LAUSR

Abstract Analysis and evaluation of the degradation rate of the synthetic lubricating oil in diesel vehicle engines under the operating effect were carried out by exploiting: Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and Infrared Fourier Transform (FTIR). EPR measurements of the degraded samples reveal that the spectra shape depends on the nature of the used oil and stable free radicals that are produced. Almost a linear correlation between the concentration of these radicals and the degradation rate, expressed in the number of kilometers traveled by vehicle, is observed. The results of FTIR measurements revealed the production of organic compounds from degradation. Both EPR and FTIR techniques seem to be effective for analyzing the quality of the lubricating oil and the evaluation of its rate of degradation.