Ubricating Oil Evaporation Loss Tester – Understanding Evaporation Mechanisms

Lubricating Oil Evaporation Loss Tester – Understanding Evaporation Mechanisms

Introduction
Changsha Friend Experimental Analysis Instrument Co., Ltd offers a Lubricating Oil Evaporation Loss Tester designed to characterize the volatility profile of engine and industrial oils under controlled temperature conditions. Volatility, defined by the mass loss when an oil sample is subjected to elevated temperatures and airflow, affects lubricant performance, deposit tendencies, and overall engine health.

Principle of Operation
The tester heats a precisely weighed oil sample—typically 50 mL—to a defined temperature (e.g., 250 °C) while a regulated airstream flows over it. The mass loss before and after heating quantifies the evaporation loss. This measurement adheres to industry standards such as ASTM D5800 and approximates conditions found in high-temperature engine environments.

Key Components

• Heating Chamber: Maintains uniform temperature with PID control.

• Airflow Control: Ensures consistent volumetric flow, often via mass flow meters.

• Analytical Balance: High-precision balance (±0.1 mg) for pre- and post-test weighing.

• Sample Holder: Corrosion-resistant materials (e.g., stainless steel) to prevent interference.

Applications and Impact
Evaporation loss data guides formulation of base oils and additive packages. Lower volatility grades reduce consumption and deposit formation in turbochargers and piston rings. Quality control labs use these testers to certify batch consistency and compare candidate formulations.

Operational Best Practices

• Sample Preparation: Filter to 0.5 μm to remove particulates.

• Temperature Calibration: Verify chamber uniformity with external thermocouples.

• Air Purity: Use dry, oil-free compressed air to avoid contamination.

• Maintenance: Inspect seals and replace sample crucibles periodically to maintain repeatability.