Base Oil Testing — Characterization, Quality and Compliance

Base oil are the primary component of lubricants and greases. AGT Labs provides a comprehensive characterization package across API Groups I–V: color, corrosion tendency, carbon residue, nonvolatile matter, odor evaluation, refractive index, electrical conductivity, hydrocarbon composition and detailed GC-based analysis.

We support producers, blenders, additive houses and QC laboratories by verifying raw material quality, confirming API group classification, detecting contamination or mis-blending, and carrying out compatibility checks with additive concentrates. Our data supports supply acceptance, blend formulation and failure investigations.

Who benefits: base oil producers, lubricant manufacturers, additive formulators, MROs, and quality control laboratories.

Service Highlights

API Group classification (I–V) and detailed physical property profile (color, corrosion behavior, carbon residue, nonvolatile residue,).
Contamination screening: water, insolubles, metals (ICP), and trace heteroatoms (S, N, Cl).
Compatibility checks with additive packages and blend validation; forensic trace-element fingerprinting for supplier disputes.

Industries We Serve

Base Oil Producers — production QC, hydrotreating verification and product release testing.
Lubricant & Grease Manufacturers — incoming raw material checks and blend validation.
Additive Houses — compatibility testing and concentrate evaluation.
OEMs, MROs & QC Labs — vendor qualification and failure analysis support.

Laboratory Capabilities & Instrumentation

Analytical Systems

GC-FID / GC-MS for hydrocarbon profiling and aromatics; ICP-OES / ICP-MS for trace elements; Automated viscometers, pour/flash point analyzers, Karl Fischer titration, titrators for TAN and potentiometric endpoints, and bench stability rigs for compatibility testing.

Quality Systems

ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited testing across many basestock methods (certificate & scope available on request).
Traceable calibrations, CRMs, method verification and participation in proficiency testing programs.
Documented measurement uncertainty reported when required.

Sampling, Handling & Chain of Custody

Representative sampling is essential. AGT Labs supplies sampling kits or accepts client-supplied samples accompanied by a completed Chain of Custody (CoC). Follow these guidelines to preserve sample integrity:

Containers & Handling

Use clean amber glass or metal-lined containers; avoid plastic where migration/adsorption is a concern.
Minimize headspace for volatile-sensitive tests; seal caps tightly.
Label samples with sample ID, product name, batch, sampling point, date/time and sampler name.

Transport & Storage

Transport at ambient unless otherwise requested; avoid prolonged exposure to heat.
For oxidative-sensitive samples, store cool and test promptly; use inert headspace purge if required.
Log sample condition on receipt (temperature, appearance, leaks) and note on CoC.

Quality Assurance, Reporting & Interpretation

Each report includes a Certificate of Analysis (COA) listing methods used, results, units, measurement uncertainty (where applicable), analyst initials and authorized signatory. For deviations or OOS results, we provide interpretive commentary and recommended next steps.

COA Contents: Client & sample ID, test methods, results, MU, acceptance criteria if provided, and interpretive comments.
Data Delivery: PDFs via secure portal; raw data (CSV, chromatograms) on request.
Technical Support: Consultation for blend optimization, supplier disputes and forensic analysis.

Standards & Accreditation

Testing follows recognized standards (ASTM D1209, D6045, D130 / D849 / D1838, D524, D2109, D1353, etc.). AGT Labs is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for many methods — full certificate and scope are available on request.

FAQs — Base Oil

What sample volume do you need for a full characterization?

For a full characterization panel we recommend 500–1000 mL to allow repeats and stability trials; many single tests accept 25–100 mL.

Can you classify API groups?

Yes — using saturation/aromatic analysis and distillation/viscosity data we assign API group and advise on performance expectations.

Do you test additive compatibility?

Yes — we perform bench compatibility and accelerated aging with common additive chemistries to screen for precipitation, color change or loss of key properties.

Deliverables & Value-Added Services

COA with methods, units, and measurement uncertainty.
Interpretive summary and recommended actions for OOS results.
Raw data and chromatograms available on request.
On-site sampling, technical consultation, and dispute support (by arrangement).

Summary

AGT Labs’ Base Oil Testing provides industry-grade characterization and forensic analysis to support product release, blend design and supplier qualification — delivered with traceable methods and flexible packages to match your needs.

Base Oil Testing