Advances in the analysis of new and used lubricating oils by high-resolution ICP-OES

Lubricating oils are the lifeblood of oil-wetted machinery. Elements such as barium, boron, calcium, copper, magnesium, molybdenum, phosphorus, sulfur, and zinc are used as additives in lubricating oils to improve their lubricating capability and properties, such as anti-wear, antioxidant, anticorrosive, and dispersing. The quantity of those elements highly affects a lubricant’s performance. Therefore, a rapid, sensitive, and precise measurement is crucial as part of its production.