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CONFIDENTIAL PATENT PENDING
E v a l u a t i o n o f F i el d T est M et h o d s f o r D O T - 3 a n d D O T - 4 B r a k e F l u i d s Cleanlinessand Fluid Degradation
March 28, 2005
By:
Herguth Laboratories, Inc William R. Herguth, President Guy Nadeau, Technical Specialist
Executive Summary: The development of a quick, reliable, field measurement technique for contamination and fluid degradation of DOT 3 and 4 Brake fluids is an essential first line of defense against brake system malfunctions. Notwithstanding manufactures’ recommendations, a quick, in the field analysis offers users and service providers an opportunity to make critical decisions about the need for changing brake fluid.
This study demonstrates that the use of a convenient fluid spot test, employing Radial Planar Chromatography (RPC) technology is quick and highly reliable. When compared to commercially available test strips that measure copper alone in brake fluid it is a much more comprehensive and reliable indicator of overall fluid contamination and quality.
C on cl u si on :
Given the critical nature of brake system integrity and the need to perform service before expensive or life threatening malfunctions occur, an in-the-field test that measures the “total” system cleanliness and serviceability is essential. The RPC analysis method meets the requirementsof suchatest.
Back gr ound:
Radial Planar Chromatography: Chromatographicmethodsforanalyzingfluidsdatetotheearly twentiethcentury. Influidanalysis,aquickandeffectivetechniqueformeasuringandidentifyingvarious components are Radial Planar Chromatography (RPC). The term “ radial” refers to the circle formation of the fluid after the sample has eluted (dispersed) on a substrate, when left on a horizontal plane. Thus the term;RadialPlanarChromatographyisused. Inmakingtheinterpretationofthecomponents,theposition of the resultant bands or zones, after development (dispersion), is analyzed by appropriate methods. Because of its convenience and simplicity, sharpness of separations, high sensitivity, speed of separation and ease of recovery of the sample components, the method finds many applications.
When used as a brake fluid analysis tool, various contaminants show unique trends during the life of the fluid. These characteristics are seen as bands or zones of different colors, densities and evenunwanteddebris. Changesintheappearanceofthezones/bandsareaclearindicationthat something in the fluid has changed.
A closer look at the zones, their unique formation, and the debris field contained therein will reveal high particle contamination and discoloration due to fluid contamination or degradation. This can be done with the unaided eye if the situation is severe or by using a simple magnifying glass in cleaner systems.
Brake Fluid and Systems: The increasing use of ABS type brake systems in automobiles and light trucks has presented a need for a higher level of scrutiny of the condition of their hydraulic
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