RAPID SCREENING OF ROLLING-MILL OILS USING HIGH-TEMPERATURE CAPILLARYGAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY

The application of gas chromatography to rapid screening of rolling mi ll oils is investigated. A specially manufactured, high-temperature gl ass capillary column is used to separate typical rolling oil analytes such as fatty acids, mono-, di- and triglycerides, synthetic esters an d mineral oil in one analysis. The column has a long life and meets th e specifications set by ASTM D2887 for simulated distillation of miner al oils. Reliable and unique chromatograms are obtained to fingerprint a number of rolling mill oils. Information gathered can be correlated to the chemical composition and physical properties of commercial oil s. A standard gas chromatograph, equipped with a split/splitless injec tor, gives sufficient reproducibility to detect significant changes in the composition of oils. The method is under evaluation for routine s creening of batches of oils before release to the rolling mills.