Lubricant Oil Filterability Testing: METTLER TOLEDO
Case Study

​Lubricating Oil Development Case Study​

Case Study

Standardized Weighing Improves Filterability Testing

METTLER TOLEDO weighing equipment and standardized filterability testing help a global specialty chemicals leader obtain precise control of intermediate and final products during hydraulic fluid R&D and lubricating oil development.
METTLER TOLEDO weighing equipment and standardized filterability testing help a global specialty chemicals leader obtain precise control of intermediate and final products during hydraulic fluid R&D and lubricating oil development.

A pioneer in the development of specialty chemicals manufactures lubricants including hydraulic oils for a variety of industrial applications. Weighing is fundamental to their hydraulic fluid R&D processes as well as their lubricating oil filterability testing in quality control, and they rely on METTLER TOLEDO’s Excellence balances to ensure high-caliber products that comply with industry guidelines.

What Is Filterability?

In the lubricant manufacturer's development and QC laboratories, quality is assessed by titration, chromatography, filterability assays and more. Filterability reflects the ability of a hydraulic fluid to pass through a fine mesh without clogging, and it is used to evaluate the properties of new hydraulic oil formulations. Filterability is influenced by the additives used during formulation and the overall hydrolytic stability of the lubricating oil.
 

Monitoring Filterability of Lubricating Oils

The company’s R&D lab follows the test methods defined by ISO 13357 (Determination of the Filterability of Lubricating Oils) and AFNOR IP 448 (Filterability of Hydraulic Fluids) to monitor filterability. The procedures are intricate, involving several weighing steps as well as waiting time and calculations. As oil samples are filtered, the pressure applied to them must be precisely defined.
Both the first fluid drop and the level of fluid generated over time must be collected and recorded. 


Ensuring Accurate Filterability Testing

To ensure the accuracy of filterability-testing results and prevent rework, the scientists use an XPR Precision Balance with LabX™ laboratory software. The software displays each operation in their SOP on the balance touchscreen in sequence. Once a test is finalized, calculations are automatically performed. With complete data and metadata stored in a secure database, further analysis is facilitated, accelerating new product development.