en
pl
sv

Grease Thief® Diagnostics

In the Ecol laboratory, we have implemented the world’s most modern lubricant testing method, meeting the requirements of ASTM D7718-11 and ASTM D7918-11 standards for sampling and analysis of plastic lubricants. Grease Thief® is the only method that allows as many as 9 tests to be performed on a lubricant sample weighing as little as 1g.

    ecol-grease-thief (2)

    testing industrial lubricants

    Grease Thief® testing of industrial lubricants

    At Ecol’s oil diagnostics laboratory, we test lubricants using the world’s most advanced Grease Thief® method, which meets the requirements of ASTM D7718 and ASTM D7918 standards for sampling and analysis of plastic lubricants.

    Grease Thief® is the only method that allows as many as 9 tests (including consistency, wear, contamination, lubricant oxidation, and wear particle counts) to be performed on a lubricant sample weighing as little as 1g.

    Grease Thief® at Ecol’s oil laboratory

    The Ecol oil laboratory in Rybnik is the first in Central Europe to provide lubricant analysis services with Grease Thief® technology.

    ecol-grease-thief-badania-smarow-przemyslowych

    industrial lubricant testing

    representativeness of the sample

    The lubricant sample is taken each time from a critical and representative area thanks to patented sampling tools.

    The one-gram sampler allows for non-contact sample preparation in the laboratory, and the sampling process itself, ensures full reproducibility and eliminates the risk of cross-contamination of samples on the test bench.

    elimination of the risk of cross-contamination of lubricant samples

    Cross-contamination in the industrial lubricant sampling method refers to the situation where lubricant samples taken from different locations or machines may contaminate each other. This can occur, for example, when sampling tools are used repeatedly without proper cleaning or when lubricants are stored in a way that allows contact between them. Cross-contamination can introduce false or falsified lubricant analysis results, making it difficult to accurately assess lubricant condition and diagnose potential machine failures. The Grease Thief® method, with its precision and disposable samplers, minimizes the risk of cross-contamination of grease samples, ensuring reliable analysis results.

    The Grease Thief® method eliminates the risk of cross-contamination by using disposable grease samplers. Each sampler is designed to take a single sample from a specific area of the machine. Once the sample is taken, the sampler is removed, preventing contact and mixing of lubricants from different locations. This prevents contamination of grease samples with other lubricants that can affect the analysis results. The Grease Thief® method ensures full separation and independence of grease samples, which guarantees accurate and representative analysis results without the influence of cross-contamination.

    tested devices

    ability to carry out testing on any device

    Based on the analysis of oils, lubricants, coolants, as well as fuels, we carry out diagnostics on equipment where the lubricating or cooling medium is able to provide reliable information about the condition of the machine.

    gas turbines

    steam turbines

    water turbines

    wind turbines

    internal combustion engines

    electric motors

    transformers

    gearboxes

    pumps

    compressors

    ecol-grease-thief (3)

    advantages of the method

    high sample efficiency and wide application possibilities

    The Grease Thief method is used in the analysis of lubricants working in wind turbines, robotics, plain bearings, electric motors and gearboxes. Advantages of the Grease Thief® lubricant analysis method:

    1. high efficiency

    the ability to perform up to 9 laboratory tests with just 1 gram of grease

    2. time saving

    saving time with efficient and effective lubricant testing methodology, allowing you to effectively use a small sample for all tests

    3. simple sample preparation

    preparing the lubricant sample for analysis on existing oil analysis instruments, including: FT-IR, RULER, ICP/RDE and analytical ferrography

    4. non-invasive method

    non-invasive sampling method, allowing a continuous stream of samples for analysis, without equipment downtime

    5. cost reduction

    reduction in overall production costs through simplified analysis method and reduced lubricant consumption

    photo gallery

    Grease Thief - stanowisko badawcze smarów przemysłowych
    Grease Thief – stanowisko badawcze smarów przemysłowych
    Grease Thief - pobór smaru przemysłowego do badasia
    Grease Thief – pobór smaru przemysłowego do badasia

    FAQ

    Grease Thief®: frequently asked questions

    • A full fill is required only for the consistency test. Other tests (e.g. wear, contamination, oxidation) can be performed on a smaller sample.

    • ASTM D7718 (Standard Practice for Obtaining In-Service Samples of Lubricating Grease) is a standard that defines a methodology for in-service lubricant sampling. It describes a reproducible method for obtaining samples from specific applications, including: motor-driven valves, gearboxes, standing bearings, electric motors, exposed bearings, open gears or damaged lubricating grease components.

      The standard was developed by the World Trade Organization’s Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee, in accordance with international standardization principles.

      Full description of the standard: https://www.astm.org/d7718-11r19.html

    • ASTM D7918 (Standard Test Method for Measurement of Flow Properties and Evaluation of Wear, Contaminants, and Oxidative Properties of Lubricating Grease by Die Extrusion Method and Preparation) is a standard that specifies the monitoring of wear trends, contamination, consistency, and oxidative properties of grease. It covers the analysis and evaluation of the flow properties, wear levels, contamination and oxidative state of new and used lubricating grease.

      The standard was developed by the World Trade Organization’s Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee, in accordance with international standardization principles.

      Full description of the standard: https://www.astm.org/d7918-17a.html

    • The Grease Thief® method provides representative grease samples, eliminating the risk of cross-contamination. In addition, thanks to the one-pound sampler, samples can be prepared in the laboratory without contact, which guarantees full reproducibility of the results.

    • The Grease Thief® method is useful in many industries, such as industry, transportation, energy, heavy industry, and wherever plastic lubricants are used to maintain and protect machinery.

    get in touch

    learn more about the Grease Thief® service

    Contact our specialist, laboratory or diagnostic team directly:

    Katarzyna Błaszczyk-Paryż

    team
    laboratory

    Diagnostic team

    check also – articles

    check also – services

    Testing of oils, lubricants, fuels and cooling liquids

    Analysis of oils and lubricants performed in our laboratory