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Lubricant Analysis

Lubricant Analysis in the Fuels and Lubricants Research Division offers a wide variety of industry and O.E.M. tests necessary to support product development and assure compliance to a wide range of specifications.

Ken Jacks, Manager
Becky Grinfield, Senior Research Scientist
Mike Birke, Senior Research Scientist
Janet Barker, Senior Research Scientist

Variables typically monitored include:

  • Viscosity
  • Elemental analysis
  • Oxidation
  • Nitration
  • Additive depletion
  • Base number
  • Fuel dilution
  • Water dilution
  • Antifreeze dilution
  • Soot (TGA)

Other services offered by the laboratory include:

  • Alternative for Used Oil Analysis
  • Crankcase, gear, and two-cycle oil evaluations
  • Automatic transmission fluids analysis (DexronTM and MerconTM approved laboratory)
  • Antifreeze coolant analysis
  • Oil additive (Boost and Blend)
  • Oil filter evaluation, using SAE J905 fuel filter test stand, SwRI-built SAE HS806 test stand, and multi-pass SAE J1858 test stand, and various ISO standards
  • High- and low-temperature viscosities
  • NOACK evaporation
  • Elemental content
  • Thermal stability
  • Oxidation, nitration, contamination
  • Foam, miscibility, compatibility
  • Fuel dilution
  • Corrosion bench test
  • Gelation index
  • TEOST MHT-4 and TEOST 33C
  • European Bench Test
  • Elastomer compatibility
  • Thermal analysis, TGA and DSC
  • Oxidation, rust
  • Copper corrosion
  • Shear stability
  • Coefficient of friction
  • Foam, miscibility, compatibility
  • Seal compatibility
  • Extreme pressure and wear
  • Thermal stability
  • Low-temperature viscosity
  • Microwave digestion on non-traditional samples

Division Publications


Petroleum Products Research Department
Fuels and Lubricants Research Division
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January 24, 2012