Lubricant Oil Analysis — ISO 3104 / ASTM D2270 / Used Oil Monitoring

What Is Lubricants?

Lubricant oil analysis serves two purposes. NEW OIL VERIFICATION shows the product meets its declared viscosity grade and performance properties. USED OIL MONITORING (oil condition monitoring) assesses the machine's condition and the oil's remaining life: viscosity change, oxidation, contamination, wear metals and water content are monitored.

Purpose of Lubricants

The purpose is to verify the correct oil is being used and to detect machine failures early. Used oil analysis is one of the most effective tools of planned maintenance.

Which Products Is Lubricants Applied To?

Engine oils
Hydraulic and transmission oils
Gear and compressor oils
Turbine oils
Industrial lubricating oils

In Which Sectors Is Lubricants Used?

Oil & GasPetrokimyaEnergyAutomotiveIndustrial EquipmentEnergy

Standards Related to Lubricants

TS EN ISO 3104 (kinematic viscosity)
ASTM D2270 (calculation of viscosity index)
TS EN ISO 2719 (flash point)
ASTM D664 (total acid number — TAN)
ASTM D2896 (total base number — TBN)
ASTM D5185 (element analysis by ICP)
ISO 4406 (particulate cleanliness class)
ASTM D6304 (determination of water by Karl Fischer)

Lubricants Conditions

Referans numune: Used oil monitoring requires reference values of new oil
sample point: The sample should be taken from a representative and consistent point in the system
Specimen temperature: Sample taken when the system is running and hot is more representative
Trend: Not a single measurement, but a series taken from the same point is evaluated

Equipment for Lubricants

Kinematic viscosity bath
ICP-OES (element analysis)
FTIR (oxidation and contamination)
Karl Fischer titrator
Automatic particle counter
TAN/TBN automatic titrator

Sample Requirements for Lubricants

Clean and dry sample container; container-induced contamination distorts the result
The sample must be taken while the system is running and from the same point
Oil type, brand, service duration and machine information must be stated
A new oil reference sample must also be sent

Duration of Lubricants

The standard monitoring package is completed quickly and generally reported within a few working days. Duration extends when a comprehensive failure investigation requires additional analyses.

Lubricants Procedure

1The sample is taken and recorded with machine information.
2Viscosity is measured at 40 °C and 100 °C; viscosity index is calculated.
3TAN and TBN are determined.
4Oxidation, nitration and contamination are assessed with FTIR.
5Wear metals and additive elements are measured by ICP.
6Water and particulate cleanliness class are determined.

Lubricants Acceptance Criteria

For new oil, the acceptance criterion is the manufacturer's product specification and viscosity grade. For used oil there is no fixed limit: assessment is made against the new oil reference and the trend over time; the equipment manufacturer may define its own warning and action thresholds.

Evaluation of Results

A single result does not carry meaning in used oil analysis; the real information is the trend. An increase in iron indicates wear, in silicon dust ingress, and in sodium or boron coolant leakage. An increase in viscosity indicates oxidation, and a decrease indicates fuel dilution.

Lubricants Report

Oil type, machine information and service duration
Viscosity (40 °C and 100 °C) and viscosity index
TAN and TBN values
FTIR oxidation and contamination indicators
Element analysis (wear metals, contaminants and additives)
Water content and particulate cleanliness class
Trend assessment and recommendation

Accreditation

EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.

Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Scope and authorisations

Related Regulations

Fuel and LPG market technical regulations (EPDK)
EU 2009/30/EC (fuel quality directive)
Communiqués on the placing of lubricating oils on the market

Petroleum, Fuel and Oil Analysis — What Does This Testing Field Cover?

The section below describes the field that the Lubricants test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Petroleum, fuel and oil analysis determines whether a fluid meets its specification and how it behaves in use. Standards in this field consist largely of ASTM and EN publications, with a separate method defined for each parameter.

What distinguishes this family is that product specifications are written as PARAMETER LISTS. Specifications such as EN 590 (diesel), EN 228 (petrol), EN 14214 (biodiesel) and ISO 8217 (marine fuels) state for each parameter both the limit and the method by which that limit is to be measured. If the method changes the result may change too; the specification therefore binds the method as well, and the use of an "equivalent method" is possible only where the specification allows it.

On the fuel side, parameters describe three different properties of the product. Physical properties (density, viscosity, distillation curve, pour point, cloud point) determine pumpability and cold weather behaviour. Combustion properties (cetane number, octane number, calorific value) indicate performance in the engine. Contaminant and stability parameters (sulphur, water, sediment, oxidation stability, copper strip corrosion) affect both emissions and storage life.

Oil analysis is carried out for two different purposes and the two must not be confused. Analysis of NEW oil verifies the conformity of the product to its specification: viscosity index, additive content, flash point. Analysis of USED oil, by contrast, is done to read the condition of the machine — elemental analysis shows wear metals (iron, copper, chromium, aluminium), water and fuel contamination point to leaks, and oxidation and acid number determine the remaining life of the oil.

Used oil analysis is therefore a PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE tool. The trend of samples taken at regular intervals is followed; it is the trend rather than a single result that is meaningful. Iron levels climbing over the course of months allow intervention before a failure occurs.

Marine fuels are the most active sub-body of the field. The global tightening of sulphur limits has brought new blended fuels onto the market; for these fuels stability, compatibility (whether two fuels form deposits when mixed) and catalytic fines content have become critical parameters.

Sampling is part of the result in this family too. A sample taken from the bottom of a tank shows different water and sediment content from one taken from the upper level; in commercial deliveries the sampling point and method are set by contract.

Method groups in this field

Physical properties
Density (oscillating U-tube and hydrometer), kinematic viscosity, distillation, pour and cloud point, flash point.
Combustion properties
Cetane number and cetane index, research and motor octane number, calorific value.
Sulphur and elements
Sulphur by UV fluorescence and XRF; elemental analysis and additive content by ICP.
Stability and corrosion
Oxidation stability, copper strip corrosion, water and sediment, filter blocking tendency.
Composition analysis
Boiling range distribution by gas chromatography, hydrocarbon types (FIA), benzene and aromatics content, fatty acid methyl ester content.
Used oil
Wear metals, contamination (water, fuel, soot), oxidation, acid and base number, change in viscosity.

Commonly confused in this field

The specification binds the method as well; a result measured by a different method may not be accepted for specification conformity.
A single result on used oil is not meaningful; the decision is made on the trend.
The sampling point determines the result; the tank bottom and the upper level show different water and sediment.
The cetane index is a calculated value and is not the same thing as a measured cetane number.
Fuels blended with biodiesel behave differently in terms of storage life and microbial growth; classical diesel parameters are not sufficient.
Mixing marine fuels from different sources can cause deposits; compatibility is assessed separately.

Which decisions these results support

Conformity of a fuel lot to specification and commercial delivery
Predictive maintenance decisions based on used oil analysis
Determining parameters for customs and tax classification
Quality verification after storage, blending and transport
Compliance with sulphur limits under emissions legislation

Related Tests

Frequently Asked Questions About Lubricants

Can we extend our oil change interval?

Analysis is the correct way to assess this. The oil's remaining life can be determined by monitoring TBN decline, oxidation and contamination trends. However, the decision must be made together with the equipment manufacturer's warranty conditions.

The iron value came out high — is the machine faulty?

A single result is not sufficient. Run-in wear is normal in new systems. What is decisive is the rate of increase: a rapid rise in a series taken from the same point indicates an active wear process.