Base number ASTM D 2896

Total base number (TBN) is a measure of a reserve alkalinity of a lubricant. The base
number is a measure of the amount of basic substance in the oil, always under the conditions
of the test. It is sometimes used as a measure of lubricant degradation in service. It is
measured in milligrams of potassium hydroxide per gram (mg KOH/g). This Base reserve is
called the Total Base Number which is a measure of the level of BASE in the oil and is
determined by measuring the amount of Potassium Hydroxide in mg taken to neutralize the
base reserve in 1 gram of oil (mgKOH/gm). The additive commonly used is calcium
sulfonate. Others including magnesium sulfonate, phenates, and salicylates are also used. In
addition to contributing to the TBN of a lubricant, these additives are multifunctional in that
they are also highly valued as dispersant additives.
This method is really a modification of the previous IP 177/ASTM D664 method,
arising from the perception that changing the titrating acid from hydrochloric to the stronger
perchloric (HClO
4
) will react with both strong and mild alkalinity in lubricant samples and
reflect the total additive content of the formulation. To accommodate the change in acid, the
solvent must be modified as well and is a mixture of chlorobenzene and glacial acetic acid.
The detection method is a combination of the glass electrode and the standard calomel
electrode. This method gives generally higher base number, said to reflect the total, strong,
and mild together, alkalinity present in lubricant formulation however, he solvents and
chemicals are even more hazardous, difficult and expensive to dispose.

Figure : Potentiometric Method
Rotating Disc Electrode Atomic Emission - D6595
This test method determine of wear metals and contaminants in used lubricating oils
and used hydraulic fluids by rotating disc electrode atomic emission spectroscopy (RDE-
AES). It is provide a quick indication for abnormal wear and the presence of contamination in
new or used lubricants and hydraulic fluids. This test method uses oil-soluble metals for
calibration and does not purport to relate quantitatively the values determined as insoluble
particles to the dissolved metals. Analytical results are particle size dependent and low results
may be obtained for those elements present in used oil samples as large particles. It is capable
to detecting and quantifying elements resulting from wear and contamination ranging from
dissolved materials to particles approximately 10 m in size.
Wear metals and contaminants in a used oil test specimen are evaporated and excited
by a controlled arc discharge using the rotating disk technique. The radiant energies of
selected analytical lines and one or more references are collected and stored by way of
photomultiplier tubes, charge coupled devices or other suitable detectors. A comparison is
made of the emitted intensities of the elements in the used oil test specimen against those
measured with calibration standards. The concentrations of the elements present in the oil test
specimen are calculated and displayed. They may also be entered into a data base processing.
For reagents and materials the base oil, a 75 cSt base oil free of analyte to be used as
calibration blank or for blending calibration standards. For check samples, an oil standard or
sample of known concentration which is periodically analyzed as a go/no go sample to
confirm the need for standardization based on an allowable 10 % accuracy limit. Lastly,
cleaning solution, an environmentally safe, non chlorinated, rapid evaporating, and non-film
producing solvent, to remove spilled or splashed oil sample in the sample stand.

Figure : Schematic of a Rotating Disc Electrode Optical Emission Spectrometer for Oil
Analysis