The Grease Thief is also optimized to streamline grease analysis in the laboratory.  The Grease Thief's cylindrical shape allows the entire volume of the sample to be tested in the lab.  The grease is extracted from the Grease Thief under variable pressure and force conditions.  The grease can then be compared to the baseline grease to trend changes in consistency.  During this test, not only is consistency data gathered; the grease sample is simultaneously extruded onto a thin plastic substrate which is preparing the grease for subsequent analysis tests including RDE spectroscopy, FT-IR and RULER Analysis.

Oil analysis generally categorizes analysis into three areas: Wear, Contamination and Physical Properties.  With the development of the Grease Thief Analyzer, MRG has found that consistency is a fourth property that is prevalent in the analysis process.  We’ve added this category to our analysis reports by use of the Grease Thief Analyzer Test and advanced rheometer analysis.  The lab has three standard test slates that are performed for Grease Analysis.  Up to seven laboratory tests can be performed using approximately one gram of grease (one full Grease Thief) to determine wear, consistency, contamination and consistency.

Wear – Wear Testing detects the amount of ferrous debris and other wear metals in the grease.  Kittiwake’s FdM+, RDE Spectroscopy, Direct Read Ferrography and analytical ferrography are used to evaluate wear.

Consistency – Using the Grease Thief the grease is extruded through a specially designed extrusion die to evaluate changes in consistency as compared to the baseline grease.  This test tells us whether the grease has hardened, softened or dried out but also simultaneously it is preparing the sample on a thin plastic substrate for subsequent analysis.  Rheometer testing is also used in advanced analysis of consistency.

Contamination – FTIR and other spectrometric techniques are utilized to determine mixing of different greases. Mixing of grease can be determined by looking at thickener type and additives. 

Oxidation – The onset of oxidation can be measured with several tests.  Measuring the residual amount of anti-oxidants exiting from the bearing, it can be determined if the re-greasing interval is sufficient for the equipment.  FT-IR can also be used to measure the progression of oxidation.

As of November 16, 2009 there will be a $50.00 laboratory preparation and handling fee added to any grease samples that arrive at our laboratory and are not pre-packed in a Grease Thief.

Basic Test Slate - $95

Grease Thief Analyzer Test
FT-IR
RDE Spectroscopy
RULER
FDM+

Advanced Test Slate - $200

Grease Thief Analyzer Test
FT-IR
RDE Spectroscopy
RULER
FDM+
Analytical Ferrography
Rheometer

Root Cause Analysis - $900

Grease Thief Analyzer Test
FT-IR
RDE Spectroscopy
RULER
FDM+
Analytical Ferrography
Rheometer
Supplement analysis results with other technologies such as IR Thermography and vibration analysis