Testing for wear is testing for damage to a system. Examining your wear metals tells you what in particular is being damaged, to help ascertain the severity or risk of the failure.
Test Descriptions
Analytical Ferrography
- An analytical ferrography provides a descriptive analysis of wear particles in an oil sample. By qualitatively categorizing the microscopic wear displayed on two distinct photos taken of the contents on a special microscope slide (aka Ferrogram). A Fluid Life senior analyst provides a detailed report identifying the type, nature and probable source of the wear particles along with relevant photographs of the ferrogram. For more extensive information on Analytical Ferrography please download Analytical Ferrography.
Filter Analysis
- A filter analysis provides comprehensive information on large particles (over 5microns) within a system. As these particles are large enough to be trapped by a filter, this wear or debris may not be detected by the spectrometry performed during routine oil analysis. Fluid Life looks at what type of debris is getting caught in the filter, as well as what may be causing the debris generation. For more extensive information on Filter Analysis download Filter Analysis.
Optical Particle Classification (OPC)
- OPC is an effective method for determining both the presence of wear metals and contaminants in a lubricating system. A maintenance professional can then ascertain if his equipment is operating properly or if preventive maintenance is required. OPC combines the standard oil analysis technique of particle counting with an advanced shape classification system. For more extensive information on OPC please download Optical Particle Classification.
Total Magnetic Iron
- This test is a quantitative analysis of magnetic iron particle concentrations in a lubricant. The test focuses on ferrous particles and ignores alloys, rust and contaminants that would be detected by other testing. Fluid Life reports results in ppm (parts per million) down to a concentration of <4 ppm. For more extensive information on Total Magnetic Iron download Total Magnetic Iron.
X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry
- Provides quantitative and qualitative elemental composition. X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) does not have a particle size cutoff and can be used to measure particles of any size. This provides our customers with critical large particle detection and identification that could predict failures in advance of other methods. For more extensive information on X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry download X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry.
For complete information regarding Common Wear Mechanisms please download Common Wear Mechanisms.