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	Noack volatility apparatus

The Noack volatility procedure is an API CJ-4-approved test that measures evaporation loss of engine lubricants. Where high temperatures occur, portions of an oil can evaporate. Evaporation may contribute to oil consumption in an engine and can lead to a change in the properties of an oil.

Some engine manufacturers, when specifying a maximum allowable evaporation loss, quote the Noack volatility evaluation test method along with the specifications. Procedure C, using the Selby-Noack apparatus, also permits collection of the volatile oil vapors for determination of their physical and chemical properties. Elemental analysis of the collected volatiles may be helpful in identifying components such as phosphorous, which has been linked to premature degradation of the emissions system catalyst.

Noack Volatility Apparatus

The procedure uses a Noack evaporative tester comprised of the following pieces:

• Electrically heated block unit made from a malleable aluminum alloy insulated at the inlet and base against heat loss

• Evaporating crucible

• Crucible clamp and spanner

• Reamer

• Ball bearing

• Thermometer

• Contact-type control thermometer

• Glass delivery tubes

• Two glass bottles

• Monometer

• Glass T-piece

• Vacuum pump

• Timer

• Silicone rubber tubing.

Noack Volatility Test Method

A measured quantity of sample is placed in an evaporation crucible or reaction flask that is then heated to 250°C with a constant flow of air drawn through it for 60 minutes. The loss in mass of the oil is determined. This evaluation method covers three procedures for determining the evaporation loss of lubricating oils (particularly engine oils):

• Procedure A uses the Noack evaporative tester equipment

• Procedure B uses the automated non-Wood’s metal Noack evaporative apparatus

• Procedure C uses Selby-Noack volatility test equipment

Procedures A and B use an electrically heated block to heat a steel crucible, where Procedure C heats the glass reaction flask with an electric heating element. A vacuum pump maintains a constant flow of air across the surface of the sample.

Pass/Fail Criteria

For more information about our Noack volatility capabilities, or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Becky Grinfield at bgrinfield@swri.org or (210) 522-3652.
 

noackvolatility.swri.org

| Engine Lubricants Research Department | Fuels and Lubricants Research Division | SwRI Home |

Southwest Research Institute^® (SwRI^®), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a multidisciplinary, independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 11 technical divisions.

December 28, 2012