Petroleum Products Research Department

Since 1952, SwRI has offered extensive petroleum products research services, providing chemical and physical analyses, as well as most standard ASTM international, federal, and industrial testing. The Institute's standardized fuels and lubricants test program is known worldwide. Extensive facilities, staffed by experienced engineers, scientists, and technicians, are recognized by industry and government for innovations in petroleum technology.

The Petroleum Products Research Department measures the quality and determines regulatory compliance of fuels, automatic transmission fluids, brake fluids, gear lubricants, hydraulic oils, coolant, antifreeze, and gasoline and diesel engine oils. The department provides sampling services at service stations as well as sample kits for terminal and automotive clients. Test equipment includes octane and cetane engines meeting ASTM Coordinating Fuels Research (CFR) specifications and injector systems for induction system and fuel injector deposit and clean-up studies.

SwRI uses state-of-the-art analytical techniques, including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) gas chromatography with mass selective detector (GCMS). Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and energy and wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses are used to gather elemental information on solid and liquid samples.

The department provides analytical and physical testing to evaluate and qualify all types of fuels, lubricants, and functional fluids. Tests are carried out on gasolines, diesel fuels, synthetic or non-conventional fuels, crankcase oils, automatic transmission fluids, gear oils, coolant/antifreeze, and greases. In addition to standard ASTM tests, a number of independent programs support clients' efforts to characterize and evaluate a broad range of petroleum and automotive products. Emission samples can also be analyzed for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon type using extraction, clean-up, and GCMS procedures.

The Petroleum Products Research Department is a Nuclear Procurement Issues Committee (NUPIC)-approved laboratory, the Fuels and Driveline Lubricants Research Department has maintained its status as an American Chemistry Council (ACC)-approved laboratory, and the Engine and Emissions Research Department has received the Ford Customer-Driven Quality Award and maintained its status as a Caterpillar-certified Supplier.

To learn more about the Evaluation of Oil Corrosiveness at SwRI, visit oilcorr.swri.org.

Gerry A. Estrada, Director

Petroleum Products Research Department

Procedures/Tests Available

Shear Stability, Oxidation, Friction, and Wear Tests

Standardized Lubricant Chemical Bench Tests

Division Publications