Quality Assessment of commerctal Brands of Lubricating Oils

Abstract

Different commercial brands of lubricating oils available in the markets of the Punjab province, Pakistan have been tested by measuring physical characteristics like kinematic viscosity, viscosity index, flash point, sulphated ash contents, colour and appearance etc. using ASTM methods. Statistics, based on a period offouryears, showthat only 22% samples collected by District Administration prove to be true according to their labelled specifications which is an indicative of high level of adulteration in commercial brands of lubricating oils. However, all the samples provided directly by different blending plants of oil marketing companies show conformity with their standard specifications.