Kinematic viscosity @ 40⁰C, 100⁰C and 150⁰C

Kinematic viscosity is a measure of the lubricants resistance to flow under gravity at a specific temperature (usually 40 and 100 degrees Celsius). It indicates the thickness or thinness of an oil at a given temperature.

Viscosity index

Viscosity index is a measure of the rate of change of the viscosity of the oil with temperature. High viscosity index lubricants tend to display less change in viscosity with temperature increase than low viscosity index fluids.

Flash point and fire point

Flash point of oil is the temperature at which sufficient combustive vapour is generated to cause an instantaneous flash when a flame is applied to the surface. It is dangerous for the oil in a motor to ignite and burn. For lubricating oils, the flash point has little general bearing on its usefulness, although on a used oil the flash point may indicate dilution, The flash point is mainly used by refiners for control of their refining process, The value is especially important in connection with the transport of petroleum products from one location to another when stringent regulations apply which specifically relate to the flash point of a petroleum product.

Pour point and cloud point

Petroleum oils solidify if cooled to a sufficiently low temperature, due either to the partial separation of wax or, to a congealing of the oil itself. The temperature at which wax first separates is known as the cloud point. The temperature at which the oil will just flow under certain standard test conditions is known as the pour point. The cloud point is of value when the oil is to be used for wick-feed application. The pour point gives an indication as to what may be expected under low temperature operation. It also represents the temperature below which it would be dangerous to use the oil in gravity lubrication systems.

Appearance

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, con tetur adipiscing elit agenean.

Colour

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, con tetur adipiscing elit agenean.

Specific gravity

Specific gravity is a dimensionless unit defined for liquids as the ratio of the density of the substance to the density of water at a specified temperature. It is used to compare densities of oil and water at a specified temperature.

Sulphated ash

Sulphated ash is the ash content of an oil. It is an indication of the concentration of known metal containing additives in an oil before used. Sulphated ash test utilizes a procedure to measure the amount of residual substance not volatilized from a sample when the sample is ignited in the presence of sulfuric acid. The test is usually used for determining the content of inorganic impurities in an organic substance.

Phosphorus content

With normal and expected additive depletion due to usage, the additives are still present in the fluid, and will still be measured at their normal levels. Once they do not appear in the fluid, they have dropped out completely, which indicates a more severe degradation mechanism or additive drop-out.

Phosphorus may appear due to grease contamination, as general-purpose greases also contain AW or EP additive packages. Machines with greased seals or those having undergone recent maintenance may exhibit small increases in phosphorus, depending on the rate of leakage or overage in use.

Water content

The presence of water in engines indicates contamination from outside sources, from condensation of moisture in the atmosphere, or from internal coolant leaks. Water is typically evaporated by engines at normal operating temperatures. However, water may remain in the oil when engine temperatures are too low for evaporation to occur. Other types of equipment, when operated at sufficient temperatures, also tend to evaporate contaminating water. Oil analysis offers an effective method of recognizing water/coolant contamination before a major problem occurs. Infrared analysis is used to determine water content in used oil. Results are reported in percent volume.

Cold cranking simulator

Cold Cranking Simulator (CCS) measures the apparent viscosity of oils at temperatures from –35°C to –5°C. It is a high shear method and is designed to simulate the oil viscosity under cold starting (cranking) conditions.

Shear Stability

Shear Stability is a measure of the resistance of an oil to change in viscosity, caused by the oil being subjected to mechanical stress or shear. The result of this mechanical stress is a reduction in viscosity or thinning.

Evaporation loss

Evaporation loss determines the physical loss of lubricants in high temperature conditions.The Noack volatility test (ASTM D-5800) determines the physical evaporation loss of lubricants in high temperature service.

Foaming tendency

Foaming in oil is mainly due to the accumulation of small air bubbles at the surface of the lubricant. It is caused by excessive agitation, air leaks/ingress, contamination or cavitation. Foaming is an undesired phenomenon in engines, hydraulics, turbines and cooling systems.

Homogeneity and miscibility

Homogeneity and miscibility test method covers the determination if an automotive engine oil is homogeneous and will remain so, and if it is miscible with certain standard reference oils after being submitted to a prescribed cycle of temperature changes.

Dispersancy

One of the primary functions of a lubricant is to preserve the cleanliness of a combustion engine’s mechanical parts. The cleanliness of these parts is facilitated by the introduction of detergency and dispersancy additives to the engine oil. It is therefore important to quantify the degradation of the oil in service (engines or transmission oils) and to monitor the evolution of the oil’s dispersancy properties during use to be able to determine steps and intervals for maintenance.

Total Acid Number (TAN)

The total acid number is the quantity of acid or acid-like constituents in the lubricant. An increase in TAN from that of the new lubricant should be monitored. The TAN of a new oil is not necessarily zero since oil additives can be acidic in nature. Increases in TAN usually indicate lube oxidation or contamination with water or an acidic product. TAN is an indicator of oil serviceability.

Total Base Number (TBN)

The total base number is an expression of the amount of alkaline additives in the lubricant that are capable of neutralizing the acid products of combustion. A new oil starts with the highest TBN it will possess. During the time the lubricant is in service, the TBN decreases as the alkaline additives neutralize acids. TBN is an essential element in the establishment of oil drain intervals since it indicates whether the additives are still capable of providing sufficient engine protection.