Fluid Analysis... Filtakleen USA.

OIL ANALYSIS USER GUIDE

TECH TALK
SPECTRO METALS:

Glossary Description: Any of several techniques for detecting and quantifying trace metallic elements, in which the sample is energized to make the elements emit or absorb a quantifiable amount of light energy.

Reporting Units: Parts-per-million (ppm) by weight. 1 ppm-0.0001%.

Repeatability: (approx.): 1-20ppm (+ / - 1ppm); 20-500 (+ / - 5%); 500 + (/ - 8- 10%)

Technical Overview: Spectro-metals is confined to the measurement of metallic particles < 10 microns in size and is thus limited on detecting catastrophic failures. In some applications, it is a weaker alternative. There is insufficient energy available to enable ionization of particles well below 10 microns which must occur if spectral energy is to be developed.

Interpretation: Spectro-metals testing provides information on three distinct areas of interest: WEAR, CONTAMINATION, ADDITIVES.

Wear Metals: Iron, Chrome, Aluminum, Molybdenum, Lead, Copper, Tin, Nickel, Silver, Antimony, Titanium.

Contaminant Metals: Silicon, Sodium, Potassium, Boron.

Additive Metals: Magnesium, Calcium, Barium, Phosphorus, Zinc.

Sources of Wear Metals:

Iron: Piston, rings, cylinder, gear, block, head, cam, roller bearing, race.

Chrome: Various plating, liner, ring, some shaft gears.

Molybdenum: Ring plating, alloy (also oil additive, off shelf supplement)

Aluminum: Piston, bushing, thrust, block, blower, cooler cores.

Copper: Bushings, bearing, piston insert, axial hydraulic piston assembly, rod packing.

Lead: Bearing overlay, bearing alloy, piston inset, wet clutch.

Tin: Bearing, piston plating or alloy.

Nickel: "Heavy" fuel contaminants (usually with vanadium and sodium), stellite (valve seat).

Silver: Wrist pin bushings, turbo bearings, needle bearings.

Antimony: Bearing alloy, babbitt alloy (covering on engine bearings).

Titanium: Gas turbine bearings / hubs / blades.

Sources of Contaminant Metals:

Silicon: Wet clutch, brake materials, dirty air intake systems.

Potassium: Coolant additive (antifreeze).

Boron: Cube additive.

Sources of Additive Metals
(detergent pack or oil condition):

Magnesium: Cube additive.

Calcium: Cube additive.

Barium: Cube additive.

Phosphorus: Cube additive, synthetic phosphate ester cube.

Zinc: Cube additive.

All types of systems benefit from this testing procedure. Equipment/component history information can be obtained from oil analysis to detect any problems before there is major down time.

VISCOSITY:

What causes viscosity to change?

Upward = above 16.5

Cube Oxidation
Forming / Pump Cavitation
Emulsion With Water
Soot or Solids Contamination

Downward = below 10.0

Fuel Or Solvent Contamination
Refrigerant
Wrong Fill Of Make Up Of Lube

"Viscosity is recommended for any application"

FUEL SOOT:

Glossary Description: Combustion solids from reciprocating engines, however, the primary application is diesel engines.

Cause-Operations:

Lube Change Intervals Too Long
Over Fueling Or Excessive Idling
Incorrect Rack Setting
Restricted Air Intake (SILICON)
Leaking Down Or Worn Injector