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Affirma In-service Lubricant Analysis System Guide
Affirmative results save time and money
Why wait in line for results from your in-service lubricant testing lab or outside vendor? Bring an affordable solution into your working lab with the Thermo Scientific Affirma In-service Lubricant Analysis System. Quickly acquire data with pre-programmed methods that help you manage your used-oil condition monitoring program and predictive maintenance program.
Trust Affirma lubricant analysis
Our combination of user-friendly hardware and software provides accurate answers to ensure confidence in your results with:
- Compliant methods: intuitive software leads you through sample analysis to ensure compliance with industry-standard methods
- Guided operation: complete quick-start guides and graphical workflows step you through set-up and operation in minutes
- Streamlined data collection: three configurations adapt the system to meet your sampling protocols
- World-class support: unmatched combination of warranty, service and support worldwide builds confidence for your business (learn more at Unity Lab Services).
Whether you manage a fleet of vehicles or formulate lubricants for optimal performance, rely on Affirma results to help you decide your next steps.
Affirma selection guide
Affirma in-service lubricant analysis – sampling options
We combine our market-leading Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS5 or iS10 FTIR Spectrometer with a liquid sampling accessory, guided graphical workflow software and industry-standard methods to create a complete in-service lubricant analysis system. Three sampling options are available that allow you to choose the configuration best suited to your sample processing needs.
Table 1. Affirma sampling configurations.
Which spectrometer platform should I choose?
If you need a dedicated FTIR spectrometer for used oil analysis, we recommend choosing the Affirma iS5 analysis system based on the Nicolet iS5 spectrometer-based system. If you want a higher performance spectrometer with greater flexibility for applications that go beyond oil analysis methods, we recommend purchasing the Affirma iS10 analysis system based on the Nicolet iS10 FTIR spectrometer. If you already own a Nicolet iS5 or iS10 FTIR spectrometer, you can purchase the Affirma in-service lubricant application package for the designated spectrometer that contains one of three accessory options with the Affirma workflow software.
Horizontal transmission sampling (HTRN): Choose this configuration if you want to…
- ensure direct compliance with ASTM E2412 and D7418 in-service lubricant methods
- have greater flexibility to easily analyze highly viscous oils and greases
- cost effectively change to different methods requiring longer or shorter pathlengths
- minimize sample and solvent use
Flow-through Transmission sampling (FTRN): Choose this configuration if you want to…
- ensure direct compliance with ASTM E2412 and D7418 in-service lubricant methods
- avoid contacting cell windows to ensure the longest cell life
- fill and clean the cell using a syringe to minimize operator delivery exposure
- have a flow cell that can be used manually or be connected to a pumping system
Horizontal ATR sampling (HATR): Choose this configuration if you want…
- greater flexibility to easily analyze highly viscous oils and greases
- to analyze high soot containing samples with better linearity
- open access for the easiest cell filling and cleaning
- to minimize sample and solvent use
| Horizontal Transmission | Flow-through Transmission | Horizontal ATR | |
| Spectral Resolution | 4 cm-1 | 4 cm-1 | 4 cm-1 |
| Spectral Range | 4000 - 550 cm-1 | 4000 - 550 cm-1 | 4000 - 650 cm-1 |
| Pathlength | 100 μm | 100 μm | 35 μm nominal* |
| Cell Windows | ZnSe Wedged | ZnSe Wedged | ZnSe Trough |
* Normalized to 100 μm for ASTM E2412 and E7418
Affirma workflows
Software you will love
Affirma in-service lubricant analysis provides turnkey operation and delivers the results you expect based on industry-standard methods including: ASTM D2668, D7412, D7414, D7415, D7418, D7624, E2412; JOAP; DIN 51452, DIN 51453. Powered by push-button Thermo Scientific OMNIC Schema Software, the Affirma system provides ready-to-use solutions for monitoring in-service lubricants with
- Minimal training needed: modern, easy-to-use graphical interface allows even operators with little experience to measure samples
- Easy set-up: complete quick-start guides and on-screen instructions step you through set-up and operation in minutes
- Automated reporting and connectivity: method-specific reports are quickly generated and results can be printed or sent directly to your LIMS or to colleagues
Be confident in Affirma results to make critical decisions that affect your budget and your operations.
Why analyze?
Save on costly repairs and optimize formulations
A vital tool for minimizing machinery downtime and extending drain intervals is the analysis of lubricants used to run the machinery. Like a blood test in medical diagnostics, regular testing of in-service lubricating fluids provides useful data that informs actions and decisions. As a key component of predictive maintenance, an effective lubricant analysis program helps machinery owners detect potential failures (Table 1) early to prevent costly mechanical damage. At the same time, routine lubricant analysis can help save money by allowing lubricants to be changed less frequently.
Multiple analytical techniques are used to assess critical lubricant and mechanical system parameters as part of a lubricant condition monitoring program. Infrared spectroscopy is a rapid test that provides molecular information about changes in these parameters to help alert users to different problems (Table 1). In addition, FTIR spectrometers can be used as a general tool for material identification and verification from R&D to quality control, maximizing your analytical capabilities. Whether you manufacture lubricants, manage fleets of vehicles or provide contract lubricant testing services, rely on Affirma analysis to confirm the status of your vehicles and lubricants.
Affirma selection guide
Affirma in-service lubricant analysis – sampling options
We combine our market-leading Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS5 or iS10 FTIR Spectrometer with a liquid sampling accessory, guided graphical workflow software and industry-standard methods to create a complete in-service lubricant analysis system. Three sampling options are available that allow you to choose the configuration best suited to your sample processing needs.
Table 1. Affirma sampling configurations.
Which spectrometer platform should I choose?
If you need a dedicated FTIR spectrometer for used oil analysis, we recommend choosing the Affirma iS5 analysis system based on the Nicolet iS5 spectrometer-based system. If you want a higher performance spectrometer with greater flexibility for applications that go beyond oil analysis methods, we recommend purchasing the Affirma iS10 analysis system based on the Nicolet iS10 FTIR spectrometer. If you already own a Nicolet iS5 or iS10 FTIR spectrometer, you can purchase the Affirma in-service lubricant application package for the designated spectrometer that contains one of three accessory options with the Affirma workflow software.
Horizontal transmission sampling (HTRN): Choose this configuration if you want to…
- ensure direct compliance with ASTM E2412 and D7418 in-service lubricant methods
- have greater flexibility to easily analyze highly viscous oils and greases
- cost effectively change to different methods requiring longer or shorter pathlengths
- minimize sample and solvent use
Flow-through Transmission sampling (FTRN): Choose this configuration if you want to…
- ensure direct compliance with ASTM E2412 and D7418 in-service lubricant methods
- avoid contacting cell windows to ensure the longest cell life
- fill and clean the cell using a syringe to minimize operator delivery exposure
- have a flow cell that can be used manually or be connected to a pumping system
Horizontal ATR sampling (HATR): Choose this configuration if you want…
- greater flexibility to easily analyze highly viscous oils and greases
- to analyze high soot containing samples with better linearity
- open access for the easiest cell filling and cleaning
- to minimize sample and solvent use
| Horizontal Transmission | Flow-through Transmission | Horizontal ATR | |
| Spectral Resolution | 4 cm-1 | 4 cm-1 | 4 cm-1 |
| Spectral Range | 4000 - 550 cm-1 | 4000 - 550 cm-1 | 4000 - 650 cm-1 |
| Pathlength | 100 μm | 100 μm | 35 μm nominal* |
| Cell Windows | ZnSe Wedged | ZnSe Wedged | ZnSe Trough |
* Normalized to 100 μm for ASTM E2412 and E7418
Affirma workflows
Software you will love
Affirma in-service lubricant analysis provides turnkey operation and delivers the results you expect based on industry-standard methods including: ASTM D2668, D7412, D7414, D7415, D7418, D7624, E2412; JOAP; DIN 51452, DIN 51453. Powered by push-button Thermo Scientific OMNIC Schema Software, the Affirma system provides ready-to-use solutions for monitoring in-service lubricants with
- Minimal training needed: modern, easy-to-use graphical interface allows even operators with little experience to measure samples
- Easy set-up: complete quick-start guides and on-screen instructions step you through set-up and operation in minutes
- Automated reporting and connectivity: method-specific reports are quickly generated and results can be printed or sent directly to your LIMS or to colleagues
Be confident in Affirma results to make critical decisions that affect your budget and your operations.
Why analyze?
Save on costly repairs and optimize formulations
A vital tool for minimizing machinery downtime and extending drain intervals is the analysis of lubricants used to run the machinery. Like a blood test in medical diagnostics, regular testing of in-service lubricating fluids provides useful data that informs actions and decisions. As a key component of predictive maintenance, an effective lubricant analysis program helps machinery owners detect potential failures (Table 1) early to prevent costly mechanical damage. At the same time, routine lubricant analysis can help save money by allowing lubricants to be changed less frequently.
Multiple analytical techniques are used to assess critical lubricant and mechanical system parameters as part of a lubricant condition monitoring program. Infrared spectroscopy is a rapid test that provides molecular information about changes in these parameters to help alert users to different problems (Table 1). In addition, FTIR spectrometers can be used as a general tool for material identification and verification from R&D to quality control, maximizing your analytical capabilities. Whether you manufacture lubricants, manage fleets of vehicles or provide contract lubricant testing services, rely on Affirma analysis to confirm the status of your vehicles and lubricants.