Nitration

Nitration is similar to oxidation. Nitration results from the reaction of oil components with nitrogen oxides that are produced from the oxidation of atmospheric nitrogen during the combustion process. In addition to causing oil thickening, nitration products are the major cause of the build-up of varnish or lacquer on engine parts.

A test for lubricant degradation due to nitration is commonly applied to four-cycle and natural gas engines. Nitration byproducts are rarely found in diesel engines, and if so, a serious operational problem is probably its source. The Spectro FTIR and FluidScan are used to monitor and quantify the nitration process in lubricants.

Applicable Spectro Products:

• Fluid Scan, Handheld Lubricant Condition Monitor
• Spectro FTIR, oil Analyzer
• Turnkey Laboratory, Spectro Industrial Tribology Laboratory