Oil Testing

Why is Oil Testing Important for New Oil?

Much of industry rides on a layer of oil which, on the average, is only a few microns thick. Any damage to that layer (or to the supply of products that replenish it) can bring productivity to a standstill.

Consequently, progressive manufacturing companies take their lubrication programs seriously to keep machinery operating longer, more efficiently, and with as little downtime as possible. An effective formal lubrication program is vital for this. And yet, even progressive companies that recognize the value of lubrication programs are often deficient when it comes to inspecting, sampling and testing new oil as it arrives at their plants.

But, why should new oil require sampling and testing? It's new, after all, and why should you spend the time and money to test it?

The first reason is the most basic. Mistakes occur, so the first thing to do with a new drum of oil is inspect it to make sure it matches the spec that was ordered. Having verified the blend, viscosity, and other parameters, the oil's cleanliness should also be tested and the results archived to form a benchmark for future deliveries of that oil.

Problems with incoming oil shipments, though not prevalent, are not unheard of either. For example, audits performed by the American Petroleum Institute a decade ago showed that 4 percent of incoming motor oils were out of specification for the concentration of additives and/or low temperature performance; about 16 percent of oils showed some deviations from spec.

Rates of deviation have moved lower over time, but the fact remains that incoming oil can be mislabeled, blended improperly, or contaminated. You won't know unless you sample and test, and if you don't sample and test you may contaminate other oils or fail to lubricate machinery properly.

The Beauty of Benchmarking
Testing incoming oil and maintaining the data derived also allows you to develop a benchmark for future deliveries. Once these benchmarks are established, it will be easy to determine if new deliveries are out of spec in some way. This is a very important first line of defense against blindly mixing a new batch of bad oil with inventory. Any new oil entering your plant should be quarantined until it has been tested, the results of those tests known, and the new oil labeled to indicate it is approved for use.

Determining the cleanliness of new oil is part of the sampling and testing procedure. Studies have found that the ISO cleanliness codes on incoming oil can vary. Industry professionals operate under a rule that the cost of preventing dirt from getting into new oil is only ten percent of what it costs to get it out. So, if an incoming lubricant tests out to be dirty, exchange or filter it before putting it to use. Also, establish a set of cleanliness standards with your supplier that allows the rejection of incoming oil if the standards are not met.

Looking for a Better Answer?
Acculube quality protocols, developed and perfected over more than 45 years, have proved highly effective at preventing contamination during transfer, and at making certain that the lubricant ordered is precisely what is delivered. If you'd like ideas for managing your fluids most efficiently, call one of our lubricant specialists.

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