S·O·SSM Program
Introduced in 1971, the S·O·S program is the world's leading oil analysis program for earthmoving equipment and diesel engines. Since its inception the S·O·S program has grown into the largest oil analysis program in the world.
S·O·S Program is the Caterpillar® certified program of scheduled fluid analysis. Fluid samples collected at routine intervals from all compartments (engine, coolant system, transmission, hydraulic, and gear boxes) are analysed through sophisticated laboratory methods to give you the means to look inside your equipment and detect problems before they cause a loss of production.
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The fluids circulating through the equipment provide a record of what's going on inside your equipment. By performing a series of scientific tests on a properly collected sample, the S·O·S interpreters can read that record and provide a specific description of the problem and recommendations for corrective actions. Within 48 hours of receiving a fluid sample, a report is generated which can warn the customer of a wide variety of problems going on inside their equipment.
S·O·S Wear Rate Analysis
Prevent problems and reduce costs by knowing wear rates
Wear Rate Analysis is an integral part of our S·O·S Program that helps you maintain equipment performance and maximize availability. Through regularly scheduled testing of oil samples from your engine, hydraulics and powertrain systems, Wear Rate Analysis detects tiny metal particles caused by component wear. By monitoring trends in the type and quantity of particles, you can get early warning of problems before major damage occurs.
Understanding wear metals
Every oil-washed system - engines, hydraulics, transmissions, and final drives - produces wear metals in everyday operation. If wear accelerates, the concentration of wear metal particles increases, signaling a problem. Wear Rate Analysis allows you to find problems before they result in major repairs or machine failure.
Wear Rate Analysis can detect particles that range up to about 10 microns in size. Wear metal concentrations are expressed in parts-per-million (or ppm). The S·O·S Oil Analysis program tests for at least 13 different elements: e.g. copper, iron, chromium, lead, tin, aluminium, molybdenum, silicon and sodium. All are wear metals found in machines and engines except silicon (which generally indicates dirt) and sodium (which indicates water or coolant). Certain elements in a sample may be from the oil additive package rather than from wear within the system. Skilled dealer interpreters can tell the difference between normal elements and those that indicate abnormal wear.
S·O·S Oil Condition Analysis
Maximise performance by knowing your oil condition
Oxygen exposure, heat and contaminants cause all oils to degrade. Engine oil is particularly susceptible to degradation by sulphur, nitration, by-products of combustion, high temperatures, and water from the combustion process or condensation. Oil Condition Analysis, part of the comprehensive S·O·S Oil Analysis program, helps prevent component damage by monitoring your oil and keeping track of its degradation. Oil Condition Analysis also allows you to correct problems that affect oil performance. The bottom-line benefit: maximum oil performance, optimum oil change intervals and reduced repair costs.
Understanding Oil Condition Analysis
Oil Condition Analysis is similar to Wear Rate Analysis with one important exception: it evaluates chemical compounds in the oil rather than wear
element particles. Oil Condition Analysis is important for oil from all systems - transmissions and hydraulics, as well as engines.
Water and Fuel Detection
Fluid Contaminants
When present in your engine oil or fluid power system, water or fuel can indicate a number of problems - from incorrect engine timing (fuel) to cooling system leaks. By detecting these problems before they cause component failure, we can work with you to schedule downtime and maximize productivity.
Water
If infrared analysis indicates the presence of water, the approximate amount is determined by placing a drop of oil on a plate heated to 120oC. If water is present the oil will bubble and sputter. By comparing the amount of bubbling to laboratory control samples, experienced laboratory technicians can determine the quantity of water in the sample. Any amount over 0.5 percent is considered excessive.
Water can contaminate a system by leaking in from the outside or condensing in the engine's crankcase or compartment. When water combines with oil, it reduces the oil's ability to lubricate and forms a sludge that plugs filters. Water passing between very close components can create "hot spots." If the water gets hot enough, it causes tiny steam explosions that can fracture metal.
Fuel
Fuel contamination is confirmed using a flash test in which the used oil is heated to a prescribed temperature in a closed cup, then subjected to a flame. Fuel vapours driven off by the heat will flash if the dilution exceeds four percent.
Fuel in the engine oil reduces its lubricating properties. Small amounts of fuel are common as a result of the combustion process. But, if fuel levels exceed recommended levels, we will suggest a check for defective fuel injection nozzles and other sources of leakage. Fuel dilution is generally the result of extended idling, incorrect timing, or a problem with the fuel injectors, pumps or lines.
Viscosity
Viscosity is the measure of the oil's ability to lubricate. If the viscosity changes, the oil no longer lubricates and is unable to protect surfaces efficiently. If the oil is running too hot or if the oil change interval is extended, the oil can oxidize. This will cause the oil to thicken and the viscosity to increase.
If fuel is getting into the crankcase, the oil will be thinned. This will cause the viscosity to drastically decrease.
If oil is transferring from one compartment to another there could be a change in viscosity.
The S·O·S Program measures the viscosity of all compartments. Any changes, either in increase or a decrease, will be detected and corrective action can be then initiated.
S·O·S Oil Cleanliness Analysis
Clean oil keeps equipment running right
Counting the tiny particles in an oil sample identifies harmful contaminants that shorten component life. It can also pinpoint larger particles that signal imminent equipment failure. Our S·O·S oil analysis program finds these particles through a combination of tests that includes Particle Count.
Fighting an unseen enemy
Even particles far too small to see can cause damage. In fact, oil that looks clean may contain particles that cause abrasive wear.
Particles contamination:
- Accelerates component wear
- Reduces system efficiency
- Diminishes equipment performance
Want to know more......
Call our Condition Monitoring Centre direct on (08) 8343 1426.
