Chemical Analytics
Inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry
elemental analysis for determination of additives, wear and contaminations
a prepared sample solution is introduced as an aerosol into a plasma at a temperature of 6000 to 10000 °C where it is atomised and excited; the excited atoms and ions emit radiation which is detected qualitatively and quantitatively; if necessary, prior to this procedure the sample is submitted to a microwave digestion to avoid matrix effects during the measurement
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of all chemical elements except halogens, inert gases, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and carbon; qualitative and quantitative analysis
determination of: additives, wear, contaminations, composition of lubricants, condition of used lubricants
fast multi-element technology; low matrix effects; robust technology; wide linear range; detection: µg/kg – mg/kg (or ppb – ppm); more than 20 elements
1 mL or 0.5 g
Contact
AGOCS Adam
FRANZ Rainer
X-ray fluorescence analysis
elemental analysis for determination of additives, wear and contaminations
a sample is exposed to X-rays and electrons are ejected/excited; the energy released by electrons dropping into lower energy levels is specific for each element
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical elements, starting with the elemental mass of magnesia
determination of: additives, wear, contaminations, composition of lubricants, condition of used lubricants
fast multi-element technology; robust technology; wide linear range; detection: mg/kg to 100g/kg (or ppm to 10 wt%); more than 20 elements
Contact
FRANZ Rainer
Infrared spectrometer
identification of lubricants and their components; qualitative and quantitative analysis of lubricant condition (condition monitoring) according to DIN 51451, DIN 51452 and DIN 51453, ASTM E2412, JOAP and various OEM specific procedures
the test sample is subjected to infrared radiation and the attenuated radiation is detected as a function of the wavelength; the peak position of absorption bands allow spectrum interpretation for qualitative and quantitative composition; at used lubricant analysis (condition monitoring) where changes of used lubricants are determined and interpreted in comparison with the corresponding fresh lubricants
formulation of lubricants; used lubricants: oxidation and nitration according to DIN 51453, sulphation, additive deterioration, water, glycol, fuel and soot
formulations of lubricants (base oils, additives, lubricants); used lubricant analysis (condition monitoring); allows a rapid interpretation of the condition of lubricants caused by ageing and contamination
measuring range: 7500 – 370 [1/cm] (mid and near infrared); cuvette (transmittance); ATR with diamond (reflection)
cuvette: 1 mL; ATR: 1 drop
Contact
BESSER Charlotte
FRANZ Rainer
Infrared spectrometer
identification of lubricants and their components; qualitative and quantitative analysis of lubricant condition (condition monitoring) according to DIN 51451, DIN 51452 and DIN 51453, ASTM E2412, JOAP and various OEM specific procedures
the test sample is subjected to infrared radiation and the attenuated radiation is detected as a function of the wavelength; the peak position of absorption bands allow spectrum interpretation for qualitative and quantitative composition; at used lubricant analysis (condition monitoring) where changes of used lubricants are determined and interpreted in comparison with the corresponding fresh lubricants
formulation of lubricants; used lubricants: oxidation and nitration according to DIN 51453, sulphation, additive deterioration, water, glycol, fuel and soot
formulations of lubricants (base oils, additives, lubricants); used lubricant analysis (condition monitoring); allows a rapid interpretation of the condition of lubricants caused by ageing and contamination
measuring range: 7500 – 370 [1/cm] (mid and near infrared); cuvette (transmittance); ATR with diamond (reflection)
cuvette: 1 mL; ATR: 1 drop
Contact
BESSER Charlotte
FRANZ Rainer
FTIR microscope
spatially resolved FTIR analysis
Infrared light is focused by mirrors on a sample, the reflected light can be collected and analysed or mirco ATR can be used
Spatially resolved information on organic compounds
formulations of lubricants (base oils, additives, lubricants); used lubricant analysis (condition monitoring); allows a rapid interpretation of the condition of lubricants caused by ageing and contamination
measuring range: 7800 – 650 [1/cm] (mid and near infrared); reflection, transmittance or absorption with microATR
plain surface, 1mm² bis 100cm²
Contact
FRANZ Rainer
SCHANDL Michael
Large-scale oil aging
device for the production of large quantities of artificial altered lubricants under defined conditions;development of lubricants under realistic conditions; production of large quantities of defined altered lubricants for the evaluation in performance tests (engine, bearing, pump) under extreme conditions (end of lifetime, limit)
up to 200 litres of fluid lubricant are altered under elevated temperatures, aggresive gas atmospheres, with catalysts and contamination;parameters in the reaction chamber are monitored and adjusted by sensoric systems; during the alteration samples are taken and analysed in the laboratory to document the process
realistic alteration of lubricants
chemical stability, prediction of life time, benchmarking, production of defined lubricants
25°C – 300°C, 20 litres to 200 litres
Nontoxic liquids with boiling point > 25°C; volume in the range of 20 – 200 litres
Contact
AGOCS Adam
BESSER Charlotte
FRANZ Rainer
Tensiometer
determination of surface and interface properties according to EN 14370
a defined plate (Wilhelmy method) or a defined ring (Du Noüy method) is brought in contact with the surface of a liquid; the forces occurring on the plate or ring are measured by a balance; capillarity of powders can also be determined
surface tension [mN/m]; interface tension [mN/m]; contact angle; capillarity
tensiometry allows to compare used oils with fresh oils; the contact angle is a measure for the wettability of surfaces (small contact angles for lubrication)
surface and interface tensions: 1 – 999.9 mN/m; test temperature: -10 – +130 °C; diverse atmospheres possible (air, nitrogen, …)
classic method: approx. 100 mL; Equipment for little sample quantities: approx. 1 mL
Contact
FRANZ Rainer
CEC ageing apparatus
testing of ageing resistance according to CEC (thermo-oxidative) according to CEC L-48-A-95
the oil sample is aged at a given temperature and a given time period at the presence of air; for determination of the artificially aged oil the following methods are used: NZ, VZ, sludge formation, FTIR, etc.
artificial ageing according to CEC is a short-term test enabling a prediction of the probable operating performance; test conditions adaptable
artificial ageing according to CEC is a short-term test enabling a prediction of the probable operating performance
see standards
> 500 mL
Contact
FRANZ Rainer
Mini pour point
determination of the pour point in a micro scale procedure according to DIN ISO 3016
the oil sample is slowly cooled down; the Pourpoint is defined as the temperature at which the oil is not yet solidified and can be poured
pourpoint [°C]
cold-flow-properties of an oil
see standards
approx. 10 mL
Contact
FRANZ Rainer
Vaporisation loss according to Noack
determination of the vaporisation loss by heating under controlled conditions according to CEC-L40-A93 Method B and ASTM D 5800 Method B
over the course of 1 h the oil sample is heated under reduced pressure to a temperature of 250 °C; the occurring loss of weight is determined gravimetrically
loss in wt.%
characterisation of base oils and fully formulated oils (percentage of volatile components)
see standards
approx. 100 mL
Contact
FRANZ Rainer
Rotating bomb oxidation test - RBOT/RPVOT
determination of the oxidation stability according to ASTM D 2272
a mixture of the test oil, and water, and a copper catalyst coil are placed in a vessel equipped with a pressure gauge; the vessel is charged with oxygen to a gauge pressure of 620 kPa, placed in a constant-temperature bath (150 °C) and rotated axially; the duration [minutes] required to reach a specific pressure drop within the vessel is the oxidation stability of the test sample
induction period [min]
determination of induction period as a measure for the oxidative stability
see standards
approx. 100 mL
Contact
FRANZ Rainer
Turbine-Oxidation-Stability-Test
ASTM D943 This test method covers the evaluation of the oxidation stability of inhibited steam-turbine oils in the presence of oxygen, water, and copper and iron metals at an elevated temperature. This test method is limited to a maximum testing time of 10 000 h. This test method is also used for testing other oils, such as hydraulic oils and circulating oils having a specific gravity less than that of water and containing rust and oxidation inhibitors. This test method is widely used for specification purposes stability of lubricants, especially those that are prone to water contamination. It should be recognized, however, that correlation between results of this method and the oxidation stability of a lubricant in field service may vary markedly with field service conditions and with various lubricants. The precision statement for this method was determined on steam turbine oils
duration in hours until neutralisation number of 2 mg KOH/kg
see standard
500 ml
Contact
FRANZ Rainer
Oil ageing - mech-ox-chem
examination of the aging of oil as an in-house method AC2T
the oil sample is aged at a given temperature and a given time period at the presence of a specified gas atmosphere; for determination of the artificially aged oil the following methods are used: NZ, VZ, sludge formation, FTIR, etc.
artificial ageing according to this method is a short-term test enabling a prediction of the probable operating performance; test conditions adaptable
Adaptation of ageing parameters for realistic investigation of the chemical stability of lubricants
50 – 200°C
500 – 2000 ml samplepump circuitany gas atmosphere
500 – 2000 ml
Contact
FRANZ Rainer
Amount of gas in fluids
Determination of solubility of gases in oils depending on pressure and temperature
Well defined contact between tempered oil and gas under controlled conditions; pressure monitoring during the experiment; reaction can be influenced by stirring rate and temperature
Pressure trend of selected gas in a liquid; pressure drop will be converted into gas solubility [L/L]; [L/kg] or [mol/kg]
Estimation of expected pressure drop in case of contact between a gas and a liquid, as well as changes in process components because of gas absorption
Pressure: 10-170 [bar], Temperature: 20-85[°C]Most technical, non corrosive gases
100-500 ml sample; gas (in case of special gases) in a pressure vessel with approx. 50% higher pressure then the required experiment pressure
Contact
ADLER Michael
X-ray photo electron spectroscope - Theta Probe
surface sensitive elemental and chemical analysis
X-ray excited core shell electrons are detected and characterised, the energy of the electrons is typical for the element and its chemical surrounding
elemental composition of the surface and chemical bonding information about the elements
detailed chemical knowledge of surfaces
small spot; lateral resolution: 400 µm – 15 µm; point and line scans; mapping; depth information: 5 nm – 10 nm; Ar+ sputter depth profile < 1 µm; angle resolved XPS without tilting of the sample
specimen size: < 70x70x25 mm; specimens have to be vacuum resistant
Contact
BRENNER Josef
TOMASTIK Christian
Liquid chromatography high resolution tandem mass spectrometer - LTQ Orbitrap XL
Lubricant analysis; small molecule analysis; chemical composition
HPLC in combination with PDA and high resolution mass spectrometry (ESI, APCI); direct infusion for MS (ESI, APCI, AP-MALDI)
composition of lubricants and additives and their changes after stress; sum formula of detected molecules, structural information, quantification
lubricant analysis; additive analyses; quality control; monitoring of changes due to specific load (chemical, thermal, mechanical)
sample preparation: dilution, SPE, adduct forming; sample introduction: HPLC, direct infusion; detectors: PDA, MS; ionisation methods for MS: ESI, APCI, AP-MALDI; mass resolution of MS: up to 100000; fragmentation in MS: CID, PQD, HCD
to be discussed
Contact
BRENNER Josef
RISTIC Andjelka
Trace GC Ultra-FID-TSQ Quantum XLS
analysis of lubricants, fuels, gas and solid samples from qualitative and quantitative point of view
a dilute sample solution is transferred to the column directly or via auto-injector; A heating program separates the analytes by boiling point while transferring them into the inert gas stream; subsequently a suitable column separates analytes by polarity; the flow from the separation column is split and detected simultaneously via Flame Ionisation Detector (FID) and triple-quadrupole MS detector
chromatogram: use of retention time (peak position) for qualitative analysis; use of peak area for quantitative analysis; mass spectrum: qualitative analysis of substances (original and aged samples) by evaluation of recorded mass spectra utilizing a mass spectral library; FID: quantitative composition
identification and quantification of sample components; monitoring of composition changes due to specific stress
sample introduction: pyrolysis, HS, SPME, CPI, DIP AS; injectors: SSL, PTV (enables LVI); GC oven temperature: 40 – 300 °C; cold trap within oven: down to -150 °C; detectors: FID, MS (ionization: EI, CI and TSQ enabling several operation modes)
vaporizable (otherwise pyrolysis) and thermally stable; approx. 1 mL; solids possible by pyrolysis
Contact
BRENNER Josef
FRAUSCHER Marcella Patricia
SCHANDL Michael
2D-HPLC with UV-DAD & universal "Corona" detector
advanced analysis of complex mixtures; quantification of components and component groups; fractioning and enrichment of trace analytes
UHPLC and NPLC; separation of analytes by polarity, hydrophilicity or size, detection via UV/Vis detector and mass sensitive universal Charged Aerosol Detector (Corona); possible coupling to high resolution MS LTQ Orbitrap XL; Fracting autosampler allows 2D-HPLC by injecting fractions into a different column or even analysis by different HPLC mode (reversed phase or normal phase); Method scouting valves allow automated column switching and solvent switching; Online SPE for automated sample enrichment or matrix removal
analysis and quantification of components of highly complex mixtures (non-volatile, lipophilic, lipophobic, ionic, polymeric, etc.)
separation, composition, quantification of components of lubricants, oils, greases, pitches, residues, polymers, and environmental samples
ultimate 3000 dual ternary solvent pump; fraction autosampler for 2D-LC; multiple-column oven with column switching valves; UV/Vis-DAD detector; universal detector Veo Corona RS (charged aerosol detector); coupling to LTQ Orbitrap XL possible
micro-g-amount; soluble in suitable solvent for reversed phase or normal phase HPLC; non-volatile for universal detector
Contact
BRENNER Josef
PISAROVA Lucia
RISTIC Andjelka
vario MACRO cube CHNS
Quantitative determination of (organic) carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, sulfur, and oxygen.
A weighed sample is placed into the analyser and is dropped into the hightemperaturecombustion furnace, allowing the sample to combust. This combustion converts carbon to CO2 , hydrogen to H2O, Nitrogen to N2, and sulfur to SO2. The combustion gases are swept from the furnace, through scrubbing reagents, onto the detection systems as they are being released. The signal is measured using a thermal conductivity detection system.The oxygen add-on module enables to determine oxygen content in organic matrices The oxygen released during pyrolysis of the sample reacts with a carbon-rich environment in the furnaceto form CO. The CO is swept from the furnace and converted to CO before measurement.
Carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen and sulphur content, oxygen content. Alteration of samples due to ageing (oils, fuels), determination of organic fractions in multiphase materials.
Macro analyzer for the simultaneous quantitative determination of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulfur and additionally oxygen
High temperature combustionQuantitative digestion up to 1200 °C (1800 °C at the time of combustion when tin boats are used)Weighing rangeMacro sample weights (up to 1.5 g), depending on sample requirements up to ~200 mg organic materialDdynamic range for element contents and concentration ratios to 150 mg C or 100 mg N absolute, from ppm to 100 %ChromatographyGas component separation on up to three specific columnsMultipoint calibration matrix independentAutomatic measuring sequence with integrated sample changer for up to 60 samples
Sample per analyses: ffew mg up to 1 g. No further specific requirements
Contact
BRENNER Josef
BUDNYK Serhiy
PICHLER Jessica
STA 449 F3 Jupiter®
Simultaneous thermal analysis apparatus (TG-DSC/DTA)Temperature range SiC furnace 25°…1600°CLubrication and fuel analysis, liquid sample analysis Thermal stability: base oils, additives, coatings, polymers Determination of wear particles/soot in lubricants Ageing kinetics under inert/oxidative and reducing conditions In combination with IR or MS cells – Identification and quantification of decomposition productsMaterials Science Phase transformations, thermal stability Characterization of various coatings Chemosorption/gas desorption Corrosion under various atmospheres
Thermogravimetrically analysis (TGA): Determination of the weight change under controlled heating and controlled atmosphere.Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC): Heating of a sample and a reference (usually a crucible with air) so that both crucibles have the same temperature. The change of heatflow is measured.Differential thermal analysis (DTA):Heating of a sample and a reference (usually a crucible with air) so that both crucibles have the same temperature. The temperature change is measured.
TGA: Thermal properties of a sample f.e. thermal decomposition, loss of volatile contents (moisture, solvents etc.) Polymer identification (typical mass loss compared to literature. DSC: Determination of enthalpy of endothermically and exothermically reactions.DTA: Determination of temperature difference during phase transitions
Determination of thermal effects and properties
Temperature range: Room Temperature – 1600°CAtmosphere: N2, N2/O2. If needed also other can be connected Temperature resolution: 0,001 KResolution of the Balance: 0,1 µg Maximum Sample weight 35000 mg (including the crucible) Sample volume: TGA max 5 ml, DSC max 0,19 ml , DTA max 0,9 ml (dependant of the used crucible) DSC-Enthalpy accuracy: ± 2% (for most material)
Upon requestDTA + TGA: Sample up to 100mgDSC: Sample up to 20mgDependant of the crucible (Vapor deposition of the sample ? closed DSC crucibles are not suitable etc.)
Contact
BRENNER Josef
BUDNYK Serhiy
PULJIC Anto
Potentiostat VersaStat 3F
electrochemical characterisation; corrosion and tribo-corrosion investigations
under controlled electrochemical environment experiments with relevance to tribo-corrosion are investigated with the aid of the potentiostat
qualitative and quantitative evaluation of tribological behaviour of materials and surface layers in corrosive environments
simulation of tribological processes in a controlled electrochemical environment (tribocorrosion, bio-tribocorrosion)
capable of “floating” for operation with grounded cells/electrodes; specialized filters for float mode operation for enhanced signal /noise ratio; ±650 mA / ±10 V polarization range; impedance analysis over the frequency range 10 µHz – 1 MHz; additional bandwidth filtering options for greater stability on capacitive cells
to be discussed
Contact
BRENNER Josef
Parstat4000A
Electrochemical treatments and measurements, analysis of tribo-corrosive process
Two, three or four electrode setup. Controlled electrochemical parameters
Corrosive fraction of wear, materils behaviour under the influence of small electriacl potetial differences
Simulation of tribological processes under controlled electrochemical environment (tribocorrosion, biotribocorrosion); characterization of high-resistance electrolytes
capable of “floating” for operation with grounded cells/electrodes; specialized filters for float mode operation for enhanced signal /noise ratio; ±650 mA / ±10 V polarization range; impedance analysis over the frequency range 10 µHz – 10 MHz; additional bandwidth filtering options for greater stability on capacitive cells
On demand
Contact
BRENNER Josef
