Oil testing, analysis and condition monitoring

Oil Analysis Laboratory

Chem-Tech Laboratories supports fresh and in-service oil analysis for equipment condition assessment, contamination investigation and planned maintenance decisions. Test selection is matched to the lubricant, equipment history, customer objective and the applicable IS, ASTM, IP, DIN, ISO or OEM specification.

Laboratory capability

From an oil sample to a maintenance decision

Oil analysis is most useful when a result is connected to the asset, lubricant, operating hours, oil-change history and previous samples. Chem-Tech structures the programme around those inputs so laboratory data can support a repeatable maintenance review.

A single result does not establish equipment condition on its own. Results are reviewed with reference oil information, customer-supplied limits, operating context and available trend history.

Condition-monitoring strategy

Proactive, preventive and investigative analysis

01

Proactive monitoring

Periodic sampling and trend review help identify gradual changes in oil condition, contamination and wear-related indicators before they become isolated emergency investigations.

02

Preventive maintenance support

Laboratory evidence can be reviewed alongside scheduled inspection, filtration, lubricant replacement and maintenance planning rather than relying only on fixed intervals.

03

Problem investigation

When abnormal operation is reported, the test scope can be selected around suspected contamination, fluid degradation, wear debris or lubricant-mixing concerns.

Published laboratory capability

Common oil-analysis tests and methods

Chem-Tech selects the applicable method after reviewing the oil type, equipment, specification and testing objective. The controlled scope may include IS, ASTM, IP, DIN, ISO or OEM methods; the examples below are verified methods already published in Chem-Tech's technical test data.

Test / parameterTest methodTechnical purposeInterpretation context
Kinematic viscosityASTM D7042 / ASTM D445Measures resistance to flow at a defined temperature.A change from the reference oil may support review of degradation, contamination or mixing.
Water contentASTM D6304Measures water present in the submitted oil sample.An increase may support investigation of ingress, condensation, handling or storage conditions.
Total Acid NumberASTM D664 / ASTM D974Measures acidic constituents using the selected method.A rising trend may support oxidation or acidic-contamination review when compared with the oil and service history.
Total Base NumberASTM D4739Assesses alkaline reserve in applicable engine lubricants.A falling trend may indicate consumption of reserve alkalinity and should be reviewed with operating history.
Elemental analysisASTM D5185Measures selected wear, contaminant and additive elements.Element patterns can support wear and contamination review when equipment metallurgy and trend data are available.
FTIR condition monitoringASTM E2412Reviews selected infrared condition indicators in used lubricants.Spectral changes are assessed against the relevant oil reference and operating context.
Particle count / cleanlinessISO 4406Reports the distribution of particles in applicable fluid samples.Results support cleanliness review against the equipment or customer requirement; no universal limit is assumed.
PQ IndexASTM D8184Supports assessment of ferromagnetic wear debris in used oils.A change can support wear-debris investigation alongside elemental analysis and equipment history.
View the complete applicable test list

End-to-end programme

Sample collection, analysis, reporting and follow-up

01

Define the scope

Confirm lubricant, asset, operating history, sampling point and decision objective.

02

Collect and identify

Use the confirmed bottle and sampling procedure; label every sample against the correct asset.

03

Transport to the laboratory

Chem-Tech can coordinate a door-to-door workflow where collection service is available.

04

Controlled analysis

Automated and high-throughput instruments support repeatable processing and consistent turnaround.

05

Technical review

Results are checked and considered with specification, reference and available trend history.

06

Report and respond

Reports are delivered through the customer workflow, with a dedicated point of contact for programme queries.

Zylon customer portal

Trend analysis from the asset to the region

Programme data can be organised and reviewed at multiple operating levels, helping maintenance teams move from individual reports to a consistent fleet or site view.

Explore reporting and trend analysis
Equipment-wiseReview the sample and result history for an individual asset.
Model-wiseCompare similar machines or components within the programme.
Site-wiseMonitor assets operating at the same mine, plant, depot or wind farm.
Region-wiseConsolidate multi-site programme information for wider management review.

Industry programmes

Oil analysis across critical operating environments

Mining

Condition monitoring for engines, hydraulic systems, transmissions, axles, final drives and gear systems operating under dust, load and variable duty cycles.

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Construction

Oil analysis programmes for mobile plant and construction machinery where contamination, wear and equipment availability must be reviewed together.

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Wind

Trend-based review of applicable gearbox and hydraulic oils across turbines, models, wind farms and operating regions.

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Transportation

Fleet oil analysis organised by vehicle, engine model, depot, site and region to support consistent maintenance review.

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Programme management

Supporting OEM and enterprise condition-monitoring programmes

Chem-Tech supports condition-monitoring programmes for major global OEM and enterprise customers. Programme scope, sampling frequency, applicable limits, reporting workflow and escalation criteria are agreed for each customer and asset population.

A dedicated single point of contact coordinates programme queries, sample-status follow-up and communication with the laboratory team.

Discuss your programme

Plan an oil-analysis scope around your equipment.

Share the lubricant, asset population, operating context and reporting objective with Chem-Tech.