Oil analysis (OA) is the laboratory analysis of a lubricants 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. The study of wear in machinery is called tribology. Tribologists often perform or interpret oil analysis data.
OA can be divided into three categories:
# analysis of oil properties including those of the base oil and its additives,
# analysis of contaminants,
# analysis of wear debris from machinery,