THE SMOOTH OPERATION OF THE EFFICIENT LUBRICANT TESTING LAB

Significance of the topic

Lubricant testing plays a critical role in industrial maintenance strategies by detecting contaminants and wear particles before they cause equipment failure. Rapid, reliable analysis of oil samples enables predictive maintenance, extends equipment life, reduces downtime and controls operational costs.

Objectives and overview

This white paper outlines an integrated workflow for efficient lubricant analysis using a suite of PerkinElmer instruments. It highlights methods for elemental analysis, particle counting, infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography and headspace sampling, emphasizing throughput, data quality and compliance with industry standards.

Applied instrumentation

• Avio 500 ICP-OES with vertical plasma torch and Flat Plate™ technology for multi-element analysis
• LPC 500™ liquid particle counter featuring inflow sensor and SPOS detection
• OilPrep™ 4/8 oil diluters for automated sample preparation
• Clarus® 590/690 GC with PreVent backflush system for fuel and lubricant analysis
• Spectrum Two™ FT-IR for rapid oil degradation and contamination monitoring
• TurboMatrix™ headspace sampler for glycol contamination in used oils
• OilExpress™ 4 condition monitoring system for automated FT-IR analysis
• Teledyne CETAC Oils 7400 autosampler with ASXpress Plus and Particle Xpress for combined elemental and particle analysis
• Power conditioner to ensure stable electrical supply

Methodology and instrumentation

Samples are automatically diluted by OilPrep diluters and introduced to the LPC 500 for particle size and count measurements. For elemental profiling, the same sample is directed to the Avio 500 ICP-OES, capable of detecting over 73 elements in seconds while consuming minimal argon. OilExpress and Spectrum Two FT-IR systems analyze molecular degradation and contamination without dilution. Clarus GC provides fuel and lubricant components analysis with fast backflush, and TurboMatrix headspace detects glycol residues. All instruments are integrated via autosamplers and advanced valve systems to maximize throughput and reproducibility.

Main results and discussion

The integrated platform delivers sample throughput ranging from 45 seconds per ICP-OES run to 200–500 particle count analyses per hour, and up to 100 FT-IR tests per hour. Vertical plasma torch stability and Flat Plate technology reduce argon costs by half compared to load-coil systems. The combined SPC and ICP runs eliminate separate preparations, speeding decision-making. Compliance with ASTM methods (D5185, D4951, D6130, D7593, E2414, D7418, D7922) ensures data relevance in QA/QC and research applications.

Benefits and practical applications

• Enhanced predictive maintenance through comprehensive wear and contamination profiling
• Reduced sample preparation time and operational costs with automated dilution and multisystem autosampling
• High data reliability due to stable power supply and validated consumables
• Improved scheduling of preventative maintenance based on precise contamination levels
• Scalable throughput to meet both low- and high-volume laboratory demands

Future trends and opportunities

Emerging trends include the integration of machine learning for pattern recognition in multi-technique datasets, online real-time monitoring of lubricant condition, microfluidic sampling modules to reduce reagent use, and cloud-based data platforms for fleet-wide analytics. Further improvements in miniaturized ICP sources and handheld FT-IR devices will enable on-site testing and faster decision cycles.

Conclusion

PerkinElmer’s cohesive suite of analytical tools offers a robust, high-throughput solution for lubricant analysis. By combining elemental, particulate, molecular and headspace techniques in a single workflow, laboratories can achieve rapid, compliant and actionable data to drive predictive maintenance and cost savings.