14/04/12
We have recently come across this rather thorough yet simple explanation of How Filters Work to Control Contamination. The article was written in 2001 but still makes for an interesting read today.
This would be a good time to expand on the test methods and the obvious one to cover today will be Particle Counting. We can offer both the Instrumental Particle Count and Optical Microscopy or “Patch Test” method (our preferred choice as it offers more detail of the debris present in the sample, including an image of the contaminants). An example of a few of the patches can be seen below.
Any of these are bad news!
13/04/12
Continuing introduction of the key oil analysis tests offered at the lab we would like to draw your attention to this 7 minute video on Elemental Analysis of Industrial Lubricants. It covers the basic principles of elemental analysis and introduces the two types of instruments that are most commonly used. We have recently switched from using a rot-rode spectrometer to a new ICP, although the rot-rode is still used for grease and aqueous samples and as back up.
23/03/2012
One of the reasons for running our virgin oil promotion was to raise awareness of issues surrounding storage and handling of new oils - in particular use of incorrect oils caused by poor procedures. The following short article from the Machinery Lubrication magazine gives simple Tips for Reducing Wrong Oil Mistakes.
We will also use this section to profile some of the tests offered at the lab. We'll start with the basics and today we'll cover Analyzing Water in Oil. The test is part of our basic package of oil analysis, but the challenges it poses are far from simple. Find out about this oil test in the article.
13/03/2012
We will start the articles section off with the basics
Oil Sampling Do's and Don'ts and other useful advice from the Machinery Lubrication magazine.
12/03/2012
The virgin oil analysis offer has now finished. We've had a good response to the promotion and will be looking at offering further deals in future. There will be warning of these here in the news section and in the results email signatures.
We will also start posting links to interesting articles on lubrication and oil analysis, so drop by every month to see what we've been looking at. The plan is to expand this web site and provide useful information about the lab, the tests we carry out and lubrication and oil analysis as a whole. If you have any ideas and suggestions feel free to drop us a line at oiltest@trib.co.uk
20/01/2012
We are starting 2012 with our first special offer - free virgin oil analysis for everyone! You can find out more about it here.
We are already seeing some good responses to this promotion and plan to come up with more offer ideas throughout the year. The underlying theme of each offer is intended to promote good sampling and analysis practice. Regular virgin oil analysis is important as both an auditing tool for your oil supplies and as a reference for analysis of regular samples. Remember to provide samples of any new oils you start to use and send refresher samples of your regular bulk oils at least once every few years.