Oil Analysis 2 – Standard Oil Lab Testing
Oil Analysis 2 – Standard Oil Lab Testing provides an in-depth look at the key laboratory tests used to assess lubricant condition, detect contamination, and monitor machine wear. Whether you’re sending samples to a commercial lab or running an in-house oil analysis program, understanding how these tests work—and what they mean—is critical for making accurate, data-driven maintenance decisions.
This course covers all the foundational oil analysis techniques, from viscosity measurement and elemental analysis to acid/base number testing and ferrography. Each module explains the test method, the equipment involved, and how to interpret results in the context of machine condition and lubricant health.
Designed for lubrication professionals, maintenance planners, and reliability engineers, this course will elevate your ability to read lab reports, spot early warning signs, and justify corrective action.
By completing this course, you will be able to:
- Understand how common oil tests are performed and what they reveal
- Interpret trends in TAN, TBN, wear metals, and water content
- Differentiate between additive elements and wear particles
- Use test results to detect contamination, oil degradation, and machine wear
- Build stronger condition monitoring programs based on test data




Course Syllabus
- Viscosity
- Particle Counting Methods
- FTIR
- Elemental Analysis ICP
- Total Acid Number (TAN)
- Total Base Number (TBN)
- Apparent / Initial pH (ipH)
- Direct Ferrography
- Particle Quantifier Index
- Water by Karl Fischer
- Flash Point
Who is this course for?
Condition Monitoring Technicians
Laboratory Analysts
Lubrication Engineers
Industrial Lubricants Salespeople
Reliability Engineers
Rotating Equipment Engineers
Meet the expert

Rafe Britton, the Lubrication Expert, is known within the industry for his YouTube channel and podcast, and works with mid-size industrials improve their equipment uptime while reducing the cost of their lubrication program. He is a mechanical engineer with 13 years of experience on both sides of the industry; both as an operator, and lubricant supplier. Rafe holds a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering and a Bachelor of Physics from UNSW.
Rafe is a technical committee member for the Australian Lubricants Association, a Precision Lubrication Magazine editorial board member, an advisory board member of Lubricant Expo, exam board member of the International Council of Machinery Lubrication and a technical editor of TLT, the monthly publication of the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers. Rafe is ICML MLE, MLA III, MLT II, VIM and VPR certified and is a Chartered Professional Engineer through Engineers Australia.
$50.00/ month
+50 Lubrication courses
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