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International Maintenance Conference 2025
The RELIABILITY Conference® 2026
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fluid analysis

Oil Analysis Strategies for Problem Investigation

We have all seen the CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) TV shows, and marvel at the technology used to bring the guilty to justice. I get a chuckle when I see a gas chromatograph spit out a report for the forensic investigators which are incredibly detailed- such as the time they took a swab of oily material, and identified it as a motor oil used in a 2005 Harley Davidson bike, complete with detail on where you could find it in the Florida area. Whereas much of this is make believe, it is fact based. Oil analysis is an incredible effective condition monitoring tool. Applying a little of the CSI investigative techniques to an oil sample, particularly from a suspect piece of machinery, can provide a wealth of information, and most importantly, a direction to pursue. We can apply this type of problem solving matrix when evaluating oil samples for problem solving. We will outline an approach to investigating an oil sample, used by our laboratories, and then give a few case study of problem identified by a good analysis investigation.

New Fuel Analysis Webinars Address Performance Issues, Cleanliness Standards & Quality

Indianapolis, IN - POLARIS LaboratoriesTM is again expanding its scope of customer training and technical support with a new diesel fuel analysis webinar series. The new curriculum is designed to help end users correct performance issues, maintain standards for fuel cleanliness and confirm sulfur content, biodiesel content and manufacturer specifications. It also provides guidelines for taking diesel fuel samples and the requirements for properly shipping them to the laboratory.

QinetiQ North America Introduces Spectroil Q100 Oil Analysis Spectrometer

MCLEAN, VA -  QinetiQ North America, a global developer of innovative technology solutions, today announced that its subsidiary, Spectro Inc., is introducing the Spectroil Q100 Oil Analysis Spectrometer, an analytical instrument that detects and quantifies metals in used (in-service) oils and hydraulic fluids that are indicative of an abnormal condition. Spectro Inc. customers will utilize the Spectroil Q100 to help predict mechanical failures in their early stages so corrective action can be taken. Oil analysis has become an extremely successful predictive maintenance tool applied by the military and commercial industry to greatly improve safety and reduce maintenance costs.

Chevron Introduces HDAX 7200 Low Ash Gas Engine Oil

New Product Ideal for Gas Compression, Processing or Co-Generation Applications.

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Engineering an Effective Oil Analysis Program

Many organizations throughout the world have implemented oil analysis programs to better manage their equipment and lubricant assets. While some have received only marginal benefits, a few have reported substantial savings, cost reductions and increased productivity. Success in an oil analysis program requires a dedicated commitment to understand the equipment design, the lubricant, the operating environment and the relationship between the test results and the actions to be performed.

POLARIS Named Fluid Analysis Provider for Industry’s Largest International Oil Distributor Group

The Association of Independent Oil Distributors (AIOD) announced this month its launch of the Purus Assurance System, a fluid analysis program administered by POLARIS Laboratories to support AIOD’s newest brand, Purus. The Purus Assurance System offers easy to use oil, fuel and coolant test kits, fast test results and easy-to-access equipment sampling histories and secure, paperless reporting.

Asset Condition Management

Analytical Ferrography – The Real Story

When used oil analysis and/or Direct Reading Ferrographs indicate abnormal wear, Analytical Ferrography is an excellent test to identify the type of wear occurring and the source of wear.

Implementing an Oil Analysis Program
Asset Condition Management

Implementing an Oil Analysis Program

A 5:42 minute iPresentation Tutorial by Kristopher Sonne, Predict Inc.

Many organizations throughout the world have implemented oil analysis programs to better manage their equipment and lubricant assets. To receive success in your oil analysis program requires a dedicated commitment to truly understand the equipment design, the lubricant, the operating environment and the relationship between the test data results and the actions to be performed. This iPresentation will provide an overview on implementing an oil analysis program.

 

The 6 Reasons Why Lube Oil Analysis Programs Fail
Asset Condition Management

The 6 Reasons Why Lube Oil Analysis Programs Fail

A 53 minute Recorded Playback On-Demand Webinar by Tim Nelson, Technical Service & Support, Insight Services

Companies can receive exceptional payback from setting up an oil analysis program. However, without proper vigilance the program can fail miserably or never get the traction to deliver the proper payback. With 20 years of experience in helping clients set up and manage lube oil programs Insight presents its top 6 reasons why a program fails. Focus on avoiding theses pitfalls and chances are you are on your way to a world class program.

 

Asset Condition Management

Thermal Heat Transfer Oil Analysis

These days, many heating processes using high pressure steam, but some of them still using thermal heat transfer oil.

Thermal heat transfer oil require periodic sampling and analysis. From the

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Asset Condition Management

Testing New Oil

Start performing oil analysis on shipments of new oil as they arrive on site. This can be a regularly scheduled task, either annually, monthly, or even with every shipment, depending on your

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Asset Condition Management

Look At Your Oil

Look at your oil.

Regardless the level of your oil analysis program it is good practice to visually check and use the business card check before sending the sample out. Be sure and use a clear

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POLARIS Laboratories Awarded Contract for U.S. Military Sealift Command Fluid Analysis

POLARIS Laboratories announced today its award of a $1.3 million contract to provide oil analysis to the U.S. Military Sealift Command’s 200 plus naval ships over the next three years. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the MSC operates the Military Sealift Fleet Support Command in Norfolk, VA, where it trains, crews, equips and maintains the MSC’s government-operated ships stationed around the globe and five additional Sealift Logistics Commands that operate throughout the Atlantic, Pacific, European, Central and Far East regions worldwide.

Asset Condition Management

Oil Analysis Maintenance Tip

When taking oil samples from a specific machine, You must not only take a sample out of the reservoir, gearbox, ext. You must take a sample at every point in the oil system. What I mean is where

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MRG Seeks Beta Test Sites for the Grease Thief Analyzer

MRG Labs has developed the Grease Thief Analyzer and sampling tools to measure the consistency of in-service grease samples. A Beta Test has been developed for the participation of several laboratories to optimize the method and provide design input.

POLARIS Laboratories to provide fluid analysis for AES Defence Early Failure Detection Centre

POLARIS Laboratories, an innovative leader in fluid analysis services in North America, announced today their partnership with UK-based AES Defence who provides oil analysis services for more than 1,500 British military vehicles. The company’s Machine Care Plus oil sampling and analysis service monitors equipment condition and usage, identifies signs of distress and alerts appropriate personnel when maintenance action should be taken.

International Standard for Field Lubricant Analysis

ISO 18436-4:2008 Condition monitoring and diagnostics of machines—Requirements for qualification and assessment of personnel—Part 4: Field lubricant analysis.

Best Practices in Oil Sampling
Asset Condition Management

Best Practices in Oil Sampling

A 7 minute iPresentation Tutorial by Kelly Wollschlager, Trico Corp

A company could spend thousands of dollars collecting oil samples, analyzing reports only to find out that the means that the sample was extracted jeopardized the competency of the sample itself. Some of the areas where data integrity could be comprised include: how was the sample taken, what tools were used to take the sample, and where was the sample taken. This i-Presentation will discuss how to achieve best practices in oil sampling.

 

Insight Services, Inc. Earns ISO/IEC for High Standards and Stringent Quality Control

Insight Services Inc., an independent industrial oil analysis laboratory, is now accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2005. Accreditation demonstrates Insight Services’ technical competence for the methods in its scope, and for the operation and effectiveness of its standardized best practice in oil testing techniques.

POLARIS Laboratories Makes Inc. 5000 List of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in U.S.

Indianapolis, IN - POLARIS LaboratoriesTM, an innovative leader among fluid analysis providers in North America, was ranked 3,400th on Inc. Magazine’s 2009 List of Fastest-Growing Privately- Held Companies in America. The company also made the Indianapolis Business Journal’s List of the Top 25 Fastest-Growing Privately-Held Companies in Indiana four years in a row placing 12th in 2003, 16th in 2004, 12th in 2005 and 23rd in 2006.

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