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ISO particle count affected by Si & Ca & H20?

R rickmMember
Are optical particle counters capable of accurately measuring new oil cleanliness when Si & Ca additives are used in the oil?
We have been filtering new oil in an effort to insure it is clean. We have set a target cleanliness level of ISO 16/13. However we are having trouble meeting this level when measured with an optical particle counter. Microscopic analysis shows the oil as being clean but also shows round spheres under high magnification that are thought to be oil additives for detergent and antifoam.
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M mrhughesMember
Send a sample to a lab who carries out particle counts by microscopy (ARP598b or ISO4407).

I have experiensed silicone (as part of silicon additive - O-ring luberication) to interfere with apc counts. We use the LNF instrument, so in addition I could see digital images of the "particles".

H2O definetly interferes. Especially if you are looking at over 50% saturation. (free water droplets).
J johnmMember
RickM,

If you have water droplets in your oil, that's pretty bad, and at this point, particle count is a secondary issue. Get the water out first, and than worry about particles. I doubt that OPC can detect Si particles as their size is approx. 1/10 of a micron or less. What you can see are probably agglomerated clumps of Si particles encapsulated probably by water (due to its polarity), which, as such, are not doing what they are supposed to do (control foaming).
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