Explanations to Oil Analyses

Analysis	Standard	Explanation/Differentiation
Look	In-house method	for the differentiation, whether cloudy or clear (water), mixing, colour
Colour ASTM	ASTM	standardization of the colour scale 1-8, with 1 = clear as water 8 = black
Density	DIN 51757	possibility of identification
Viscosity 40/100°C	DIN 51519 ff	flow behaviour (thick/thin fluid)
Viscosity index	ASTM D 2270-74	variable; the higher the VI, the flatter the line on the viscosity temperatur graph, i.e. the lower the viscosity during the cold and7or the higher the viscosity in the high temperature application. It has to be noted that shear stability also plays an important role.
ISO VG	DIN 51519	classifies hydraulic / industrial oil acc. to viscosity grades (at 40°C)
SAE	SAE	classifies motor / automobile gear oil acc. to viscosity grades (at - xx and at 100°C)
TAN	DIN 51558	Total Acid Number; shows both the ageing as well as the additive content (in connetion with IR analysis
Water content in %		The water content in the lubricant is determined as a percentage. Generally a water content of up to max. 0.2% is tolerated. Strictly speaking a water content of > 0.1% is questionable in any case. Values < 0.1% can generally be accepted. Water causes oil oxidation and rusting of the system components. Contributes to the accumulation of water in oil emulsions, which reduces the lubricating properties.
IR	in-house method	Identification of base fluids, determination of ageing, additive content and composition
TBN		Total Base Number. The TBN shows its highest relevance with motor oils. By determining the TBN and comparing it with the fresh oil value, the current alkaline state of the lubricating fluid is determined, which is decisive for the further usability of the lubricant.
Cleanliness class	ISO 4406	The grade of solid particle contamination in the lubricating fluid is measured. Acc. to ISO 4406 100 ml of the fluid to be examined are used as a basis. The ISO Code No. consitst of 2 numbers and has to be read as follows: 1. figure before the slash defines the contamination with particles > 5 µm. The 2. figure after the slash stands for the contamination with crude particles > 15 µm.
Flash point i.o.T./°C	DIN 51376	i.o.T. = in the open pot, ignition point of the ascending gases of a fluid that is heated steadily. Important for motor oils, with bio hydraulic oils determination of the base fluid
Foaming behaviour	DIN 51566	Defines amount of air is fed into the test fluid (which is kept exactly at temperature). Readings: 1. how high is the foam rising (ml) 2. time until the foam disintegrates 3 test runs (sequences) S I no differentiation experience in the PANOLIN lab S II and S III important Heavy foaming is usally connected to irritations such as e.g. contamination.
Wear elements		The number of solid particles in the lebricating fluid are stated as ppm (particle per million). It needs to be noted that e.g. zinc (Zn) and Calcium (Ca) are contained in many lubricants as additives. Such additives, however, are seen as highly toxic and are generally not contained in biodegardable oils. By the way it is not possible to give a general statement as to what ppm figure in an oil can be tolerated in certain machines. Nevertheless the respective limit values, i.e. maximum ppm number of various metals, may be requested from the machine manufacturer both for hydraulic and motor oil. A guideline to the origin of various wear elements may be found under origin of metals in lubricants

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