Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) turns a small oil sample into clear maintenance intelligence. The sample is nebulised into an argon plasma, where atoms are excited and then emit light at element-specific wavelengths in the UV/visible range. The intensity at those wavelengths is proportional to concentration, which means that metals and additives can be quantified precisely against calibration curves.

In the latest high-tech ICP instruments at WearCheck, modern Echelle optics with CCD/CID detectors capture many wavelengths at once, enabling fast, simultaneous multi-element analysis with excellent sensitivity and selectivity. Rigorous calibration underpins accuracy: certified reference materials, tight linearity (very high R² values), daily calibration checks, scheduled services and periodic method validation keep results reliable across different lubricant types.

High-throughput autosamplers enable us to process 100+ samples per hour, with multiple rapid reads per sample to strengthen precision. Automated quality controls pause analysis if anything falls out of spec. Aligned to recognised methods (such as ASTM D5185), this approach provides consistent insight into additive health, contamination and component wear, helping teams decide if oil is fit for service, spot abnormal wear early and plan interventions before minor issues become failures. In short, WearCheck offers faster turnaround, lower detection limits and data you can trust.

For a deep-dive into our ICP offerings, you can read our latest Technical Bulletin 94, which can be downloaded here.