News

ALS Malaysia is the proud recipient of the IKM President Laboratory Award for Category 3 - Commercial Testing Laboratories. Read More

A properly maintained lubrication system is key for effective performance and reliability of a turbine power system.   Read More

Elemental analysis is a fundamental tool in used oil analysis. Used appropriately, trends in different wear metals can indicate a problem, allowing corrective action to be taken before catastrophic failures occur. Read More

A Red Herring is defined as something used to mislead or distract from a relevant or important issue. The origins come from rubbing a herring on the ground to mislead the path of hunting/tracking hounds. In this instance, Copper acted as a Red Herring in oil analysis. Read More

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Understanding where the source of iron is coming from can help in reducing the opportunity for equipment failure.   Read More

Oil analysis is a valuable tool used to understand oil condition, contamination and potential part failure due to wear.  It is estimated that wear accounts for up to 75% of failures of components.  Many companies use oil analysis for diagnostic purposes as well as helping identify the reasons why parts fail prematurely.  The following is an example of a company that began to use oil analysis and maintenance records to reduce failures.   Read More

There are times when the wrong oil is accidently added to the oil reservoir. If the oils are the same viscosity, and the manufacturers have determined that they are compatible, then the only issue may be when a sample is submitted and the organometallic additives of the blend do not agree with the information that was put on the sample identification form. Read More

Abrasive wear particles are typically formed from cutting of a hard, sharp particles or from severe sliding.  Abrasive particles can also form as a result of a bearing or gear misalignment. Two body abrasive wear can be due to a misalignment or an asperity of a harder metal component which allows gouging the opposite rotating softer metal. Read More

Each asset has a life span. Often, it isn’t until premature failure occurs will an in depth investigation ensue. While inadequate lubrication, new component defects, the use of wrong components or materials, poor installation, or poor maintenance practices or workmanship are to blame, routine oil analysis combined with wear debris analysis might have indicated a pending failure.  Read More