Practicing Oil Analysis September 2005

Featured Article

Jim Fitch, Noria Corporation

This isn’t your usual article on how important clean oil is to lubricant health and machine reliability. Yes, we are going to talk about particle contamination, but we’re going to take a muc…

Noria Corporation

Cowboy humorist and author Will Rogers knew what he was talking about when he said, “We can’t all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by.” But what happens...

Matt Spurlock

For the well-honed reliability program, knowledge equals power and financial success. Without an appreciation of how to derive knowledge from data, it is not difficult for the poorly informed,...

Ashley Mayer

The use of limits is a powerful tool in data interpretation, as well as oil analysis and different types of number-crunching activities. Limits are used to sieve key points and highlight...

Steve Anderson, Y2K Fluid Power, Inc.

The successful control of contamination for any equipment (such as hydraulic, gearbox, turbine, electric motor, etc.), must begin with safe and effective oil handling practices. Safe, because...

Skip Vaughn, Redstone Rocket

A long beige van sits outside the U.S. Army Oil Analysis Program Office building at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Within a month, it should be in Iraq. The Army’s newest mobile oil analysis...

Marianne Duncanson, ExxonMobil

Moisture is considered a chemical contaminant when suspended or mixed with lubricating oils. It presents a combination of chemical and physical problems for the lubricant and machinery,...

Derek Wilcock, Sishen Iron Ore Mine

Situation Prior to Failure The engine currently installed in truck no. 526 is a Cummins K2000 series engine that had been in production for 349 hours prior to failure. Observation The...

Howard Adams, Herguth Laboratories, Inc.; William R. Herguth, Herguth Laboratories, Inc.

Why do oils appear to darken in clear, outdoor constant-level oilers? Is this a cause for concern? Extended exposure to sunlight can cause oil to suffer accelerated oxidation and may lead to...