Analysis of used lubricating oils for wear metals by wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy

Abstract

Analysis of used lubricating oils for wear metals by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy has always been difficult when the determination of many elements has been required. Problems have been mainly caused by the nature of the sample, selection of standards and presentation of samples and standards to the instrument in a suitable form. The method described largely overcomes these problems, is simple and convenient to use and is suitable for a wide range of lubricating oils. Repeatability is good and readily available standards can be used for calibration purposes. A correlation programme has been carried out using flame atomic-absorption and direct-reading emission spectroscopy on chromium, tin, copper and iron.