Oil Analysis

Oil Analysis

• Adam Adgar
• School of Computing and Technology

Oil Function

• Very important for any rotating equipment
• Performs two well-known, primary functions:
• Lubricates surfaces - reduces friction
• Separates surfaces - oil film prevents metal-metal contact
• Typical oil film thickness is 10 microns - 400 microns
• At actual load/contact point may be less than 1 micron
• Oil also performs several other, related functions:
• Protects surfaces from corrosion
• Can remove contaminants and particulates in circulating systems
• Assists with temperature control by absorbing / transferring heat
• Transmits power in hydraulic applications

Oil Types

• Oil comes in two basic forms:
• Natural (or Mineral)
• Petroleum based
• From oil deposits in the ground
• More commonly used type
• Synthetic
• Man-made lubricant
• Based on manufactured polymers
• There are many sub-categories of each form

• Grease
• Suspension of lubricant (both natural and synthetic) in a chemical solution.
• Lubricant is temperature released (temperature rises, lubricant gets released until the temperature drops again and so on)

Why Analyze Oil Condition?

• Oil analysis is the leading indicator of any problems developing on a large number of different mechanical systems
• Oil analysis will arguably catch more potential problems across the broad range of mechanical systems than any other predictive technology (including vibration analysis).
• That is not to say that other technologies are not necessary or that oil analysis does not have its weaknesses (rolling element bearings being one notable example). It simply illustrates the value of a well-run oil analysis program.