Effective lubricant analysis with affirmative results
Why wait in line for results from your in-service lubricant testing lab or outside vendor?
Bring an affordable solution into your working lab with the Thermo Scientific™ Affirma™ In-service Lubricant Analysis System. Save time and money as you quickly acquire data with pre-programmed methods that help you manage your used-oil condition monitoring program and predictive maintenance program.
FTIR analysis for lubricant condition monitoring
Save on costly repairs and optimize formulations
The analysis of lubricants used to run machinery is a vital tool for minimizing machinery downtime and extending drain intervals. Like a blood test in medical diagnostics, regular testing of in-service lubricating fluids provides useful data that informs actions and decisions. As a key component of predictive maintenance, an effective lubricant condition monitoring program helps machinery owners detect potential failures early to prevent costly mechanical damage. At the same time, routine lubricant analysis can help save money by allowing lubricants to be changed less frequently.
Problems identified with FTIR-based in-service lubricant monitoring
| Lubricant Problem | Infrared Measurement | Out-of-Range Consequences |
|---|---|---|
Additive Depletion | Phosphate anti-wear (combustion) | May result in increased wear |
| Phenolic antioxidant (turbine, electrical) | Accelerated oxidation |
Breakdown | Oxidation, nitration, sulfation | Decreased lubricity leads to potential damage to metal surfaces |
Contamination | Water, glycol, fuel | Possible mechanical problem |
| Soot (diesel only) | May lead to clogged filters or excess wear |
Multiple analytical techniques are used to assess critical lubricant and mechanical system parameters as part of a lubricant condition monitoring program. Infrared spectroscopy is a rapid test that provides molecular information about changes in these parameters to help alert users to different problems. In addition, FTIR spectrometers can be used as a general tool for material identification and verification from R&D to quality control, maximizing your analytical capabilities. Whether you manufacture lubricants, manage fleets of vehicles, or provide contract lubricant testing services, rely on Affirma analysis to confirm the status of your vehicles and lubricants.
Affirma software workflow for lubricant monitoring
Affirma in-service lubricant analysis provides turnkey operation and delivers the results you expect based on industry-standard methods including ASTM D2668, D7412, D7414, D7415, D7418, D7624, E2412; JOAP; DIN 51452, and DIN 51453. Powered by push-button Thermo Scientific™ OMNIC™ Schema Software, the Affirma system provides ready-to-use solutions for monitoring in-service lubricants:
Examples of Affirma guided analysis workflows
- Minimal training needed: modern, easy-to-use graphical interface allows even operators with little experience to measure samples
- Easy set-up: complete quick-start guides and on-screen instructions step you through set-up and operation in minutes
- Automated reporting and connectivity: method-specific reports are quickly generated and results can be printed or sent directly to your LIMS or to colleagues
Be confident in Affirma results to make critical decisions that affect your budget and your operations.
Selection guide
Affirma in-service lubricant analysis – sampling options
We combine our market-leading Thermo Scientific™ Nicolet™ Summit™ X FTIR Spectrometer or Nicolet iS20 FTIR Spectrometer with a liquid sampling accessory, guided graphical workflow software, and industry-standard methods to create a complete in-service lubricant analysis system. Three sampling options are available that allow you to choose the configuration best suited to your sample processing needs.
What spectrometer should I choose?
If you need a dedicated FTIR spectrometer for used oil analysis, we recommend choosing the Affirma Summit X Analysis System based on the Nicolet Summit X FTIR Spectrometer-based system. If you want a higher performance spectrometer with greater flexibility for applications that go beyond oil analysis methods, we recommend the Affirma iS20 analysis system based on the Nicolet iS20 FTIR Spectrometer. If you already own one of these spectrometers, you can purchase the Affirma in-service lubricant application package for the designated spectrometer that contains one or three accessory options with the Affirma workflow software.
Choose the configuration that best fits your needs:
Horizontal transmission sampling (HTRN):
- Ensure direct compliance with ASTM E2412 and D7418 in-service lubricant methods
- Have greater flexibility to easily analyze highly viscous oils and greases
- Cost-effectively change to different methods that require longer or shorter pathlengths
- Minimize sample and solvent use
- Available for both Nicolet iS20 (shown) and Nicolet Summit X
Flow-through Transmission sampling (FTRN):
- Ensure direct compliance with ASTM E2412 and D7418 in-service lubricant methods
- Avoid contacting cell windows to ensure the longest cell life
- Fill and clean the cell using a syringe to minimize operator delivery exposure
- Have a flow cell that can be used manually or be connected to a pumping system
- Available for both Nicolet iS20 (shown) and Nicolet Summit X
Horizontal ATR sampling (HATR):
- Greater flexibility to easily analyze highly viscous oils and greases
- Analyze high soot containing samples with better linearity
- Open access for the easiest cell filling and cleaning
- Minimize sample and solvent use
- Available for both Nicolet iS20 and Nicolet Summit X (shown)
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