Some oils are formulated with metal-containing additives that act as detergents, antioxidants, antiwear agents, etc. Some of these additives contain one or more of these metals: barium, calcium, zinc, and magnesium. This test method provides a means of determining the concentration of these metals that gives an indication of the additive content in these oils.

1.1 This test method is applicable for the determination of mass percent barium from 0.005 to 1.0 %, calcium and magnesium from 0.002 to 0.3 %, and zinc from 0.002 to 0.2 % in lubricating oils.

1.2 Higher concentrations can be determined by appropriate dilution. Lower concentrations of metals such as barium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc at about 10 ppm level can also be determined by this test method. Use of this test method for the determination at these lower concentrations should be by agreement between the buyer and the seller.

1.3 Lubricating oils that contain viscosity index improvers may give low results when calibrations are performed using standards that do not contain viscosity index improvers.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific warning statements are given in 3.1, 6.3, and 8.1.