Sources of Wear Metals in Oil Analysis

The following tables are a guide to the sources of wears metals detected by oil analysis. Also
consult your equipment manufacturer for specific guidelines.

Iron
Iron is the most common of the wear metals. Present in some form in virtually all equipment.
Its widespread presence means that there are many sources of the wear particles. Because of
this knowledge, the metallurgy of the component allows the analyst to distinguish the source of
the wear debris, e.g. cast iron bolts vs. stainless steel lube oil piping.
Equipment

Wear Metal Source

Most common of the wear metals. Engines: Cylinder Liners, Piston
Engines
Rings, Valve train, Crankshaft, rocker arms, spring gears, lock washers,
nuts, pins, connecting rods, Engine Blocks, Oil pump,
Rolling element Bearings: rollers (tungsten alloyed steel), raceways and
Bearings
cages, Journal Bearings: Journal shaft, bearing Shoe backing. Locking
keys
Gears
Bull gears, pinions, case hardened teeth, locking pins
Gears, bearings, Brake bands, clutch, shift spools, pumps, power take
Transmissions
off (PTO)
Hydraulic
Pump, motor, vanes, pump housing, cylinder bores and rods, servo
Systems
valves, pistons
Rotary Screw, lobes, vanes, connecting rods, rocker arm, bearings,
Compressors cylinders, housing, shafts, roller bearings (see above) oil pump, piston
rings
Turbines
Reduction gear, shaft, bearings, piping, case

Copper
Widely used as an alloying element, copper is prized because of its materials properties - very
ductile, and excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. It is heavily used in bearing systems,
as well as heat exchangers.
Equipment

Wear Metal Source

Valve train bushing, Wrist pin bushing, Cam bushings, Oil Cooler core,
Engines
Thrust washers, governor, connecting rods bearings, valve gear train
thrust buttons,
Rolling element Bearings: alloyed element in cages, Journal Bearings:
Bearings
journal bearing pads, slinger rings, Locking keys
Gears
Bushings, thrust washers
Transmissions Clutches, steering discs, bearings
Hydraulic
Pump thrust plates, bushings, cylinder gland guides, pump pistons, oil
Systems
coolers
Heat
Cooler tubes, baffles, plates.
Exchangers

Compressors
Turbines

bearings, cylinder guides, wear plates, thrust washers, bearings (see

above) oil pump, oil coolers, thermostats, separator filters
Bearings (see above) piping, coolers

Tin (Sn)
Tin is used as an alloying element with copper and lead for sacrificial bearing liners.
Equipment

Wear Metal Source

Valve train bushing, Wrist pin bushing, Cam bushings, Oil Cooler core,
Engines
Thrust washers, governor, connecting rods bearings, valve gear train
thrust buttons,
Rolling element Bearings: alloyed element in cages, Journal Bearings:
Bearings
journal bearing pads (babbited)
Gears
Bushings
Transmissions Clutches, steering discs, bearings
Hydraulic
Pump thrust plates, bushings, Can be a residue from catalyst in some
Systems
oils (Quintolubric series)
Compressors bearings, separator filters
Turbines
Bearings (see above) piping, coolers

Aluminum (Al)
Aluminum is valued in equipment because of it high strength to weight ratio, and excellent
corrosion resistance. Alloyed with other elements improves its wear and temperature
resistance. It is widely specified for equipment manufacture nowadays.
Equipment

Wear Metal Source

Engine blocks, pistons, blowers, Oil pump bushings, bearings (some)
Engines
Cam bushings (some), Oil coolers (some)
Bearings
Rolling element Bearings: alloyed element in cages, Locking keys
Gears
Bushings, thrust washers, grease contamination
Transmissions Bushings, clutches
Hydraulic
Cylinder gland (some) pump, motor pistons, oil coolers. Aluminum
Systems
complex grease contaminant
Heat Exchangers Cooler tubes, baffles, plates
Housing, bearings, cylinder guides, wear plates, thrust washers,
Compressors
bearings (see above), oil pump, oil coolers
Bearings (see above) piping, coolers EHC Systems: Residue from
Turbines
synthetic media (alumina) filters

Chrome (Cr)
Chrome is used as an engineering material for its great hardness and corrosion resistance. It is
found in many systems operating under harsh conditions.
Equipment

Wear Metal Source

Engines

Rings, Liners, exhaust valves, zinc chromate from cooling system

inhibitor
Rolling element Bearings: alloyed /coated element in rollers, tapers
Bearings (some), shaft coatings, some special gears are chrome plated
Bearings, water treatment

Bearings
Gears
Transmissions
Hydraulic
Cylinder liners, rods, spools
Systems
Heat Exchangers Cooler tubes, baffles, plates
Housing, bearings, cylinder guides, wear plates, thrust washers,
Compressors
bearings (see above), oil pump, oil coolers
Turbines
Shaft coating (some) bearings,

Lead (Pb)
A soft metal used for sacrificial wear surfaces such as journal bearings. Lead based babbitts are
widely used .
Equipment
Engines
Bearings
Gears
Hydraulic
Systems
Compressors
Turbines

Wear Metal Source

Main Bearings, connecting rod bearings. Lead can be present as a
contaminant from Gasoline (Leaded gas) (Octane improver, anti-knock
compound)
Rolling element Bearings: alloyed element in cages, Journal Bearings:
Major alloying element in Babbitt bearings, alloying elements
Bearings, can also be red lead paint flakes from gear case walls
Bearings
Bearings
Bearings

Silicon (Si)
Silicon is the most common contaminant found in lube oil analysis. Abundant in all areas, sand
is a very hard crystalline material, and very abrasive to metal components.
Equipment

Wear Metal Source

Engine blocks (alloying element with aluminum parts), ingested dirt
Engines
from breathers, external sources. Can also be from defoamant additive
in lubricant
Bearings
Rolling element Bearings: alloyed element with aluminum in cages
Gears
Bushings, thrust washer, silicone sealant, defoamant additive
Transmissions Brake shoes, clutch plates, ingested dirt
Hydraulic
Elastomeric seals (some) pump, motor pistons, oil coolers
Systems
Heat
Cooler tubes, baffles, plates
Exchangers
Compressors Ingested dirt, silicone sealant, bearings, cooler (alloyed with aluminum)
Turbines
Ingested dirt, silicone sealant, defoamant additive

Silver (Ag)
Silver has exceptional thermal conductivity, and is an excellent bearing plate material,
providing minimum friction. It is susceptible to corrosive attack by zinc-based additives, and
so railroads ensure that they receive zinc free oils if they run EMD locomotives. Silver is used
more outside of the US in general industrial equipment.
Equipment
Engines
Bearings
Gears
Hydraulic
Systems
Compressors
Turbines

Wear Metal Source

Valves, Valve guides, Cylinder liners, Bearings. Can also be from
heavy
Rolling element Bearings: alloyed element in rollers, races
Alloying element for tool steel gears
Bearings, servo valve plating pumps, pistons
Bearings
Bearings, shaft, reduction gears

Metallic additives
Several other elements are detected with oil analysis. The major elements found are listed here:
Element

Possible Sources
Corrosion inhibitor additive, also indicates coolant leak into oil, can also
Sodium
be road Salt, Sea water, Ingested Dirt
Corrosion Inhibitor additive, Antiwear/Antioxidant additive, can indicate
Boron
coolant leak, grease contamination
Magnesium Detergent/dispersive additive, can also be alloying element in steels
Detergent/dispersant additive, Alkaline reserve additive for high sulfur
Calcium
fueled engines, can be grease contamination,
MolybdenumSolid/liquid antiwear additive, alloy in bearing and piston rings
Barium
Corrosion inhibitors, Detergents, Rust inhibitors
Antiwear, Corrosion inhibitors, Anti-oxidants, alloying element for
Zinc
bearings, thrust washers, galvanized cases
Phosphorus Antiwear, Corrosion inhibitors, Anti-oxidants additives, EP additives

Other Wear Metals

Several other elements are detected with oil analysis. The major elements found are listed here:
Element Possible Sources
Wear metal for aircraft engines, bearings, Can also be contaminant from paint
Titanium
(titanium dioxide)