Copper Leaching

COOLER LEACHING
What is Copper Leaching?

• High Copper reading in used oil analysis may caused by

2 reasons :
– Mechanical wear of moving parts
– Chemical reaction between engine oil and cooler
core, known as Copper leaching
• Suspected to relate with
– surface active additive in engine oil, example :
friction modifier, anti wear, etc
– sulfur compounds in engine oil
• Heat related phenomenon
• Mostly happened in new engines

Page 2
 Sulphur Compound in Engine Oil

• Mostly comes from ZDDP, an anti wear additive used in

most engine oil.

Sulfur + Copper  Copper Sufides

slough off to engine oil,

rising Copper concentration

• In most case, but not always, Copper tubes surface will

be pacified, so the release of Copper Sulfides to oil is
reduced

Page 3
Surface Active Additive Mechanism
Forming a layer at metal surface

The additive - surface

reaction in cooler tubes is
suspected as the cause
of Copper Leaching to
the oil

Page 4
Will Copper Leaching break the engine?

Since Copper comes from Cooler tubes and in a solution with the oil,
the high Copper readings should not indicate engine failures

Page 5
Understand the Copper Source
Copper Leaching or Wear?

Page 6
Understand the Copper Source
Copper Leaching or Wear?

• Copper leaching
– Before or during high Cu readings, no such high Pb, Sn or
Al reading.
– No metal debris found in Filter check
• Wear
– Before or during high Cu readings, Pb, Sn or Al reading is
noted.

Understand your engine component to know what metal will

arise in your oil before your Copper layer wearing out !

Page 7
Important Notes

• Some cooler are more prone to Copper Leaching compared

to the other

• An additive can be added to reduce the Copper Leaching, but;

– Not always effective, depends on the cooler tube
metallurgy and additive type
– May impact the oil seal condition, especially in hot
environment
– Treat rate must be carefully established, as higher treat
rate may lead to worsen result

“………..as the oil is designed mostly to protect the engine

performance, not some type of cooler”

Page 8
What to Do When You Have Copper Leaching?

• Get an oil condition trend monitoring to see whether there is

any elevation in other metal component.
“Remember that copper is usually the second of third
layer alloy, so Copper elevation by wear mechanism will
be started after the first or second alloy worn out”.
• Maintain your oil temperature to avoid heavier reaction of
Copper Leaching

Page 9
Thank You

Page 10