Infrared Spectroscopy ("IR" or "FTIR") is a technique that is very useful for: identifying oil and foreign-body contamination, identifying additive concentrations or depletions, and identifying oil degradation reactions. The technique is based on the principle that infrared "light" is absorbed in very specific ways by different structures in organic molecules. Therefore, the IR instrument is capable of detecting and identifying specific molecule-structures even in a mixture as complicated as used lubricating oil!
Although the actual science behind infrared Spectroscopy analysis is quite complicated (see following for typical FTIR output graph!), our lubricant customers can rely on their oil analysis reports to tell them all they need to know about the condition of their oil. Therefore, using the "IR" method, along with appropriate reference materials and "target levels" based on years of experience, the oil analyst is able to provide easy-to-read summary comments on the oil condition in the following areas: oil oxidation, oil nitration, water/antifreeze contamination, fuel dilution, soot contamination, and oil cross-contamination.
