Grease Analysis

An indispensable lubricant for industrial machinery, bearings, gears and moving parts under heavy load, grease does not only reduce friction; it is also a critical maintenance element that provides anti-corrosion, sealing and long life guarantee. However, in order for grease to fulfill these tasks successfully, its performance must be monitored through regular analysis.

What is Grease and Why is it Important?

Grease oil is a semi-solid lubricant consisting of base oil, thickener (e.g. lithium, calcium, bentonite) and performance enhancing additives. Greases are particularly preferred for the following conditions:

• Systems operating under high pressure and temperature
• Closed or hard-to-access machines
• Long-term lubrication requirements

However, over time, greases also deteriorate, become contaminated or fail to fulfill their function. This is why grease analysis is important to prevent breakdowns and reduce maintenance costs.

The function of grease is to stay in contact with surfaces and lubricate them without leakage due to centrifugal forces or pressures. At the same time, grease must be able to flow through all components it is intended to lubricate.

Condition-based grease analysis can identify changes in the consistency, viscosity and oxidation stability of grease and help determine its remaining useful life. Contamination, base oil depletion and various mechanical issues can affect the grease's ability to remain in contact with and protect metal surfaces. Analyses should be carried out on the grease in order to identify this situation in advance and to detect negative effects. 

Why Grease Oil Analysis Should Be Performed?

• Prevents unplanned downtime
• Detects machine failures early
• Shows signs of wear and corrosion
• Optimizes oil change intervals
• Reduces maintenance costs

Main Tests Applied in Grease Oil Analysis

1. Determination of Additives, Wear Metals, Pollutants
2. Determination of Flash Point
3. Water Quantity Test
4. Oxidation Stability
5. Total Acid Number (TAN) Determination
6. Viscosity Index Calculation

Grease is not only a lubricant, but also a condition monitoring tool. With the right analysis, you can know not only about the health of the grease, but also about the health of the equipment. Regular grease analysis is therefore an essential part of modern maintenance strategies.

In our laboratories serving in many parts of Turkey, Grease Oil Analysis is carried out in accordance with the relevant legal regulations and standards.