Learn used oil analysis sample testing, lubrication reliability maintenance, predictive lab diagnostics to reduce costs & boost profits.
See the latest and most popular articles on oil analysis that have been posted to find out more about how oil analysis works and the benefits it could be doing for you.
Nitration the seldom discussed destroyer of engines
When we talk about oil degradation we often use the terms contamination and oxidation. In fact you only need to look at any oil product data-sheet to see terms such as "increased oxidation resistance", "superb oxidation stability" yet you never hear mentioned of nitration. Nitration is hence often regarded as the silent disruptor in the world of lubricating oil and is little understood or discussed. Nitration introduces nitrogen compounds i...
In a recent LinkedIn post, I presented a challenge to my connections: identify the coolant leaks in a rack of 96 engine oil samples to see if they could guess it right. All samples were dark black, except for the strikingly different creamy white sample at position 59. FYI. Position 1 is top left and the rack reads left to right in rows down to bottom right of 96. You will likely spot it in the rack below.
The guesses poured in including many for 59. Today, I'm excited to reveal the un...
The Surprising Truth Behind Engine Oil Samples: Unveiling Coolant Leaks
Many transformer labs will be familiar with processing emergency samples, but usually it is a small batch of 1 or 2 at a time that are actually an emergency. However, I was surprised to have 27 samples arrive in one evening as an emergency.
It had been bad weather and there had been a few storms over the previous 24 hours in the UK. So bad that 7 customers in fact sent emergency samples at once because of lightning strikes, environmental damage, flooding etc all to check the condition of the...
If I was to ask you to name an oil additive, if you can name any, the first one would most likely be ZDDP. Now that isn't just because you read the title of this article, but because it is one of the most widely used oil additives in the world. It in particular stands out for its critical role in extending the life of machinery. Its full name is a mouthful; Zinc Dialkyl Dithiophosphate, and why we shorten to ZDDP. This chemical has been the unsung hero in many lubricating oils, acting as a poten...
For as long as insurance companies have existed they have been looking at new and innovative ways to determine risks of a claim when setting insurance rates. In recent years this has even extended to apps on your mobile devices to track your car driving habits.
For decades now, insurers have been using oil and fuel analysis to confirm the validity of claims. This can be confirming actions arising from oil analysis have been implemented, but also, from larger claims, has involved insurers collec...
Could your marine insurance claims be too high or rejected through not testing your oil?
This tank shows visible deposition of insoluble varnish but if you look at the top of the tank wall a lighter staining more soluble varnish exists. This can potentially cause more issues and this article will explain why.
Most of those who are savvy amongst yourselves will have heard of varnish in hydraulic and turbine systems. You may have even heard of varnish potential ratings and tests like MPC (membrane patch colourimetry) to test for them.
An interesting question the other day on linkedin. Interestingly, from a competitor lab which I always take as a compliment. So I thought in the gesture of knowledge sharing for the greater good I thought I would write an article to explain.
The question was:
When we test engine oils for customers that are sludged we often comment the reason for this is poor combustion, but I am not quite sure as to how exactly the two are linked. Can you help? Your website is brilliant by the way - love it! I...
Oil Analysis is used by people just like you all over the world to reduce machinery downtime and improve equipment reliability. A small sample of oil from your machinery can provide as much information as a full machine strip down at a fraction of the cost and has been a proven technology for over 60 years to reduce forced shutdowns and failure repair costs. Want to understand how oil and grease analysis works and how it applies to you then watch this short video below.
Oil analysis is a brilliant tool that can save you money each time you sample. The returns on investment vary depending on your machinery type, so feel free to use our sister sites cost saving calculator at the bottom of their FAQ Page.
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If you have never had your oil tested before then what are you waiting for and get in contact with a lab today. There are many reputable labs all across the world that offer excellent oil analysis services you can use including our sister lab – Oil Analysis Laboratories, which is the only lab in the world to offer the LubeWear test. LubeWear identifies abnormal wear far earlier than traditional wear metal analysis techniques meaning you can catch faults earlier to keep your machine reliability at its highest. A brief video explanation of the rest can be viewed below.
