In most machines, signs of a possible problem appear hundreds of operating hours before the breakdown occurs. When components are not in alignment, out of balance, or running with dirty or inadequate lubricant, minute particles of metal begin to appear as soon as the moving parts touch each other.

    At the Lubricant Analysis Lab, we can detect these microscopic wear particles long before your equipment starts to vibrate, heat up or show observable signs of wear. With the analysis data we provide, you can troubleshoot and correct minor problems before they become major problems. As a result you’ll be able to reduce your equipment downtime, optimize your oil change intervals and save on maintenance costs.
SKF Oil Analysis

Early warning protection against costly machine breakdown

The standard oil analysis is designed to monitor three critical parameters:

• Wear rates
• Contamination levels
• Oil degradation characteristics

Each oil sample undergoes spectral analysis for 18 metals. The Standard Analysis Report will show you exactly how your oil is performing in these critical areas.

    These easy-to-read reports include written descriptions of problems, possible sources and recommended corrective actions. Graphs and lab data show trends over time, and bold red underlines are used to indicate any abnormal or critical findings. (Note: Critical data is phoned or faxed to you immediately.)

    In addition, the completed Customer Information Form (which is included in the Oil Sample Kit) automatically alerts the lab to problems that are common to your machine. So your Standard Lubricant Analysis Package will include tests for those problems as well.
Additional Analysis

The Standard Oil Analysis is quite comprehensive and in most cases no further testing will be necessary to diagnose equipment problems quickly and accurately. But if symptoms suggesting imminent failure, badly degraded oil or unacceptable contamination levels are detected, follow-up testing may be required. And the lab has several hundred methods of analysis available, for almost any conceivable application.

    These specialized tests such as Emission Spectroscopy, Wear Particle Analysis, Remaining Useful Life Evaluation Routine – become even more important when a machine fails. Getting a down machine back on-line as fast as possible is important. But it’s just as important to know why it failed – to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen again. If you have a recurring machine problem, these tests can help solve it.
Grease Analysis

Another valuable diagnostic tool for condition monitoring
As with oil, grease analysis is a valuable diagnostic tool for condition monitoring. Samples may be submitted individually for evaluation of a special problem. Or, they may be tested over time to establish a baseline for use as a predictive maintenance tool.

    When tracking grease analysis over time and comparing the results to new grease, the rates of contamination ingress and changes in grease consistency can be monitored. Knowing these critical characteristics, you can then make better informed maintenance decisions and be assured that you are taking the right steps to protect your investment in time, manpower and machinery.
Contamination and Bearing Damage

Contamination is detrimental to the lubricating quality of grease – whether the contamination is from water, dirt or another grease. If contamination goes undetected, it can cause bearing failure. And when bearings fail prematurely, the costs, in terms of downtime and lost productivity, can be far more than the cost of replacing the bearing.
Early detection and correction of grease contamination problems will greatly reduce the risk of bearing damage. SKF grease analysis offers everything you need to eliminate contamination problems and keep your bearings and machinery running smoothly.
SKF Grease Analysis

Grease analysis starts with a visual and physical inspection of the grease sample, comparing the texture, color and consistency of the used grease to new grease. Then, concentrations of particulate contamination and trace concentrations of water are measured.

    Once satisfied that the used grease looks, acts and feels like the clean, water-free new sample, the organic material found in the grease is evaluated using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry (FTIS).
Each type of grease has its own “fingerprint.” And when used grease is compared to new (unused) grease, it is possible to determine each of the following:

• Cross-contamination with other greases
• Particulate contamination
• Water contamination
• Grease consistency

To find out more about the SKF Lubricant Analysis Program, contact your local SKF Representative or your SKF Authorized Distributor and ask for publication no. 915-611, “Lubricant Analysis Services.”
SKF Lubricant Analysis Services are provided by Herguth Laboratories, Inc.