Trucking Transmission Fluid Analysis

Manual and automatic transmission fluids are affected by thermal conditions, gear loads and traffic variables. Harsh operating conditions can create significant challenges for transmission and gearbox fluids.  Regular analysis of transmission fluids will determine wear debris, contaminants and moisture. Heavy loads and high stress on the truck transmission system will have an effect on the transmission fluid thereby causing a thermal breakdown. 

Under high load conditions, the breakdown or failure of transmission fluid will cause oxidation that produces a sludge or varnish in the gearbox. Left unchecked, these conditions will ultimately have an effect on the mechanical systems affecting performance and eventually cause gear failure.

Clark Labs has specialty gearbox testing services to measure gear wear performance, friction, oxidation and wear resistance. Our FZG Gear Lubricant Test evaluates anti-wear characteristics and load carrying capacities of lubricants. The FZG gear test rig simulates a misaligned gear set operating in a bath of lubricant subjected to 12 increasing torque load stages. Tooth-wear is examined between stages for scuffing or scoring to assess the fluids performance. 

Recommended Test Package Includes:

ASTM D5185 - ICP Spectroscopy

ASTM D4377 - Karl Fischer

ASTM D445 - Viscosity

ASTM  E2412 - FTIR

ASTM D5984 - Base Number

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