There isn't a single, universal "ISO code for oil" in the way one might expect, like a product code. Instead, ISO codes related to oil primarily refer to oil cleanliness standards, specifically particulate contamination levels. The reference provided focuses on ISO 4406, which is a standard for quantifying the number of particles in hydraulic fluid, lubricating oil, and similar liquids.
Instead of a code for oil, the ISO codes define how clean the oil is. A typical ISO cleanliness code is represented as three numbers, like ISO 16/13/11. Let's break this down further:
Understanding ISO 4406 Cleanliness Codes
The ISO 4406 standard utilizes a three-number code to represent the level of particulate contamination, with each number corresponding to a specific size range. The reference gives the following examples:
- ISO Code 11: Represents a particle count range of 10 to 20 particles within the specified size range (usually >4µm, but also for other sizes like >6 µm).
- ISO Code 12: Represents a particle count range of 20 to 40 particles within the specified size range.
So, the code ISO 16/13/11 indicates different levels of particle contamination across various size categories. In general, the lower the number, the cleaner the oil is. This code is often used in filtration to determine the required level of cleanliness.
ISO 4406 - Practical Application and Interpretation
Here's how to interpret and apply ISO 4406 codes:
- Three Numbers: The most common form is the three-number code, each representing a particle size range usually including >4 µm, >6 µm and >14 µm in hydraulic oils.
- Particle Count: Each number corresponds to a specific range of particle counts in a given sample volume.
- Cleanliness Goal: As seen in the reference, a typical oil cleanliness goal might be ISO 16/13/11. This implies a target level of acceptable contamination for a particular application.
Examples
To illustrate, here's a hypothetical breakdown:
- ISO 16: Indicates a specific particle count between 320-640 in the range >4µm (as an example).
- ISO 13: Indicates a particle count between 40 and 80 within >6 µm (as an example).
- ISO 11: Indicates a particle count between 10 and 20 within >14 µm (as an example).
This specific code signifies that the oil contains more smaller particles than larger ones which is typical in well-maintained systems.
Key Takeaways
- The ISO code doesn't directly represent "oil" itself, but rather the cleanliness level of oil.
- ISO 4406 is the specific standard used to define particulate contamination.
- Lower numbers in the ISO code indicate a higher level of cleanliness.
- The three numbers relate to particle counts within different size ranges.
