Die Analyse von Abrieb- und Additiv elementen in Schmierfetten: XRF, RDE-OES oder ICP-OES?

The elemental analysis in grease samples is common practice in their analysis. However, there is no international standard available describing procedures. Thus, numerous often-similar approaches are used in commercial laboratories. In contrast to lubricating oils, grease analyses are influenced by the matrix, originating from different thickeners. We have compared the results from the most common methods, XRF, RDE-OES and ICP-OES. The latter method using modern microwave assisted sample preparation. The analysis using ICP-OES after microwave-assisted digestion leads to low LODs compared to the other methods used in this study.