Lubricant Testing — Formulation, Performance & Condition
AGT Labs provides comprehensive lubricant testing covering formulation verification, performance testing, contamination assessment and condition monitoring. Whether you're validating a new formulation, diagnosing an in-service failure, or running routine condition-based maintenance, our testing gives you the technical insight to act.
We support mineral, synthetic, and specialty greases and oils for automotive, industrial, marine and aerospace applications.
Who benefits: formulators, OEMs, maintenance engineers, lubricant distributors, fleet managers and.
Service Highlights
- Visual and sensory screening of lubricants through accredited color, odor and corrosion evaluations to identify early signs of deterioration.
- Chemical fingerprint confirmation using refractive index, detailed hydrocarbon analysis and sulfur-species profiling to verify formulation consistency.
- Contamination and deposit behaviour assessment through non-volatile residue checks, conductivity measurements and hydrocarbon-distribution shifts.
Industries We Serve
- Automotive & Heavy Vehicles — engine oils, gear oils, transmission fluids.
- Industrial & Manufacturing — circulating oils, gearboxes, compressors.
- Marine & Power — cylinder oils, turbine oils, hydraulic fluids.
- Aerospace & Defence — specialty greases and hydraulic lubricants with tight specifications.
Lubricant Testing Matrix
Key tests for formulation verification, condition monitoring and forensic analysis.
| Test / Parameter | Reference / Method | Technique / Instrument | Notes / TAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | ASTM D5002 | Digital Density Meter | Used to assess base oil quality and detect mixing or degradation. 24–48 h. |
| Color (Visual) | ASTM D1209 | Visual Comparison | Indicates oxidation, contamination and aging in lubricants. 24–48 h. |
| Color (Automatic) | ASTM D6045 | Automatic Colorimeter | Precision color grading useful for lubricant clarity and oxidation. 24–48 h. |
| Copper Strip Corrosion | ASTM D130 / D849 / D1838 | Visual Assessment | Detects corrosive sulfur compounds in lubricants. 24–48 h. |
| Carbon Residue (Ramsbottom) | ASTM D524 | Gravimetric | Indicates deposit-forming tendency of lubricant base stocks. 48–72 h. |
| Odor Evaluation | ASTM D1296 | Manual Odor Evaluation | Detects degradation, contamination or burnt-oil signatures. 24–48 h. |
| Refractive Index | ASTM D1218 | Refractometer | Useful for verifying lubricant formulation consistency. 24–48 h. |
| Electrical Conductivity | ASTM D2624 / ASTM D1125 | Conductivity Meter | Assesses contamination or additive depletion in lubricants. 24–48 h. |
Laboratory Capabilities & Instrumentation
Analytical Systems
Color evaluation, copper strip corrosion rating, carbon residue measurement, nonvolatile residue checks, sulfur compound analysis, hydrocarbon composition profiling, and gum content determination.
Formulation & Failure Investigation
- Assessment of color, corrosion rating, and hydrocarbon balance to confirm lubricant consistency.
- Detection of purity issues through sulfur compounds, gum tendency and GC-based composition shifts.
- Concise recommendations on product suitability and corrective steps when results fall outside expectations.
Sampling, Handling & Chain of Custody
Proper sampling (bottle type, purge, sample point) is essential for representative results. Use clean bottles, avoid headspace and record operating condition at sampling time.
Sampling Best Practice
- Collect samples from flowing lines where possible (not surface/top of tank) to avoid sediment bias.
- Use amber glass for certain analytical tests; for routine panels high-density polyethylene is acceptable if pre-cleaned.
- Label with batch/formulation, operating temperature, meter readings and sampler.
Volumes & Storage
- Typical 100–500 mL depending on panel; larger for retention or multiple analyses.
- Keep sealed; avoid contamination. Ship ambient unless cold chain required for specific additives or microbiological tests.
- Keep a retained sample for 30 days for dispute resolution (recommended).
Quality Assurance, Reporting & Interpretation
Reports include measured values, specification comparisons, interpretation of remaining useful life and practical next steps. Trend and fleet reporting available to monitor formulation consistency or in-service degradation.
- Deliverables: COA, interpretive commentary, optional trend charts and failure diagnostics.
- Consultation: Formulation advice, specification development and sampling SOPs.
Turnaround Times & Test Packages
| Package | Typical Tests | Typical TAT |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Appearance Panel | Color (Platinum–Cobalt), Automatic Tristimulus, Odor evaluation | 24–48 h |
| Contamination Screening | Free water & particulates, odor check, refractive index | 24–48 h |
| Carbon Residue Panel | Ramsbottom carbon residue + appearance checks | 48–72 h |
| Corrosion & Reactivity Panel | Copper strip corrosion (petroleum / aromatic / LP gas variants) | 24–48 h |
Standards & Accreditation
Lubricant Testing aligns to ASTMand ISO methods (ASTM D6045, D1218 , D130 etc.). AGT Labs operates to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards — certificates and scopes are available on request.
FAQs — Lubricant Testing
How frequently should I test lubricants?
Do you provide pass/fail vs OEM specs?
Can you test greases?
Deliverables & Value-Added Services
- COA with interpretation, specification comparison and recommended actions.
- Trend reports and fleet dashboards for programmatic monitoring.
- Formulation benchmarking and validation for R&D teams.
- On-site sampling training and SOP development.
Summary
AGT Labs’ Lubricant Testing provides robust formulation and condition data to help manufacturers and asset owners ensure performance, prevent failures and optimise lubricant life.