Filtrogramas

Filtergram Analysis

29/01/2009


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Filtergram analysis is the microscopic examination of wear particles taken from an oil sample or filter medium. A Filtergram can identifyparticles from 3 microns to over 1,000 microns. Particle size, wear factor and identification are reported in  graphs and include two scaled photographs highlighting critical points in a sample. Positiveconfirmation is assured to differentiate between chemical leaching and mechanical wear.

A filtergram analysis of an oil sample can be a very useful addition to the more traditional methods of conditionmonitoring. The sample to be examined is dissolved in a solvent and filtered through a very fine membrane filter. The wear debris and other contaminants in the oil are captured on the membrane forexamination under a high power microscope. The filtergram report gives an analysis of the size and composition of all the particles found as well as the wear mechanism which generated the metallicparticles. Photographs of selected particles are presented on the report. Debris recovered from filter media can also be analysed by these techniques.
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Preparing samples for FiltergramAnalysis

-Place oil sample into SOS4 bottle (yellow lid) as per recommended sampling procedure.
-Ensure work bench is free from contamination.
-Cut filter open using 4C5084 Filter Cutter. Inspectfilter for abnormal debris.
-Place approximately 10 cm2 of filter pleat into supplied plastic re-sealable bag.
-Post engine filter medium and oil sample together in prepaid mailing satchel
Filtergram(Microscopic wear debris) Analysis
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This very advanced technology is most suitable for the 'Condition Monitoring' of critical equipment or components. It must be stressed at this point, thatFiltergrams are not intended to replace other technologies, In fact, when used together they provide a far more powerful Maintenance/Diagnostic tool. Like Spectrometric Analysis, Filtergrams are used...