nfrared analysis has been employed as an analytical technique for many years, with respect to monitoring used lubes, but its application was heretofore highly limited by :

1. A need for a reference sample (usually a new sample of lube being analyzed).
2. Opacity of the sample.
3. A) Lack of sufficiently sophisticated instrumentation.
B) Corresponding costs to obtain trustworthy data.

The above objections could be partially overcome where the analyzing facility limited its scope to only a few products or base materials, such as an individual lube formulator analyzing only his own products.

The technology, however, is now available to transcend the limitations above, and is offered as a routine service.