What levels of water is high in engine oils when using FTIR

Joos,

The 200 ppm of water barrier is commonly use in the industry. Of course the dyer the better. However completly dry will be almost imposible.
My experience is diferent oils have diferent alarm levels. This depend on the water saturation capacity of each oil. You always want to be below the saturation point of the oil. Here is the lower the better.

Luis
Thank's for the reply. What test's do you use to find the saturation point.

There is an ongoing debate over which reading is more useful - saturation point vs actual content. It really comes down to application. In an engine, there should be very low traces of moisture as it should be boiled off as the engine is running. Any moisture that is detected by FTIR in a combustion engine should be treated as suspicious.
Most labs should have the facility to test for both saturation and content. But remember, the saturation point of an oil will change depending on the temperature, age and additives in the oil. The saturation point can be as high as 0.1% content (1000 ppm).

Joos,

Sorry for my delay in answer your post.
For field purpose I use a humidity sensor (Hydac Aqua Sensor AS). As MC said many labs have the capability to run bth test.
What I found pretty dificult-from my personal experience- is found the water saturation points from the manufacturers. I don´t know why the don´t want to release this information.
From then I work in case by case bases.