FINA Lubricants Spectrometal

Spectrometal (Spectrochemical Metallic Elements)

Glossary Description: Any of several techniques for detecting and quantifying trace metallic elements, in which the sample is energized to make the element(s) emit or absorb a quantifiable amount of light energy.

Technical overview: SP (Spectrochemical metallic elements) is confined to the consistent measurement of metallic particles <8 microns in size and is thus limited on detecting catastrophic failures. In some applications, it is a weaker alternative. There is insufficient energy available (in the standard process) to enable ionization of particles well below 8 microns (varying according to the type of spectrometer and the element one is attempting to detect, as well as the form the elements is in), which must occur if spectral energy is to be developed.

Because spectrochemical analysis is particularly effective for detecting extremely small particles (the smaller the better) it is one of the tests LEAST affected by the sampling technique. Sampling location however, should always be constant

Two spectrochemical methods prevail today: EMISSION and ABSORPTION.

Method 1--EMISSION – The sample is energized via electric arc. The elements emit discrete wavelengths of energy. Photomultiplier tubes (at least one for each element of interest) measures the amount of energy for each element. Energy measured is proportional to the concentration of each respective element.

Method 2--ABSORPTION – The element of interest absorbs light energy emitted from a tube whose cathode is made of that element. Absorption technique is confined to one element at a time.

Reporting units: Parts-per-million (ppm) by weight. 1 ppm – 0.0001%

Repeatability: (approx.): 1-20 ppm (+/- 1ppm); 20-500 (+/- 5%); 500+ (+/- 8-10%)

Interpretation: Spectrochemical metallic element (SP) testing provides information on three distinct areas of interest: CORROSION or FRICTION WEAR, CONTAMINATION, ADDITIVES.

Corrosion/Friction Wear metallic elements: Iron, Chrome, Molybdenum, Aluminum, Lead, Copper, Tin, Nickel, Silver, Antimony, and Titanium.

Contaminant metallic elements: Silicon, Sodium, Potassium, and Boron.

Additive metallic elements: Magnesium, Calcium, Barium, Phosphorus, and Zinc.

Limits:

Some manufacturers have specifications for SP limits, but this is generally inadvisable, as there are too many variables, which affect results, among them:

v Dispersion characteristics of the additive package which helps hold metals in suspension

v Filtration scheme and equipment

v Lube consumption which dilutes values

v Equipment application

v Manufacturer and model of component

v Fluid and unit service time

Wear trends take into account the unique characteristics of equipment and are, therefore, more reliable than limits.

Suggested Application: All systems benefit from this test. It is very inexpensive for the amount of potential information it can provide. While less effective in rotary systems, it is still very useful. - Special Note: The listing above provides only the primary situation in which one may detect the metallic elements. In reality, nearly every element can fit into all three categories and many fit into two routinely.

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