Lubricant Testing Services & Tribology Analysis

Providing ISO/IEC 17025 accredited Lubricant Testing Services for total asset reliability, condition monitoring, and wear debris analysis.

Total Fluid Management & Asset Reliability

AGT Labs provides comprehensive Lubricant Testing Services and Oil Analysis to support Predictive Maintenance (PdM) programs across diverse industrial sectors. Our Houston-based laboratory serves as your partner in tribology, analyzing in-service gear oils, compressor fluids, and transmission lubricants to detect early signs of wear, contamination, and chemical degradation.

Our Lubricant Testing Services go beyond simple data points. By monitoring critical parameters like elemental wear metals, viscosity index, and particulate cleanliness, we help reliability engineers extend equipment life, optimize drain intervals, and identify root causes of failure before they impact production.

Value for Stakeholders: Plant Managers reducing unscheduled downtime through our Lubricant Testing Services, Maintenance Teams verifying fluid health, and Reliability Engineers optimizing total cost of ownership.

Accredited Lubricant Testing Services Highlights

  • Kinematic Viscosity @ 40°C & 100°C (ASTM D445)
  • Wear Metals & Additive Elements (ASTM D5185)
  • Water Contamination by Karl Fischer (ASTM D6304)
  • Total Acid Number - TAN (ASTM D664)
  • Total Base Number - TBN (ASTM D2896)
  • ISO Particle Count (ASTM D7328 / ISO 4406)
  • Oxidation & Nitration (FTIR Analysis)
  • Visual Appearance & Color (ASTM D1500)

Key Technical Parameters

Accredited analysis supporting our Lubricant Testing Services suite for diverse industrial applications.

Kin. Viscosity
ASTM D445
Wear Metals
ASTM D5185
Water Content
ASTM D6304
Total Acid No.
ASTM D664
Total Base No.
ASTM D2896
Particle Count
ASTM D7328
Oxidation
ASTM E2412
Nitration
ASTM E2412
Flash Point
ASTM D92
Color ASTM
ASTM D1500
Corrosion
ASTM D130
Insolubles
ASTM D893

Industries We Serve

Providing specialized tribology data across manufacturing and transport sectors utilizing our Lubricant Testing Services.

Manufacturing Plants

Monitoring gearboxes, pumps, and compressors to prevent production stoppages and ensure fluid cleanliness.

Fleet Maintenance

Optimizing drain intervals for heavy-duty transmission and differential fluids to reduce operating costs.

Power Generation

Ensuring reliability of auxiliary support systems, fans, and cooling pumps in critical power infrastructure.

Mining & Construction

Detecting dust ingress and wear in heavy equipment differentials and final drives operating in harsh environments.

Marine Operators

Verifying the condition of stern tube oils, thruster fluids, and general machinery lubricants on board.

Lubricant Distributors

Independent quality verification and formulation support for new product batches and customer technical services.

Laboratory Capabilities

Analytical Systems

Our Lubricant Testing Services utilize ICP-OES for multi-element analysis, FTIR spectrometers for molecular degradation tracking, and automated particle counters. We employ high-precision titration systems for acid and base number determination.

Advanced Technical Support

  • ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited Laboratory Operations
  • Trend Analysis & Historical Data Tracking
  • Rapid Turnaround for Critical Asset Monitoring
  • Customized Alarm Limits for Specific Equipment
Analytical lab instruments for lubricant testing services

Sampling, Handling & Chain of Custody

Reliable Lubricant Testing Services depend on consistent sampling practices. We provide technical sampling kits and clean bottles to ensure your sample accurately reflects the condition of the lubricant in your machine.

Download Chain of Custody Form

Containers & Handling

  • Use clean, dry plastic bottles provided in our sampling kits.
  • Flush sampling ports to remove stagnant oil and debris before collection.
  • Label clearly with Machine ID, Oil Type, and Hours to ensure accurate trending.

Transport & Logistics

  • Ship immediately to our Houston lab to minimize particle settling.
  • Ensure caps are tight to prevent leakage during transit.
  • Samples tracked via LIMS for complete historical data management.

Quality & Reporting

Reports from our Lubricant Testing Services provide actionable maintenance insights and component wear alerts.

  • ✓ Easy-to-read reports with condition status (Normal/Caution/Critical).
  • ✓ Secure Online Access to asset history.
  • ✓ Expert interpretation from certified lubrication specialists.
  • ✓ Integration with maintenance planning workflows.

Standards & Accreditation

AGT Labs is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited. We perform Lubricant Testing Services strictly adhering to ASTM and ISO technical methodologies.

ASTM D445
ASTM D5185
ASTM D664
ASTM D6304
ISO/IEC 17025
ASTM E2412

Ensuring machine reliability through traceable technical data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I test new oil deliveries?
New oil is not always clean oil. Testing new deliveries via our Lubricant Testing Services establishes a baseline for future trending and ensures the product meets cleanliness specs (ISO 4406) before it enters your machinery.
What is the difference between TAN and TBN?
TAN (Total Acid Number) measures acidity and is critical for industrial oils like gear and hydraulic fluids. TBN (Total Base Number) measures alkaline reserve and is used for engine oils to neutralize combustion acids. We test both depending on the fluid type.
How does viscosity impact equipment?
Viscosity is the most important property of a lubricant. If it's too low, metal-to-metal contact occurs (wear). If it's too high, fluid friction increases (heat/power loss). Our Lubricant Testing Services track this closely to ensure optimal film strength.
Can you detect mixing of different oils?
Yes, incompatible fluids often show changes in additive signatures (e.g., mixing zinc-based with ashless oils) or rapid viscosity shifts. Our elemental analysis identifies these cross-contamination issues.

Optimize Your Maintenance with Lubricant Testing Services

Need reliable condition monitoring for your industrial or fleet assets? Contact our Houston technical team today for a custom analysis program.

Contact Technical Specialist
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