DIN 51399-1 Testing of Lubricants - Determination of Elemental Content in Additives, Wear and Other Contaminants - Part 1: Direct Determination by Optical Emission Spectral Analysis with Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP OES)

The standard “DIN 51399-1 Testing of lubricants - Determination of elemental content in additives, wear and other contaminants - Part 1: Direct determination by optical emission spectral analysis with inductively coupled plasma (ICP OES)” developed by the German Institute for Standardization (DIN) describes a test method for the direct determination of elemental content in additives, wear and other contaminants.

The determination is carried out using optical spectral analysis with inductively coupled plasma (ICP OES). This standard provides a test method for the determination of the elements listed in virgin and used mineral oils, which may arise from additive content, wear or impurities. In particular, these are the following elements: barium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, sodium, potassium, iron, silicon, sulfur, molybdenum, copper, phosphorus, boron, aluminium, tin, lead, nickel and chromium.

This standard applies to all mineral oils. The test method described is the preferred method for determining multiple elements simultaneously in a mineral oil using inductively coupled plasma. However, other standards are available that often define the specific concerns of these elements in more detail to address specific issues.

Elemental analysis of oils is important for new and used lubricants. Wear metals in lubricants such as aluminum, copper, nickel or iron can indicate wear of any oil-wetted component and whether the level of wear is critical. Other elements such as silicon, magnesium or potassium indicate contamination of the oil. The correct inclusion of elements such as molybdenum, calcium, barium, phosphorus and zinc should be monitored. In these cases, the sensitivity of analytical results is critical.

Because of its multi-element capability, wide dynamic linear range, stability, and low detection limits, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) is accepted and recommended in several standard procedures for the analysis of oils.

Material identification is crucial for quality assurance and the analysis of defects and their causes. In the case of metals and their alloys, identification is based on inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence methods. The use of additional techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and chromatography allows the identification of substances present on the surface of the tested material and the determination of whether the presence of these substances is intentional or the result of contamination.

In short, this procedure covers the rapid determination of a large number of elements in lubricating oils and base oils, allowing rapid screening of used oils for signs of wear. In addition, this test method covers a wide range of metals in pure and re-refined base oils.

When the additive package is the predominant source of additive elements in used lubricants, significant differences between the concentrations of additive elements and their specifications may indicate that the wrong oil is being used. Concentrations of wear metals may be indicative of abnormal wear if baseline concentration data are available for comparison. A significant increase in sodium or potassium levels may indicate contamination from equipment coolant leakage. This test method can be used to monitor equipment condition and identify when corrective action is necessary.

Our organization has a strong staff that closely follows the developments in science and technology in the world and constantly improves itself. Among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies provided for businesses in various sectors, there are also test services in accordance with the standard “DIN 51399-1 Testing of lubricants - Determination of elemental content in additives, wear and other contaminants - Part 1: Direct determination by optical emission spectral analysis with inductively coupled plasma (ICP OES)”.