Rapid and accurate element determination in lubricating oils using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

Abstract

The internal standard method has been applied to element determination in lubricating oils using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) optical emission spectrometry in order to achieve high accuracy. On-line dilution allows rapid determination without sample pre-treatment. Various lubricating oils can be handled with a single procedure because the effects of lubricant additive components are eliminated. A good analytical performance (relative standard deviation = 5%) is achieved under routine operating conditions. Wear particle sizes up to 10 µm are tolerated by the ICP.