Tips & Tricks

Determination of the Oxidation Stability of Fats and Oils

External influences such as UV radiation (light), temperature, atmospheric oxygen, mechanical load or chemical/ biological media lead to premature aging in materials, resulting in a change in their chemical and physical properties.

Proper aging inhibitors (stabilizers) slow down the aging process and prolong the induction period, i.e. the time span preceding the onset of thermo-oxidative Decomposition reactionA decomposition reaction is a thermally induced reaction of a chemical compound forming solid and/or gaseous products. decomposition (chain degradation, technical failure). An important indicator of the OxidationOxidation can describe different processes in the context of thermal analysis.oxidation stability of oils, fats, lubricants, fuels or plastics is the OxidationOxidation can describe different processes in the context of thermal analysis.Oxidation Induction Temperature or OxidationOxidation can describe different processes in the context of thermal analysis.Oxidation Induction Time (O.I.T.), which can be determined by means of DSC in standardized procedures.

In practice, two different methods are used: dynamic and IsothermalTests at controlled and constant temperature are called isothermal.isothermal O.I.T. tests. In the dynamic technique, the sample is heated at a defi ned constant heating rate under oxidizing conditions until the reaction begins. The corresponding OxidationOxidation can describe different processes in the context of thermal analysis.Oxidation Induction Temperature is the same as the extrapolated onset temperature of the ExothermicA sample transition or a reaction is exothermic if heat is generated.exothermal DSC effect which occurs.

Fig. 1. Determination of the OxidationOxidation can describe different processes in the context of thermal analysis.Oxidation Induction Time for a polyolefi n as per ISO 11357-6

In IsothermalTests at controlled and constant temperature are called isothermal.isothermal O.I.T. tests, the materials to be investigated are first heated under a protective gas, then held at a constant temperature for several minutes unter protective gas to establish equilibrium, and subsequently exposed to an atmosphere of oxygen or air. The time span from the first contact with oxygen until the beginning of OxidationOxidation can describe different processes in the context of thermal analysis.oxidation is called the OxidationOxidation can describe different processes in the context of thermal analysis.Oxidation Induction Time. This is shown in figure 1.

Many national and international standards – such as ASTM D 3895 (polyethylene), DIN EN 728 (plastic pipelines), ISO 11357-6 (plastics) and ASTM D 525 (aircraft fuel) – give recommendations for sample preparation and proper selection of the measurement conditions.

Oxidation tests on lubricating oils and greases are usually carried out using a high-pressure DSC instrument (see fi gure 2). A back-pressure is generated – generally 35 bar – in an attempt to prevent evaporation of the sample. In OxidationOxidation can describe different processes in the context of thermal analysis.oxidation reactions, however, the oxygen not only serves for pressure generation, but also as a reaction partner. For this reason, both the pressure and the gas flow must be regulated with the utmost precision.

Fig. 2. NETZSCH High-Pessure DSC 204 HP (max. pressure: 150 bar)
Fig. 3. Diagram of an SFI crucible with sample (green)

Determination of the OxidationOxidation can describe different processes in the context of thermal analysis.oxidation stability is “surface-sensitive”. This means that the oil or grease fi lm to be investigated should ideally exhibit a smooth, uniform surface in order to ensure high reproducibility of the test results. Very well suited for such investigations are SFI crucibles (SFI stands for Solid Fat Index; see diagram in figure 3), as recommended in ASTM D 5483 for lubricating greases and ASTM D 6186 for lubricant oils.

Fig. 4. Sealing press and insert (enlarged scaling)

An example of these would be pan-shaped aluminum crucibles with an outer diameter of 6.7 mm and a volume of 85 µl which can be shaped with a sealing tool (built into a standard crucible press – figure 4).

In crucibles with a flat bottom, oils and greases often CreepCreep describes a time and temperature dependent plastic deformation under a constant force. When a constant force is applied to a rubber compound, the initial deformation obtained due to the application of the force is not fixed. The deformation will increase with time.creep to the rim zones at higher temperatures. The effective surface of the sample which can interact with the surrounding atmosphere is thus reduced in size. This affects the O.I.T. result (see figure 5). When the analysis is conducted in an open standard aluminum crucible (blue curve), the O.I.T. time (extrapolated onset) amounts to 64.6 min. In comparison, when analyzed in an SFI crucible (green curve), the O.I.T. is shortened considerably (to 46.4 min) due to the larger effective surface.

Fig. 5. Comparison of the O.I.T. times of a grease analyzed in a standard aluminum crucible (blue) versus an SFI crucible (green); instrument: DSC 204 HP; 35 bar oxygen