Oxidation
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Oxidation is perhaps the most predominant problem as a lubricant remains in service. It is a form of lubricant degradation responsible for numerous lubricant problems including viscosity increase, varnish, sludge and sediment formation, additive depletion, base oil breakdown, filter plugging, loss of lubricity, loss in foam control, acid number (AN) increase, rust formation and corrosion. Oxidation occurs as lubricant molecules are exposed to oxygen over long time periods and is accelerated by high operating temperature. Therefore, monitoring and controlling oxidation is a priority of any machine condition monitoring program.
Oxidation is determined analytically by the amount of infrared light absorbed by oxidation products. The Spectro FTIR and FluidScan are used to monitor and quantify the lubricant oxidation process.
Applicable Spectro Products: