TestOil, the industry leader in lubricant analysis, offers comprehensive analysis for fire resistant fluids, including phosphate esters and water glycols. One of the reasons that regular lab testing is so imperative is that many fluids that are fire resistant require special maintenance routines to ensure proper fire resistance properties and to maximize fluid life. Many fluids that are fire resistant can degrade fairly rapidly in use if not properly maintained.
TestOil’s Analytical Services Manager Monika Malcolm said, “We probably see more water glycols than phosphate esters in the lab, but that may be due to our industrial customer base. Different sectors tend to use different types of fire resistant fluids.”
When choosing a fire-resistant fluid, there are four points to consider: the degree and type of fire resistance needed; environmental compatibility (toxicity and biodegradability); feasibility of retrofitting – most often required for machinery using water-based fire-resistant fluids; and expense. Phosphate ester, water glycol and other fire-resistant hydraulic fluids tend to be prevalent in industries such as aviation hydraulics, power generation, steel, aluminum and mining. These are environments with open flames and/or surfaces hot enough to cause combustion even without a flame.
Water-glycols owe their fire resistance to water content, which acts as a natural extinguisher. Because of this, the water/glycol ratio must be maintained and verified through lab testing in order to ensure adequate lubricating properties as well as fire resistance. Recommended lab tests include water content, viscosity, particle count, elemental spectroscopy and pH.
Phosphate esters are synthetic fluids formulated without water. They are capable of not only resisting, but extinguishing flames—they are self-extinguishing. They have a high flash point and a high fire point, but exhibit poor hydrolytic stability. Fire resistant properties can be diminished by contamination with another type of product, such as mineral oil or a PAO. Recommended lab tests include water content, acid number, viscosity, elemental spectroscopy, FTIR and particle count.
Phosphate esters may require advanced analysis in the form of RULER and Membrane Patch Colorimetry tests in order to monitor development of fluid degradation products which can cause operating issues if not controlled.
TestOil also offers a test package specifically for phosphate ester EHC fluids that is meant to monitor the critical parameters required to avoid phosphate ester degradation.
For more information on working with TestOil for oil analysis and training visit www.testoil.com. Contact: 216-251-2510; sales@testoil.com.
About TestOil
With more than 30 years of experience in the oil analysis industry, TestOil focuses exclusively on assisting industrial facilities with reducing maintenance costs and avoiding unexpected downtime through oil analysis program implementation. As industry experts in diagnosing oil-related issues in equipment such as turbines, hydraulics, gearboxes, pumps, compressors and diesel generators, TestOil provides customers with a guarantee of same-day turnaround on all routine testing. With in-house, certified training professionals, TestOil offers lubrication and oil analysis training, private onsite training, certification training and exams, and educational webinars. For more information on partnering with TestOil on oil analysis programs or training opportunities visit www.testoil.com.
