional analytical method. However, because the oil is in the lubrication system or hydraulic system of the machine, it acts as a lubricant or working medium. It contains a large amount of various wear residues due to various frictions, called wear debris or abrasive particles. People have realized in practice that the information about the state of the machine from this type of wear residue is much richer than the information about the physical and chemical properties of the oil itself. For example, through various modern methods, the composition, quantity, form, size, and color of the abrasive particles can be precisely observed and analyzed, so the degree, location, type and cause of the failure can be judged relatively accurately. therefore. In the field of mechanical fault diagnosis. The concept of oil sample analysis methods has virtually been transformed into analysis of oil sample wear residues.

We know that wear, fatigue, and corrosion are the three main forms and causes of mechanical component failure, and wear failure accounts for about 60%. Due to the sensitivity and effectiveness of the oil sample analysis method for wear monitoring, this method is increasingly showing its importance in the diagnosis of mechanical faults.

Major test items for oil analysis

According to different working principles and detection methods, current oil sample analysis methods in mechanical fault diagnosis can be divided into the following types.

Quality inspection

Chroma, viscosity, moisture, flash point, total acid value, total base number, insoluble matter, residual carbon, pour point, water separation, foam characteristics, copper corrosion, oxidation stability, carbon deposition, FTIR, cone penetration , Dropping point, four-ball test, etc.

Pollution monitoring

Particle count, filter analysis, paint film tendency index (VPR), etc.

Wear analysis

Spectral element analysis, PQ index, direct reading ferrography, analytical ferrography, filter analysis, etc.