STREAMLINED GREASE ANALYSIS The Grease Thief is optimized to streamline grease analysis in the laboratory. The grease is extracted from the Grease Thief under variable pressure and force conditions. The grease can then be compared to the baseline grease to trend changes in consistency. During this test, not only is consistency data gathered; the grease sample is simultaneously extruded onto a thin plastic substrate which is preparing the grease for subsequent analysis tests including RDE spectroscopy, FT-IR, RULER and more.
The lab has three standard test slates: Screening, Basic and Advanced.
Up to dozen (12) laboratory tests can be performed using only one gram of grease (one full Grease Thief) to determine wear, consistency, contamination and oxidation.
Wear – Wear Testing detects the amount of ferrous debris and other wear metals in the grease. The FerroQ ferrous debris analyzer, RDE Spectroscopy, and analytical ferrography are used to evaluate wear.
Consistency – Using the Grease Thief the grease is extruded through a specially designed extrusion die to evaluate changes in consistency as compared to the baseline grease. This test tells us whether the grease has hardened, softened or dried out but also simultaneously it is preparing the sample on a thin plastic substrate for subsequent analysis. Rheometer testing is also used in advanced analysis of consistency.
Contamination – FTIR and other spectrometric techniques are utilized to determine mixing of different greases. Mixing of grease can be determined by looking at thickener type and additives.
Oxidation – The onset of oxidation can be measured with several tests. Measuring the residual amount of anti-oxidants exiting from the bearing, it can be determined if the re-greasing interval is sufficient for the equipment. FT-IR can also be used to measure the progression of oxidation.