Oil Analysis

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• in Oil Analysis
• on February 18, 2015
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Oil analysis (OA) is the laboratory analysis of a lubricant’s properties, suspended contaminants, and wear debris. OA is performed during routine predictive maintenance to provide meaningful and accurate information on lubricant and machine condition. By tracking oil analysis sample results over the life of a particular machine, trends can be established which can help eliminate costly repairs. The study of wear in machinery is called tribology. Tribologists often perform or interpret oil analysis data.

OA can be divided into three categories:

1. analysis of oil properties including those of the base oil and its additives,
2. analysis of contaminants,
3. analysis of wear debris from machinery

In addition to monitoring oil contamination and wear metals, modern usage of OA includes the analysis of the additives in oils to determine if an extended drain interval may be used. Maintenance costs can be reduced using OA to determine the remaining useful life of additives in the oil. By comparing the OA results of new and used oil, a tribologist can determine when an oil must be replaced. Careful analysis might even allow the oil to be “sweetened” to its original additive levels by either adding fresh oil or replenishing additives that were depleted.

Oil analysis professionals and analysts can get certified in compliance with ISO standards by passing exams administered by the International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML).

For purposes of Oil Analysis Program (OAP) trend analysis, replacement, replenishment or drain and flush of lubricating fluids in excess of half an engine’s oil capacity (2.5 gallons or more) will be considered an Oil Change and the engine will be placed in code Charlie (C) for three flights to establish a new working trend. Oil-Wetted Maintenance (OWM) is any replacement of engine components within an oil-lubricated system (bearings, gearbox, pumps, etc.). OWM actions shall be documented on DD Form 2026 and submitted to OAP lab for update of Oil Analysis database. (a) Special Samples can be requested by the laboratory whenever they feel its necessary. (b) Whenever directed by the unit maintenance activity to investigate suspected deficiencies.

The NDI/JOAP laboratory will set the standards and intervals of oil analysis. The AMU will have to deal with it.