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Physical Properties
Test results are reported in % volume, accurate to
Water
0.05%, or in parts per million (ppm).
Indicated the relative amount of unburned fuel
present in the engine lubricant. Excessive fuel
Fuel dilution, % Volume
dilution reduces lubricant load carrying capacities.
Test results are reported in % volume.
TA measurement of the quantity of fuel soot,
Total Solids, % Volume
sludge, varnish and other insoluble contaminants.
An accurate/specific measurement of dispersed fuel
soot present. Results are applied to
Fuel Soot, % Weight by LEM
combustion/operating efficiency and dispersant oil
additive effectiveness.
Measures the amount of insoluble fuel soot carbon
Fuel Soot (Infrared) (Absorbance) suspended in the engine lubricant. Higher values
indicate reduced combustion efficiency.
Measures the overall breakdown of a lubricant due
Oxidation (Infrared) to aging, operating conditions, or internal
overheating.
Measures the buildup of acidic materials during
Nitration (Infrared) normal service or, in diesel engines, as a result of
cylinder wall/compressing ring "blow-by."
Positive test results indicate the presence of glycol
contamination, most often associated with cooling
Glycol (Antifreeze/Coolant) system internal leaks. glycol contamination
promotes lubricant breakdown, sludging, bearing
wear, and corrosion.
Measures a lubricant's resistance to flow. Viscosity
Viscosity is considered the single most important physical
property of a lubricant. changes in viscosity
indicate improper servicing, dilution or
contamination, and lubricant breakdown in service.
Test results are reported in centistokes (cSt).
Measures the total amount of acidic product present
in a lubricant. Generally, an increase in AN above
Acid Number
that of the new product indicates oil oxidation or
contamination with an acidic product.
Also referred to as total alkalinity or alkaline
reserve. The BN measures the alkaline content
Base Number present (or remaining) in the lubricant. Decreases in
BN may indicate reduced acid neutralizing
capacity, or a depleted additive package.
Measures and counts individual particle present in a
specific volume of sample. Counts are normally
Particle Count
reported in given micron ranges and/or ISO
classification.
Detects the concentration of ferrous (iron-based)
wear particles in a sample by magnetically sorting
Direct Reading (DR) Ferrography
them in two size ranges, then optically measuring
the particle density in each range.