Tribology services
Tribological Testing and Oil Analysis
Tribology is the science of friction, wear and lubrication.
Our specialists support railway, industrial and infrastructure operators with independent tribological assessments and testing services.
We analyse the interaction between equipment, lubricants and operating conditions to understand how friction, wear and lubrication affect asset performance. Through laboratory analysis, condition monitoring and failure investigations, we provide the insights needed to improve reliability, optimise maintenance and support asset lifecycle decisions.
Improve Reliability.
Extend Asset Life.
Optimise Maintenance.
CERTIFER combines tribological expertise, advanced laboratory analysis and condition monitoring to help you understand wear mechanisms, optimise lubrication strategies and improve asset performance.
Mitigating friction and wear through the application of lubricants is therefore an essential aspect of tribology because friction and wear in systems have an impact on the operation and economic life of your assets and materials.
In practical terms, it helps organisations understand how critical components behave in service and how to improve their reliability, availability and lifetime.
Understand the Condition of Your Lubricated Systems
Are you looking for insights into the condition of your lubricated systems? Do you want to set revision periods for machines? Or better plan your relubrication intervals for grease-lubricated systems?
Our tribology department will give you the insight you need.
At CERTIFER, we combine tribological expertise, laboratory analysis and field experience to help asset owners optimise maintenance strategies, reduce operating costs and extend the service life of equipment and infrastructure.
The result is better maintenance planning, reduced downtime and improved asset reliability.
The inspections and know-how of our experts and our tribology laboratory can provide valuable input for your asset integrity management (AIM) process.
Equipment and Systems We Support
Industries we support
- Railway Rolling Stock
- Commercial Vehicles
- Industrial Machinery
- Wind Turbines
- Civil Engineering Works
- Transformers
Available Condition Monitoring Packages
+Engine oils
- Engine oil analysis package basic (dynamic viscosity (20 and 40 °C), XRF wear elements, TAN, water content by volume%)
- Engine oil analysis package standard (basic + fuel dillution, dispersing capacity (spottest) and coolant detection)
- Complete Engine oil analysis package (standard + filtration wear parts (wear coefficient))
- Additional: oil filtration and microscopic assessment of wear parts (wear coefficient)
+Gearboxes and transmissions
- Gearbox analysis package basic (dynamic viscosity, TAN, water content in vol. %, wear element concentration (XRF)
- Gearbox analysis package basic & Magnetic plug analysis
- Turbo transmission oil analysis package (hydrodynamic torque converters)
- Additional: oil filtration and microscopic assessment of wear parts (wear coefficient)
- Magnetic plug analysis (wear scan coefficient)
- Gearbox analysis package complete (dynamic viscosity, TAN, water content in vol.%, concentration of wear elements (XRF), Magnetic plug analysis & filtration of wear parts (wear coefficient))
+Hydraulics
- Hydraulic oil quick scan (viscosity, wear elements, ISO-4406, free water)
- Hydraulic oil analysis package complete (quick scan + TAN & water determination Karl Fisher in ppm)
- Additional: oil filtration and microscopic assessment of wear parts (wear coefficient)
- Additional: MPC test, varnish potential
+Transformers
- Transformer oil analysis quick scan (breakdown voltage, water content (ppm))
- Transformer oil analysis package basic (breakdown voltage, water content (ppm), viscosity, TAN, color measurement)
- Transformer oil analysis package complete – synthetic oil (base + DGA + cleanliness + DDF)
+Compressors
- Compressor oil analysis package (dynamic viscosity (20 and 40 °C), XRF wear elements, TAN, water content by volume%)
- Additional: oil filtration and microscopic assessment of wear parts (wear coefficient)
+Greased bearings and other components
- Concentration of wear elements using XRF (Fe, Cr, Mn, Cu, Si)
- Analysis package (used) lubricating grease (consistency + concentration of wear elements)
- Additional: grease filtration and microscopic assessment of wear parts (wear coefficient)
- Shear viscosity determination, DIN 51810-1
Overview of our laboratory services
Dynamic Viscosity – ASTM 7042
Kinematic viscosity – ASTM D445
Water content [%] – In house method
Water content [ppm] – ASTM D 6304
TAN/TBN – ASTM D664
Fuel dillution – In house method
Cleanliness – ISO 4406
Blotter spot test – ASTM 4740
Wear particle analysis – In house method
Dielectric break down Voltage – IEC 60156
Interfacial Tension – ASTM D971-20
Dissolved gas content – ASTM D3612
Remaining primairy antioxidant content by (linear sweep) voltammetry – Based on ASTM-D7590, ASTM-6971, ASTM D-6810
Forceboard – In house method
MPC test – ASTM D7843
Foam Test – Based on ASTM D892-06
Consistency – ASTM-D217
Shear viscosity – DIN 51810-1
Dropping point – ISO 2176 / IP 396
Oil Separation – DIN 51817
Water content [ppm] – ASTM D 6304
Wear particle analysis – In house method
Roll Stability – ASTM D1831
Water resistency – DIN 51807
Corrosion prevention – ASTM D 6138
Copper corrosion – DIN 51811
Remaining primairy antioxidant content by (linear sweep) voltammetry – Based on ASTM D-6810
Water Wash-off test – EN 15427 Annex B
DB Hafttest – DB TL 958 103 – DB Hafttest
Oil filter Analysis
Magnetic plug wear Analysis
R2F test – Lubricating ability test – – DIN 51806 / EN12081
V2F test – 6 days – Mechanical stability, shock resistance (wheel axle bearing grease) – EN 14865–2 / EN12081
V2F test – 30 days – Mechanical stability, shock resistance (wheel axle bearing grease) – EN 14865–2 / EN12081
Pin-on-plate friction tests (Static and dynamic COF in low speed sliding motion) – – In house method
Twin disk tests friction tests (Dynamic COF in rolling contact with variable slip) – EN 15427
Element analysis (XRF)
Infrared Spectromtry
Gas chromatography
Machine testing on the field to monitor conditions
Condition monitoring is used to monitor a system’s state through a combination of measurements, inspections and sampling. CERTIFER tribology assessment process starts with gathering information about the system and defining the sampling strategy and monitoring regime. Our experts then provide instructions for taking representative samples for comprehensive laboratory analysis.
In many cases, we will not have to remove components from the system to perform this condition monitoring. Taking a sample from a magnetic fill or drain plug will usually suffice to gain insight in wear performance. This has the benefit of reducing your system downtime to a minimum.
A Complete Approach to Tribology
Through lubricant analysis, wear assessment and failure investigations, we identify degradation mechanisms, detect emerging issues and evaluate the effectiveness of lubrication strategies.
Whether for railway, industrial or infrastructure applications, we consider the complete system rather than the lubricant alone. This enables asset owners to optimise maintenance practices, improve reliability, extend component service life and make better-informed lifecycle decisions.
CERTIFER Tribology Brochure
View and download CERTIFER tribology leaflet
Need Expert Advice?
Whether you need oil analysis, condition monitoring, failure investigation or lubrication expertise, our specialists are ready to help.
Contact us at triboanalyse.nl@certifer.eu
