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Contaminants
Lithium
Potassium
Potassium
Used in high performance grease.
Potassium
Potassium
Potassium
Most commonly found if there is a coolant mixing with, and contaminating, engine oil.
Silicon
Silicon
Silicon
Most common contaminant in lube oil. Abundant in all areas, sand is a very hard crystalline material, and very abrasive to metal components.
Sodium
Silicon
Silicon
Corrosion inhibitor additive.
Also indicates coolant leak into the oil.
Can also be from road Salt, Sea water, Ingested Dirt.
Particle Count
Important in anticipating potential system or machine problems. This is especially true in hydraulic systems. The particle count analysis made as part of a normal lube oil analysis is quite different from wear particle analysis.
In this test, high particle counts indicate that machinery may be wearing abnormally or that failures may occur as a result of temporarily or permanently blocked orifices. No attempt is made to determine the wear patterns, size, or other factors that would identify the failure mode within the machine.
Typical tests are: ISO 4406 and NAS 1638 or SAE 749
Visual Guide
Visual guide to grading differences in ISO particle count.