Testing Oil for the Presence of Water

Water in lubricating oil has been a point of keen debate as long as oil analysis has been used to monitor equipment and lubricant condition. How much is too much? Where does it come from? Does it really hurt equipment? What form of water is of concern? How is it controlled?

Water can be present in lubricating oil in three different forms:

Dissolved water refers to water that has been chemically absorbed into the oil. While dissolved water possesses no direct threat to the component being lubricated, its presence can serve as a catalyst to oxidation. Dissolved water is normally not visible in an oil. Emulsified water is water that maintains its chemical integrity, but is held in suspension in the oil by additives and contaminants.

Emulsified water will severely alter the load handling ability of an oil. When temperature and pressure are applied to a contaminated fluid, the oxidation process is significantly accelerated, leading to premature degradation. Internal corrosion and rust will also result in all areas of the system. When oil has emulsified water, it will take on a hazy or milky appearance.

Free water describes water that is present in the oil but not held in suspension. Since oil and water don’t mix an oil’s base stock will be constantly trying to separate from water. Without additives or contaminants to bond with the water, it will separate rapidly and settle to the bottom of the oil. Free water will be visible in oil as a separate phase at the bottom of the oil reservoir.

In general, water is a poor lubricant. Proper lubrication is dependent on the formation of an oil film to separate opposing friction surfaces. When pressure is applied to an oil film, the oil’s viscosity will increase proportionally to maintain protection. Water does not exhibit this tendency and will cause boundary lubrication to occur where full fluid film lubrication would otherwise be present.

Eurofins TestOil offers both the Crackle test and the Karl Fischer Titration test to determine the presence of water in lubricating fluids. 

For more information on partnering with Eurofins TestOil on 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.