A wide variety of fleet and industrial applications rely on the power of compressed air. The compressors themselves are mechanical devices that increase pressure on a liquid and then move it through a mechanical system. Air compressors achieve this increase in pressure by taking in a large volume of air and compressing it to a significantly smaller volume.
In order to do this job effectively, compressors must use oil. The quality of this oil needs to be top-notch, so compressor oil analysis is essential for any business that uses compressors. Discover what factors this type of analysis looks at and you will better understand what standard you need to reach for your compressor oil.
- Viscosity: About 89% of surveyed lubrication professionals consider the viscosity index of oil when selecting a lubricant, but this quality is also important when you conduct an oil analysis. As a measure of the fluid’s resistance to flow, a stable viscosity indicates that nothing is amiss with the lubricant.
- pH: This is one of the most important qualities of compressor oil. A lubricant’s pH measures the relative strength of the acids that are in the oil. When the pH rapidly or excessively decreases, it can indicate that the fluid has ingested acid gases or other contaminants from the environment.
- Contaminants: A more general measure of lubricant quality, contaminants can include anything in the lubricant that should not be there. When operators of industrial air compressor parts mix fluid types, contamination can easily occur. Even relatively minor contamination can compromise the life of the fluid.
- Total Acid Number: The total acid number, also known as TAN, is essential for a comprehensive compressor oil analysis. The TAN indicates a lubricant’s oxidative state and its remaining useful life. It determines this by measuring the oil’s total concentration of acids, both weak and strong.
- High Particulate: A fluid’s cleanliness has a significant impact on the life of a machine’s bearings. The number of particles in a fluid can compromise its cleanliness.
When you don’t properly maintain the lubricant for your compressors, you run the risk of damaging your machine. Contact us today to learn more about how your industry can benefit from synthetic compressor oil analysis.