Degradation 2A – Oxidation Measurement

Oxidation is one of the primary mechanisms of lubricant degradation, leading to increased acidity, viscosity changes, sludge and varnish formation, and a decline in overall lubricant performance. Left unchecked, oxidative degradation can result in premature equipment failure, increased maintenance costs, and reduced operational efficiency. Measuring oxidation levels in lubricants is essential for monitoring oil condition, predicting oil life, and implementing timely maintenance interventions.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of various analytical techniques used to measure oxidation in lubrication systems. Participants will learn about different laboratory and field tests, their principles, how they detect oxidative degradation, and how to interpret results to make informed maintenance decisions. The course covers industry-standard testing methods such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Total Acid Number (TAN), Rotating Pressure Vessel Oxidation Test (RPVOT), RULER (Remaining Useful Life Evaluation Routine), TOST (Turbine Oil Stability Test), Panel Coker, and oxidation induction methods (OOT and OIT).

Designed for maintenance professionals, reliability engineers, and lubrication specialists, this course equips participants with the knowledge and tools to proactively monitor and manage lubricant oxidation, optimize oil change intervals, and improve machine reliability.

Course Modules:
Degradation 02A – 01 FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy)
Understand how FTIR is used to detect oxidation by identifying molecular changes in oil chemistry, tracking oxidation byproducts, and providing real-time lubricant condition monitoring.

Degradation 02A – 02 TAN (Total Acid Number)
Learn how TAN measurements indicate oil oxidation severity by tracking the accumulation of acidic compounds, which contribute to corrosion and lubricant breakdown.

Degradation 02A – 03 RPVOT (Rotating Pressure Vessel Oxidation Test)
Explore the RPVOT test, a predictive method that assesses an oil’s resistance to oxidation under accelerated conditions, helping determine remaining antioxidant capacity.

Degradation 02A – 04 RULER (Remaining Useful Life Evaluation Routine)
Discover how the RULER test measures the depletion of antioxidant additives in lubricants, providing insight into the remaining oxidation protection and oil life expectancy.

Degradation 02A – 05 TOST (Turbine Oil Stability Test)
Examine the TOST test, an industry-standard method for evaluating the long-term oxidative stability of turbine oils, hydraulic fluids, and other industrial lubricants.

Degradation 02A – 06 Panel Coker
Learn how the Panel Coker test is used to assess an oil’s tendency to form deposits, varnish, and coke under high-temperature conditions, providing insight into oxidation-related sludge formation.

Degradation 02A – 07 OOT and OIT (Oxidation Onset Temperature & Oxidation Induction Time)
Understand how OOT and OIT tests use thermal analysis techniques to measure the oxidation resistance of lubricants and predict oil longevity under operating conditions.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the impact of oxidation on lubricants and its effect on equipment performance.
• Learn about different oxidation measurement techniques and how they help monitor oil condition.
• Interpret results from FTIR, TAN, RPVOT, RULER, TOST, and other oxidation tests to assess oil degradation.
• Develop proactive lubrication maintenance strategies to extend oil life and improve system reliability.
• Select appropriate oxidation testing methods based on lubricant type, operating environment, and industry requirements.

This course is ideal for lubrication engineers, maintenance professionals, and reliability specialists looking to enhance their ability to monitor and manage oxidation in lubrication systems. By mastering oxidation measurement techniques, participants will be able to optimize lubricant performance, prevent unexpected failures, and reduce maintenance costs.