This book is written by three graduates from the IFP scheme. They have pooled their years of experience to produce a volume containing many of the elements found in the courses now run by the authors at their school.
The first part of the book is concerned with oil analysis and provides information on the chemical tests used to establish elemental content and hydrocarbon type. The authors make the point that more and more physical tests are now replacing chemical methods because of the physical methods’ speed and convenience. However, chemical methods are still essential when the highest degree of accuracy is required.
Lubricant physical properties are comprehensively described in the next section. This part of the book provides an essential reference to tests and describes the principles of the tests without overpowering the reader with the method details, which can be obtained from the ASTM/IP publications.
Physico‐chemical properties are covered in detail. Again the very “readable” nature of the book provides valuable information on the “real world” relevance of the properties and why they are so important both to formulators and to technical service personnel. A very good coverage of modern oxidation resistance tests and lubricant interfaces is followed by an examination of seal testing and anticorrosion properties. Those readers who have been involved in Europe with the development of seal testing in regard to engine oils may be surprised that the controversy that has surrounded these tests is not mentioned. There is a body of opinion that will query if any field problems have actually been experienced with automotive seals in recent years. Engine builders have, however, provoked development of many tests of dubious statistical soundness which evaluate seals in oils not really in the same condition as found in typical engines.
The increasing importance of the microbiological properties of lubricants to both formulators and users is emphasised within the section devoted to what is clearly an area of rapid change. The effects on humans and the environment are now more than ever being categorised and test methods are evolving as a result.
Authors often neglect the whole area of lubricant analysis and its inclusion in this volume is very welcome. The care to be taken in interpreting some of the tests is mentioned, as is the basic controversy surrounding “biodegradability” tests. However, a good valuable background to the current situation is provided.
The book concludes with a section looking at the analysis of new and used oils in the marketplace. This will be a section widely referenced, as it provides a very good description of how characteristics of an oil relate to its condition and what standard tests really tell us.
In conclusion, this book is to be thoroughly recommended. It will be of great value to engineers and chemists within the lubricant industry and also to large lubricant users. The style of writing is straightforward and it is easy to find details on the particular subjects in question. Great care has clearly been taken with the diagrams and illustrations, which are very clear and enhance what will certainly become a standard reference book for all those involved in lubricants and tribology.
