BOOK REVIEW


Lubricant Analysis and Condition


Monitoring By R. David Whitby


This book by David Whitby is in so many ways like a walk down memory lane, of a time spent in the laboratory performing the tests described here, accumulating the background knowledge for the subsequent application for a career in sales, technical service and marketing.


Laboratory testing now tends to involve advanced equipment which over the years has evolved to save time and improve efficiency. The information here has been written to be fully up-to-date and in vogue. In past years a Sulphur content might have taken a full day to analyse by “wet chemistry” whereas today results are obtained in minutes by scanning x-ray energy dispersive spectrophotometry. Similarly metallic elements from additive or wear sources can be defined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrophotometry (ICP) or Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AA) methods, all taking minutes to evaluate


Not just chemical testing is required to establish lubricant selection and performance and on this point a full introduction to mechanical rig tests are discussed in a very informative chapter. Not only lubricating oils are discussed but also greases and pastes. Physical tests include not just lubricant characteristic tests such as appearance, colour or viscosity but also included are performance related testing and apperatus. Such rigs can mostly be regarded as product development biased but will also be part of regular condition monitoring.


The workings of a wide array of machinery and all manner of engine types are described and illustrated with guidance on the demands on the lubricants and suitable testing regimes for condition monitoring and trend analysis. This all provides an excellent


LUBE MAGAZINE NO.167 FEBRUARY 2022 37 introduction to equipment and


applications for those of a non-engineering bias. We are informed about the range of necessary tests to ensure blended products are up to standard from a production quality aspect and then of the different test regimes for monitoring of lubricant performance in service and likely causes for failure.


These are all covered in this work and to paraphrase David’s words, lubricants themselves are the actual messengers of equipment and service performance. Guideline lists for testing of a wide range of in-service oils are shown to ensure best performance assessment. Even best practices for obtaining small quantities of oil from machinery to obtain truly representative testing samples are included. A bad sampling technique can give rise to misleading conclusions. Obtaining this knowledge would under normal circumstances take time to obtain but here we have actual guidance of immense value.


Any lubricant company will see benefit from including this volume in their library as a ready source of reference material for all lubricants, Industrial, Automotive, Greases and Metal Working. Those new to the industry will find this a most valuable tool and the closing glossary of terms and acronyms is indispensable.


Review by Rod Pesch, UKLA Purchase your copy


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