Assessment of Remaining Lubricant Life
Abstract
An investigation was conducted in order to develop a remaining lubricant life assessment test (RLLAT) for MIL-L-7808 lubricating oils. The RLLAT would enable the Air Force to reduce material and labor costs by eliminating scheduled oil changes. In Task 1 analytical procedures capable of performing remaining lubricant life (RLL) assessments of MIL-L-7808 lubricating oils were identified and evaluated. Of the numerous analytical procedures identified in Task 1, procedures based on cyclic voltammetry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and chemical stressing were determined to be the best candidates for development into a RLLAT. In Task 2, a RLLAT was developed from the reductive-cyclic voltammetric (RCV) technique and a microcomputer based data acquisition system. The RLLAT based on the RCV technique and data acquisition system (RLLAT-RCV) was rapid (total analysis time less than 30 seconds), inexpensive (less than $3,00), and base-level in operation and RLL assessments. The development of RLLAT from the DSC techniques were limited by the high instrumental costs (greater than $20,000). The development of RLLAT from the chemical stressing techniques were limited by the toxicity and instability of the required reagents and the difficult interpretation of the techniques' results. In Task 3, the applicability of the RLLAT-RCV to different types of lubricating was demonstrated. The results in Task 3 also showed that the RLLAT-RCV could be used to detect engines experiencing severe wear in addition to being used to eliminate scheduled oil changes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA177186
Entities
People
- Robert E. Kauffman
- Wendell E. Rhine
Organizations
- University of Dayton