Access to a reliable and trustworthy oil sample analysis service, such as Trico’s, not only enables a facility to enjoy the benefits associated with maximum utilization of its lubrication products, but gains from proper coolant management can be realized as well. In fact, while proper lubricant management will have a positive impact on equipment life, a good coolant management program will benefit both the equipment and the people. Contact dermatitis, for example, can normally be avoided through proper coolant management. Therefore, when looking for an organization to run its oil management program, maintaining the coolant should be included in the scope of work.
The company chosen to handle a facility’s oil sample analysis and related activities should be competent in its management of all metalworking fluids since the parameters for which the oil sample analysis is conducted varies with the application. Consider water content, for example. Water content in oil used for machine lubrication can lead to corrosion of major components. However, water is a major constituent in most products used as coolants. In fact, the coolant typically made up of more than 90 percent water unless, of course, the machine is one that uses straight cutting oil as its metalworking fluid.
Typically, coolants fall into one of three categories, oil based, semi-synthetic, and full synthetic. When it comes to a proper oil sample analysis, all three of these coolant types will have different requirements.
In contrast to water content in lubricating oils, oil content in coolant can be an indicator of a problem. For example, free oil in coolant is undesirable because it is an indicator of a leak. The reason is that oil has leaked into the coolant in quantities beyond that which the emulsification package in the product can handle. Not only will Trico’s oil sample analysis help to determine this, it will also help to determine whether additives are needed to maintain the lubricity and corrosion resistance properties of the coolant.