ASTM D6304 Karl Fischer Water Test Offered by Eurofins TestOil

When free water is present in oil, it poses a serious threat to the equipment. Water is a very poor lubricant and promotes rust and corrosion to the components.  Dissolved water in an oil promotes oil oxidation and reduces the load-handling ability of the oil. Water contamination can also cause the oil’s additive package to precipitate.  Water in any form causes accelerated wear, increased friction, and high operating temperatures. If left unchecked, water can lead to premature component failure. In most systems, water should not exceed 500 ppm.

If a crackle test is positive, further testing is needed in the form of the Karl Fischer Water Test. The Karl Fischer coulometric moisture test is a series of chemical reactions discovered in 1935 by the German chemist Karl Fischer. This method analyzes water in the microgram or parts per-million range. This test is very accurate, to .001 percent. Water determination by Karl Fischer is defined in ASTM D 6304.

For this test, a sample of oil is introduced into a titration vessel in known mass or volume. Any water present in the sample will react with iodine in the titration vessel.  The amount of iodine required to react with the water and the known mass or volume of the sample is used to calculate the amount of water present in the sample.  Results can be clearly expressed in percent or parts per million.

An electric current passes through a generator containing a Karl Fischer solution.  Iodine is produced at the anode that consumes the water in the introduced sample. When an excess of iodine is detected, the analysis is complete. In choosing this method, make sure that test specimens are compatible with the chosen reagent and that no side reactions occur.  This method is typically used to analyze hydrocarbons, alcohols, and ethers. Note: Analysis of ketones must employ a Karl Fischer solution that is specifically formulated for ketone analysis.

Low levels of water (less than 2 percent) are typically the result of condensation. Higher levels can indicate a source of water ingress.  Water can enter a system through seals, breathers, hatches, and fill caps.  Internal leaks from heat exchangers and water jackets are other potential sources.

For more information on working with Eurofins TestOil for oil analysis programs or training opportunities, fill out the form below; visit https://testoil.com/company/contact-us/; call 216-251-2510; or email sales@testoil.com.

About Eurofins TestOil

With more than 30 years of experience in the oil analysis industry, Eurofins TestOil focuses exclusively on assisting industrial facilities with reducing maintenance costs and avoiding unexpected downtime through oil and fuel analysis program implementation. As industry experts in diagnosing oil-related issues in equipment such as turbines, hydraulics, gearboxes, pumps, compressors and diesel generators, Eurofins TestOil provides customers with same-day turnaround on routine oil analysis testing.  For more information on partnering with Eurofins TestOil on oil analysis programs or training opportunities visit https://testoil.com. Contact: Al Yates 216-251-2510; sales@testoil.com. 

 About Eurofins – the global leader in bio-analysis

Eurofins is Testing for Life. Eurofins is the global leader in food, environment, pharmaceutical and cosmetic product testing, and in discovery pharmacology, forensics, advanced material sciences and agroscience Contract Research services. Eurofins is also a market leader in certain testing and laboratory services for genomics, and in the support of clinical studies, as well as in BioPharma Contract Development and Manufacturing. The Group also has a rapidly developing presence in highly specialised and molecular clinical diagnostic testing and in-vitro diagnostic products.

With over 61,000 staff across a network of 940 laboratories in 59 countries, Eurofins’ companies offer a portfolio of over 200,000 analytical methods. Eurofins Shares are listed on Euronext Paris Stock Exchange.