ASTM D7919-14(2021)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D7919 − 14 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Guide for
Filter Debris Analysis (FDA) Using Manual or Automated
Processes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7919; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Typically, main lubrication systems incorporate in-system filters to maintain an appropriate
lubricant cleanliness level during operation. Since the lubrication filter element removes and retains
a major portion of the solid contamination in the lubrication system, evaluation of the debris captured
withinthefilterelementaidsinthedeterminationofmachineconditionandrootcauseanalysis(RCA).
The past decade has seen more widespread use of filter debris analysis (FDA) as a condition-
monitoring tool to detect and analyze abnormal contaminant ingression into the lube system and
predict lube system component wear. This is in part due to the increased use of finer filtration in
machinery which results in a decrease of wear debris available for detection by traditional sampled oil
analysis. The U. S. military and other militaries around the world as well as Original Equipment
ManufacturershaveadoptedFDAtechniques.Commercialin-serviceoillaboratoriesarealsoutilizing
a wide range of FDA techniques, from manual to automated. It is necessary to provide a guide to
improve analysis and comparison of data.
1. Scope responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
1.1 This guide pertains to removal and analysis techniques
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
to extract debris captured by in-service lubricant and hydraulic
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
filters and to analyze the debris removed.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.2 This guide suggests techniques to remove, collect and
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
analyze debris from filters in support of machinery health
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
condition monitoring.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.3 Debris removal techniques range from manual to auto-
mated.
2. Referenced Documents
1.4 Analysis techniques vary from visual, particle counting,
microscopic, x-ray fluorescence (XRF), atomic emission spec- 2.1 ASTM Standards:
D5185 Test Method for Multielement Determination of
troscopy (AES), and scanning electron microscopy energy
dispersive x-rays (SEMEDX). Used and Unused Lubricating Oils and Base Oils by
Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrom-
1.5 This guide is suitable for use with the following filter
etry (ICP-AES)
types: screw on, metal mesh, and removable diagnostic layer
D6595 Test Method for Determination of Wear Metals and
filters.
Contaminants in Used Lubricating Oils or Used Hydraulic
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Fluids by Rotating Disc ElectrodeAtomic Emission Spec-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
trometry
D7669 Guide for Practical Lubricant Condition Data Trend
Analysis
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum
Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcom-
mittee D02.96.06 on Practices and Techniques for Prediction and Determination of
Microscopic Wear and Wear-related Properties. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2021. Published November 2021. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2014. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D7919 – 14 (2017). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D7919-14R21. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7919 − 14 (2021)
D7684 Guide for Microscopic Characterization of Particles 4. Summary of Guide
from In-Service Lubricants
4.1 This guide provides practical guidance on filter debris
D7685 Practice for In-Line, Full Flow, Inductive Sensor for
analysis of in-service lubricant filters. Various techniques for
Ferromagnetic and Non-ferromagnetic Wear Debris De-
debris removal, collection, and analysis are presented with
termination and Diagnostics for Aero-Derivative and Air-
their associated benefits and limitations.
craft Gas Turbine Engine Bearings
D7690 Practice for Microscopic Characterization of Par-
5. Significance and Use
ticles from In-Service Lubricants by Analytical Ferrogra-
5.1 This guide is intended to provide machinery mainte-
phy
nance and monitoring personnel with a guideline for perform-
D7720 Guide for Statistically Evaluating Measurand Alarm
ing filter debris analysis as a means to determine machine
Limits when Using Oil Analysis to Monitor Equipment
condition. Correlating the filter contaminants to ‘normal’ and
and Oil for Fitness and Contamination
‘abnormal’ lube system operation provides early indication of
D7898 Practice for Lubrication and Hydraulic Filter Debris
acontaminantorcomponentwearrelatedlubesystemproblem.
Analysis (FDA) for Condition Monitoring of Machinery
Analysis of the contaminant collected within the lube filter
2.2 Other Documents:
element provides a tool to identify the failure mode, its rate of
TTCP-AER-TP3-TR01-2010 Filter Debris Analysis Guide,
progression, and the source of the contamination.
July 2010, published by The Technical Cooperation Pro-
5.2 FDAdiffers from traditional oil analysis in that the filter
gram (TTCP)
is sampled instead of the fluid. Debris from the filter is
SAE AIR1828 Guide to Oil System Monitoring in Aircraft
removed for analysis. FDAis an effective means of monitoring
Gas Turbine Engines
equipmentwearbecausethewearhistoryisefficientlycaptured
in the filter matrix. Typically, more than 95 % of all released
3. Terminology
metalparticleslargerthanthefilterporesizearecapturedinthe
3.1 Definitions: filter (1). In addition, other types of particulate contamination,
includingsealwearmaterialandenvironmentalcontaminations
3.1.1 lubricant condition monitoring, n—a field of technical
are captured, which can also provide diagnostic information.
activity in which selected physical parameters associated with
an operating machine are periodically or continuously sensed,
6. Interferences
measured, and recorded for the interim purpose of reducing,
6.1 Time-on-Filter Information—If the time-on-filter is not
analyzing, comparing, and displaying the data and information
known, it is not possible to set limits for rate and severity of
so obtained and for the ultimate purpose of using interim result
particulate generation.
to support decisions related to the operation and maintenance
of the machine.
6.2 Analysis Techniques—To compare filter debris from like
equipment, the same filter extraction and analysis techniques
3.1.2 machinery health, n—a qualitative expression of the
must be utilized. Note some of the techniques in this guide are
operational status of a machine sub-component, component, or
quite subjective such as visual analysis and manual extraction,
entire machine, used to communicate maintenance and opera-
which makes interpretation of results subjective.
tional recommendations or requirements in order to continue
operation, schedule maintenance, or take immediate mainte-
6.3 Operating Conditions—Machine operational intensity
nance action.
impacts how quickly a component wears and how rapidly a
fault progresses. Similar equipment operating under different
3.1.3 prognostics, n—a forecast of the condition or remain-
conditions can generate different wear and be exposed to
ing usable life of a machine, fluid, or component part.
different contaminants. A relevant indicator of machine usage
3.1.4 remaining useful life, n—a subjective estimate based
must be included in any trend and limit calculations. (See
upon observations, or average estimates of similar items,
Guides D7669 and D7720.) The selected usage indicator must
components, or systems, or a combination thereof, of the
reflect actual machine usage, that is, life consumed for
number of remaining time that an item, component, or system
example, stop/start cycles, megawatt hours, hours of use, or
is estimated to be able to function in accordance with its
fuel consumption.
intended purpose before replacement.
6.4 Maintenance Practices—Care should be taken during
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
removalofthefiltertoensurethatmaintenancepracticesdonot
3.2.1 filter debris analysis (FDA), n—the analysis of debris contaminate the filter.
specifically extracted from a system filter for the purpose of
7. Procedures
determining the health of the oil-wetted components within
that system or the source of significant contaminants.
7.1 Typically, main lubrication systems incorporate in-
system filters to maintain an appropriate lubricant cleanliness
level during operation. The filter is incorporated either in the
Available from Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP), http://
www.acq.osd.mil/ttcp/index.html.
4 5
Available from SAE International (SAE), 400 Commonwealth Dr.,Warrendale, The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
PA 15096-0001, http://www.sae.org. this standard.
D7919 − 14 (2021)
pressure line after the main lubricant pump or on the scavenge range from manually extracting large debris from the filter to
linepriortothelubricanttank.Filterelementsarefull-flowand immersing the entire filter or sections of the filter in a solvent
provide a coherent surface for capturing contamination in the (such as polyol ester) compatible with the component oil
lubricant. The porosity of the filtration medium can be opti- system, separating the debris removed from the solvent by
mized for filtration efficiency, subject to the desired filter suction flask or simple gravity drain through cellulose media
element service life. such as a coffee filter, and then analyzing the debris by visual,
microscopic, or elemental methods. While manual techniques
7.2 Filter Media—Several filter media types are presented
can be subjective and prone to interpretation anomalies, they
that are suitable for FDA.
can produce some limited information where procedures are
7.2.1 Metal Mesh Filters—These filters are common in
strictly adhered to and where other techniques may not be
engine and gearbox applications. Any of the debris extraction
practical.
methods discussed in 7.3 can be utilized.
7.3.2 Ultrasonic Agitation—Ultrasonic agitation improves
7.2.2 Removable Diagnostic Layer—Some lubrication filter
the debris extraction from a filter element. The filter is
elements are fabricated with a removable (pull-out) diagnostic
submerged in a solvent and exposed to ultrasonic waves for a
layer, comprised of a porous medium layer. Fig. 1 depicts an
specified period of time. The solvent should be compatible
enginelubefilterelementwithadiagnosticlayer.Typically,the
with the component oil. Note some reusable filter elements
porosity of the diagnostic layer allows for efficient retention of
cannot be cleaned using ultrasonic baths as damage to the
larger size debri
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