application of a mixed solvent system in the determination of metals in lubricating oils using atomic absorption spectrometry

Analysis of lubricating oils and their additives for Ni, Zn, Mg and Ca was carried out by the proposed method using benzene-acetic acid/methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) mixed solvent system. Flame atomic absorption spectrometry using air-acetylene flame was employed with the incorporation of concentrated hydrochloric acid into the solvent mixture. The large dilution of samples employed due to flexible working range of this procedure eliminates the need for matched standard hence the same standards are adequate for all types of lubricating oil samples and additives. No effect on the analysis arising from varying viscosities of the oil samples was observed. Results obtained for a wide range of lubricating oils and automatic transmission fluids revealed good agreement with those obtained by established ASTM chemical procedure.