LogicOil Patch Test Kit
LogicOil’s PatchTest allows you to easily Identify, monitor and analyse wear and contamination to ISO Standard 4407 .
Effective, Simple On-Site Analysis
Intelligent oil analysis programs incorporate on-site analysis. For most plants, mills and mines, particle monitoring is the most productive onsite oil analysis activity available.
Studies show that particle contamination is responsible for up to 80 percent of lubrication-related machinery failures. Hard particles can enter the system through seals, breathers, new oil changes and top-offs. They can also be generated within the system from component wear.
These particles can abrade, fatigue and erode component surfaces – robbing it of precious life. And because particles cause so many problems, they should be monitored regularly and controlled by filtering the oil or changing as required. Because, particles are generated when a machine fails, monitoring for increased generation of wear debris alerts the technician of an impending failure.
The simple patch test enables the technician to quickly identify abnormal levels of contamination and wear debris so that corrective actions can be scheduled accordingly.
While several excellent automatic particle-monitoring devices (particle counters and wear debris meters) are available, low-cost patch microscopy allows on-site particle monitoring without spending a great deal of money.
The patch test can help maintenance personnel determine if on-site particle monitoring suits their needs. It can also provide them with experience and information that will help them determine if a more sophisticated particle monitoring device is needed, and if so, which device best suits their needs.
Patch Test Kit HTPT-KIT 1 & 2
- Identify and monitor types and levels of contamination
- Identify wear elements
- Software analysis of contamination
- Inhouse quality control
- Component cleanliness evaluation
- Analyse components to ISO 4407
Analysing Debris on the Patch
After the patch has been prepared, a number of things can be determined by visually examining the debris collected on the patch.
First, by using the 100/200 X magnification microscope, a comparison may be made with a catalogue of standard patches, which can be obtained from numerous sources or the supplier compar booklet.
The appropriate ISO Cleanliness Code can then be estimated. A laboratory correlation exercise showed that the ISO code obtained by this comparator method and an ISO code obtained using a standard portable particle counter was within one ISO code number.
Likewise, a visual examination of a particle’s morphology – its shape, size, colour and other details – can also be used just like conventional ferrography to help elucidate the source of any particle.
Example of a Patch Test Result
Here, spectrographic analysis failed to detect any abnormal wear or contamination. However, in this case, the PQ index and particle counts showed an abnormal contamination level.
Spectrometry failed to detect iron due to the analysis limitation of particle size (less than 5 µm). The patch test, however, showed a high concentration of spherical particles ranging in size from 20 µm to 75 µm – typical of welding debris.
Maintenance was carried out in the vicinity of this unit with no protection. Welding and grinding debris from the environment had entered the unit’s hydraulic system through an inadequate reservoir breather.
On-Site Contamination Analysis
The portable LogicOil PatchTest kit is a must for identifying and monitoring the types and levels of contamination in fluid power systems.
The LogicOil PatchTest kit enables instant visual analysis through an optical microscope of the major types of system wear including bright and black metals, silica, fibres, elastomers, plastics and others.
A sample of the test fluid is passed through a filter membrane via the vacuum pump, dried and mounted in a membrane holder ready for visual assessment. Comparator slides are supplied to help establish and identify cleanliness levels etc of the fluid sample.
The LogicOil PatchTest kit is supplied complete with everything required for taking immediate samples and is simple to assemble and easy to use with training available on request.
Conclusion
The ability to detect and analyse particles of different materials, both metallic and nonmetallic is vital to the success of any oil analysis program.
Whether performed in a lab, as most of these examples were, or in the field,on-site patch microscopy can offer some distinct advantages over off-site conventional oil analysis instruments andtests and is an excellent addition to any oil analysis program.
Microscopes
Microscopes with cameras are supplied with software that allows the user to size individual contaminants on screen.
This aids the reporting function for potential issues such as warranty claims and supplier disputes. LogicOil also offer a patch testing service.
LogicOil PatchTest Kit Includes
- Biocular Microscope
- Vacuum Pump
- Glassware including Filter Holder
- Pressurised Sure Shot Spray Gun
Filter Membranes and Mounting slides. - Forceps and Clamps
- Plastic Beaker
- Solvent
- Petri Dishes
- Carry Case
- Full instruction manual
- Contaminant size reference charts
