A filter analysis is used to gain even more insight into the system. The filter collects data with every gallon of oil filtered. By evaluating the residue the filter collects we can: * Determine system cleanliness * Predict failure of components * Determine source of contamination from inside or outside the system. The filter analysis is used in the following situations: 1. System is experiencing short filter life. 2. Vibration monitoring system is picking up abnormal vibrations. 3. High pressure differential across the filter. 4. Large metal particulate present in the system. 5. Highly contaminated particle count. 6. Failure analysis inveatigation. The filter analysis picks up where the particle count leaves off. When some components fail they fail in large chunks. These particles are not circulating in the oil, but are picked up by the filter. Take a roller bearing for example. When it fails the particulate that are generated are too large to be picked up in a spectroanalysis and are usually from 25 to 100 microns in size. These are picked up in the filter and can be evaluated using filter analysis. THE PROCESS The residue is washed from the filter, dried and weighed. It is then evaluated for metal content, organic matter (such as wood fiber), foreign contamination. The percent of each for of contamination is evaluated and reported. MAJOR - 40% or more MINOR - 20% to 30% TRACE - 10% or less The residue is then photographed at 25X, 40X, and 100X magnification. This allows the customer to see exactly what is in the filter. This method of filter analysis was first used on aircraft applications. OAL found it so effective that we started performing the evaluation on industrial filters. Through the use of spectroanalysis, particle count, and filter analysis we are evaluating all the particulate from sub micron on up.

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