Lube oil testing is a diagnostic analysis of used or fresh lubricating oil to assess its condition and the health of the machine. It checks 4 things: 1) Physical properties (can it still lubricate?), 2) Chemical degradation (is the oil exhausted?), 3) Contamination (what is entering the oil?), and 4) Wear metals (which part is wearing?). It prevents catastrophic failure 100-200 hours in advance and saves up to 40% on lube cost.

A complete lube oil analysis at Accredited Test Labs includes: Kinematic Viscosity @ 40°C & 100°C (ASTM D445), Viscosity Index, TAN – Total Acid Number (ASTM D664), TBN – Total Base Number (ASTM D2896), Water content by Karl Fischer (ASTM D6304), Particle Count ISO 4406 (ASTM D7647), Flash Point & Pour Point, Fuel Dilution & Soot Content, Oxidation/Nitration/Sulfation by FTIR, and Spectrometric Wear Metal Analysis (Fe, Cu, Pb, Cr, Al) by ICP plus PQ Index / Ferrography.

Kinematic Viscosity @ 40°C and 100°C is the MOST important test. It measures the oil’s thickness and flow resistance. A change in viscosity indicates fuel dilution, wrong oil top-up, oxidation, or water contamination. If viscosity is out of spec, the oil cannot form a protective film, leading to metal-to-metal contact and equipment seizure.

Total Acid Number (TAN) measures acidic by-products from oxidation. If TAN increases, oil is oxidizing and forming sludge and varnish. Total Base Number (TBN) measures the alkaline reserve in engine oils to neutralize acids. When TBN drops below 50% of fresh oil value or TAN sharply increases, oil must be changed. This condition-based monitoring avoids early or late changes and saves up to 40% on lube oil cost.

Wear metal analysis is like a blood test for your machine. Using ICP spectrometry we detect metals in ppm: Iron (Fe) = Cylinder liners, Gears, Shaft wear; Copper (Cu) & Lead (Pb) = Bearing wear; Chromium (Cr) = Piston ring wear; Aluminium (Al) = Piston wear. PQ Index and Analytical Ferrography detect large wear particles that spectrometers miss, giving early warning of failure.

Recommended frequency: Diesel engines – every 250 hours or monthly, Hydraulic systems – every 500 hours or quarterly, Turbines & Compressors – monthly to quarterly, Gearboxes – every 6 months. For critical marine vessels, power plants, and cement plants in the Middle East, we recommend monthly trend analysis to track wear progression.

All tests are performed in ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories as per ASTM, IP, and ISO standards. Examples: ASTM D445 for Viscosity, ASTM D664 / D974 for TAN, ASTM D2896 for TBN, ASTM D6304 for Water by Karl Fischer, ASTM D6595 / D5185 for Spectrometry, ASTM D7647 for Particle Count, ISO 4406 for Cleanliness Code, ASTM D92 for Flash Point.

We provide lube oil testing globally with strong network across Middle East: Lube oil testing in UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Sharjah), Lube Oil Analysis in KSA (Riyadh, Jubail, Dammam, Jeddah, Dhahran), Oman (Sohar, Muscat), Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq (Basra, Umm Qasr, Baghdad, Kurdistan), Egypt, Sudan and India. Samples can be collected via courier or dropped at our associate labs certified by local authorities.

Lube oil testing is the broad category covering all lubricants – engine oil, hydraulic oil, turbine oil ISO VG 46/68, gear oil, compressor oil. Engine oil analysis is a subset focused on internal combustion engines, with extra emphasis on TBN, Fuel Dilution, Soot Content, and Oxidation/Nitration from blow-by gases and combustion.

Even 0.1% (1000 ppm) water is dangerous. Water causes rust and corrosion, accelerates oxidation (increases TAN), destroys additive packages, reduces load-carrying film strength, and leads to abrasive wear. We test via Crackle test for quick screening and Karl Fischer titration (ASTM D6304) for accurate ppm levels.

Yes. Contamination is the #1 cause of premature failure. Keeping oil clean through Particle Count (ISO 4406) control can extend component life by 3-5 times. Testing also identifies faulty seals, breathers, air filters, and fuel injectors early, allows planned shutdown, prevents catastrophic breakdown, and enables condition-based oil change instead of fixed interval.

1. Take a 100ml sample in a clean, dry bottle from a live running line (mid-stream sampling). 2. Label with equipment ID, oil type, oil hours, and date. 3. Contact Accredited Test Labs for the nearest ISO certified laboratory and courier pickup. You receive an accredited report in 2-4 working days with clear diagnosis and maintenance recommendations.