Water Content in Lubricants by Karl Fischer

Description

High-precision coulometric determination of microscopic moisture in oils and greases to prevent corrosion and loss of lubricating properties.

Water in the lubrication system is the number one enemy for bearings, gears, and hydraulics. It accelerates oil oxidation, destroys the additive package, and causes hydrogen embrittlement of the metal. Karl Fischer water content determination (ASTM D6304) at the RENA laboratory guarantees absolute precision down to 1 ppm (parts per million), allowing the detection of even dissolved moisture that has not yet become a free emulsion but has already triggered hidden degradation processes. This analysis is your best tool for early diagnosis of cooler leaks or condensation in reservoirs. The test is based on the specific chemical reaction of iodine with water in the presence of sulfur dioxide and a base (Karl Fischer reagent). For lubricants, we use coulometric titration: an oil sample is injected into a sealed cell, where a smart microprocessor generates iodine using an electric current. Since the charge is directly proportional to the mass of the substance, the instrument calculates the water content with absolute accuracy. For complex industrial oils with additives (which may undergo side reactions), we use the oven method, where the sample is heated in a separate oven, and water vapor is carried into the cell by a stream of dry gas, eliminating any measurement errors.