01
Lubricant condition
Review viscosity, acidity or reserve alkalinity and condition indicators relevant to the oil and application.
Machine condition diagnostics · India
Used Oil Analysis for Predictive Maintenance
India-wide used oil analysis for predictive maintenance coordinated in Pune, Maharashtra. Confirm the sample, scope and reporting requirement with Chem-Tech.
- In-service oilCondition, contamination and wear evidence
- Routine & advanced analysisTests selected for the asset and question
- Trend-based reviewRepeat results interpreted with operating history
From sample to maintenance evidence
See what is changing in the oil—and what it may mean for the asset.
Oil is both a working fluid and a carrier of evidence. Its physical and chemical properties can change during service; contaminants may enter the system; and wear material may be generated by components. A useful oil analysis programme examines these evidence streams together.
The strongest decisions come from a representative sample, a relevant test set and comparison with the correct reference—such as a supplied specification, fresh-oil baseline or the asset's own historical trend.
Four connected evidence streams
What oil analysis can help you assess
02
Contamination
Investigate water, particles, fuel, soot, dirt or mixed-fluid concerns that may affect lubrication and reliability.
03
Equipment wear
Use elemental and wear-debris evidence with equipment metallurgy, maintenance history and operating context.
04
Trend and action
Compare repeat samples from a consistent point to identify developing change and support maintenance decisions.
Laboratory test scope
Common oil analysis tests
Not every sample requires every test. Chem-Tech confirms the methods, sample quantity and current laboratory scope before testing.
01
Oil condition and degradation
Physical and chemical properties used to assess how the lubricant has changed in service.
- Appearance
- Kinematic viscosity at 40°C / 100°C
- Viscosity index
- Total acid number (TAN)
- Total base number (TBN)
- FTIR oxidation / nitration indicators
02
Contamination and cleanliness
Evidence used to investigate ingress, combustion by-products and fluid cleanliness.
- Water content
- Particle count / ISO cleanliness
- Fuel dilution
- Soot content
- Insolubles / sediment
- Contaminant elements
03
Wear and machine condition
Screening and advanced analysis selected around the asset, materials and maintenance question.
- Elemental analysis
- Wear, additive and contaminant metals
- PQ index
- Analytical ferrography
- Wear-debris review
- Trend comparison
04
Application-specific performance
Additional properties for hydraulic, turbine, compressor and other industrial-oil applications.
- Foaming tendency
- Water separability
- Membrane patch colorimetry (MPC)
- Oxidation stability
- Flash point
- Application-specific tests
Choose by equipment and lubricant
Oil analysis applications
Application-specific pages explain the typical concerns, sample context and relevant test groups for each lubricant system.
01
Engine oils
Diesel, gas, automotive, generator and industrial engine lubricants.
→02Hydraulic oils
Hydraulic pumps, valves, servo systems and mobile or industrial machinery.
→03Gear and drivetrain oils
Gearboxes, transmissions, axles, differentials and final drives.
→04Turbine oils
Steam, gas and hydro turbine lubrication and control-oil systems.
→05Compressor oils
Air, gas and refrigeration compressor lubricant applications.
→06Industrial and mobile assets
Manufacturing, mining, construction, fleets, marine and power-generation equipment.
→A repeatable evidence cycle
How an oil analysis programme works
A maintained programme is more valuable than a disconnected sequence of samples.
Read oil sampling guidance- 01
Define the maintenance decision
Tell us whether the objective is baseline creation, routine trending, troubleshooting or a focused contamination or wear investigation.
- 02
Identify the asset and oil
Provide the equipment, component, oil grade, operating hours and relevant maintenance or top-up history.
- 03
Collect a representative sample
Use a clean bottle and a repeatable sampling point while the system is in a suitable operating condition.
- 04
Select and perform the analysis
Chem-Tech confirms a scope appropriate to the lubricant, asset, question and current laboratory capability.
- 05
Review results in context
Use current findings, previous results and operating information to plan maintenance, resampling or further investigation.
For fleets, plants and critical assets
Move from one sample to an Oil Condition Monitoring programme.
Build asset histories, standardise sampling points, select repeat test groups and review developing lubricant, contamination and wear patterns across equipment.
Explore Oil Condition MonitoringImprove the value of every result
Sample information and reporting
Good laboratory data becomes more useful when the sample and the asset are clearly identified.
Before dispatch
Send the right context with the oil
- Asset, component and sampling-point identification
- Lubricant name, grade and whether it is fresh or in service
- Oil hours, equipment hours and sampling date
- Top-ups, oil changes, filtration or maintenance events
- Operating concern and the decision the analysis must support
Technical output
Read results as connected evidence
- Agreed parameters, results and applicable methods
- Comparison with supplied limits or references where available
- Review of lubricant condition, contamination and wear evidence
- Trend review when repeat asset data is available
- Technical discussion where additional context is required
Oil analysis FAQ
Questions before you submit a sample
Visit the FAQ centreWhat is oil analysis?
Used oil analysis is the laboratory examination of an in-service lubricant to provide evidence about lubricant condition, contamination and wear-related changes within the equipment.
Is used oil analysis different from fresh oil testing?
Yes. Fresh oil is commonly reviewed for quality, identity or comparison with an agreed requirement. Used oil analysis focuses on changes that occurred during service and is more useful when equipment, oil and operating history are supplied.
Which tests are required for my oil sample?
The suitable test set depends on the oil type, equipment, operating environment and maintenance question. Engine, hydraulic, gear, turbine and compressor oils should not automatically receive the same test scope.
Can one oil sample predict equipment failure?
A single result can identify a concern, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed failure prediction. Consistent sampling, operating context and trend data usually provide a stronger basis for maintenance decisions.
What information should be sent with the sample?
Include the asset and component ID, lubricant name and grade, oil and equipment hours, sampling point, sampling date, recent top-ups or oil changes, maintenance events and the reason for testing.
Does Chem-Tech support an ongoing oil condition monitoring programme?
Yes. The programme can be structured around critical assets, repeat sampling points, appropriate test groups and trend-based review. The scope and intervals are agreed for the equipment and operating context.
Used-oil evidence
Connect condition, contamination and wear with equipment history
Used-oil analysis is strongest when representative repeat samples are linked with the correct asset, lubricant, hours, maintenance events and operating symptoms. Trends can then support maintenance review and focused investigation.
Lubricant condition
Review viscosity, acidity, reserve alkalinity and degradation indicators relevant to the oil.
Contamination
Assess water, particles, fuel, soot, dirt or mixed-fluid evidence.
Wear evidence
Interpret elemental or wear-debris findings with component metallurgy and operating context.
Trends and action
Compare consistent repeat samples to identify developing change and guide the next review.
Discuss your sample
Start with the oil, the asset and the maintenance question.
Share the lubricant type, equipment details, operating history and testing objective. Chem-Tech will help define the appropriate scope.