Oil analysis (OA) is the laboratory analysis of a lubricant's properties, suspended contaminants and wear debris. OA is performed during routine predictive maintenance to provide meaningful and accurate information on lubricant and machine condition. By tracking oil analysis sample results over the life of a particular machine, trends can be established which can help eliminate costly repairs.

By analyzing a sample of used engine oil, you can determine the amount of contamination, the wear rates and overall condition of your engine. The real benefit of an oil analysis is that it acts as an early warning system, alerting you to potential problems before they become an equipment failure.

Generally speaking, the higher an oil's total base number (TBN), the better its ability to neutralize contaminants such as combustion by-products and acidic materials.TBN is a measure of (alkaline) additives in the oil.