Lubricant analyses
Overview
In our test laboratory, we can analyze and compare your lubricants and test them for suitability with different materials. Our analysis portfolio includes all relevant physical and chemical parameters: Viscosity measurements at various temperatures, viscosity index, density, flash point, pour point and dropping point. We use infrared spectroscopy to identify base oil types and additive packages. Rheological tests reveal the flow behavior under shear. Tribological tests on our test benches determine friction values, wear rates and load-bearing capacity. Compatibility testing with your specific materials is particularly important - from metals and plastics to elastomers. We simulate real operating conditions and evaluate the performance.
If corrosion is an important issue in your application, we can carry out extensive corrosion tests for you using different lubricants and material pairings. Corrosion can drastically reduce the service life of components and lead to costly failures. Microscopic examinations document the progress and types of corrosion. Our expertise will help you to find the optimum corrosion protection for your application.
The ageing of a lubricant is a key quality feature. We have various methods for testing and comparing the ageing of lubricants. Lubricants age through oxidation, thermal degradation, shearing and contamination. Our ageing tests simulate these processes under accelerated conditions. Thermal stress tests in our ovens simulate years of high temperature use in just a few weeks. During the tests, we continuously monitor viscosity changes, acid number, saponification number and metal content. The results enable precise predictions to be made regarding service life and optimum replacement intervals. This allows you to avoid both premature failures and unnecessary lubricant changes.
The true performance of a lubricant is revealed under load. Our tribological test rigs simulate real load situations and quantify the performance. All tests can be carried out at different temperatures, speeds and loads. Modern measurement technology continuously records friction torque, temperature and wear particles. Surface analyses using microscopy reveal wear mechanisms. This comprehensive data enables well-founded statements to be made about suitability for your specific application.
Lubricants must be compatible with all contact materials. Our compatibility tests cover metals, plastics, elastomers and coatings. Our database contains the results of thousands of tests and helps with quick pre-selection. For new materials, we develop tailor-made test programs that cover all critical interactions.