| Description |
Total base number is a measure of reserve alkaline additives put into lubricants to neutralize acids, to retard oxidation and corrosion, enhance lubricity, improve viscosity characteristics and reduce the tendency of sludge buildup. Simply put, it is a test to measure the ability to neutralize corrosive acids that may be formed during normal operation. Oil formulations of additives vary drastically between oil companies... |
... so the most important analytical parameter is the change in base number when compared to the lubricant when new, or when in service, to the previous sample. Titration techniques can be used to determine the base number, however, simpler tests such as infrared spectroscopy with the Spectro FTIR or FluidScan are usually applied by modern laboratories to avoid the need for a complex chemical analysis. |
