Best plastic type for oil analysis sample bottle?

[zardozfromoz]

Does anyone know what sort of plastic is best to ship oil samples in? There's PET, HDPE, LDPE, PVC, PP, PS, and probably plenty of others too. Which will result in the least possible contamination of the sample?

I have a Blackstone container here, but it has nothing written on it, so I can't tell what it's made of.

Any ideas, anyone?

 

[Ray H]

I'm unaware of motor oil having any significant ability to attack common plastics at ambient temperatures. I believe your motor oil sample contamination fears are groundless.

 

[Terry]

HDPE is what Bklabs uses. Just ensure it is well sealed after cooling to ship.

Initially we used PET bottles for our Dyson Premium kits and they cannot handle lube temps above 190F or so without deforming. In the last month or so we are using HDPE sample bottles.

I try to remember to warn those new to drawing a automotive lube oil analysis to allow the engine or unit to cool for a few minutes before sampling. There is NO reason to draw a nearly 300F sample and melt your bottle, not to mention potentially suffer a severe burn and potential chemical contaminate damage from used oil to your skin!

 

[Jim 5]

The clear milky "Nalgene" bottles that you can find at camping stores are made of MDPE or LDPE (can't remember which). Nalgene bottles seal perfectly and you can get them in 100ml bottles perfect for a sample.

 

[simple_gifts]

Aren't Nalgene bottles polycarbonate? Type 7?

 

[1040 WreckerMan]

Letting the engine cool just takes all the fun out of it. OTH I've been told I like to

I used HDPE bottles also. Now I just use whatever Blackstone sends me.

 

[Jim 5]

Not the soft milky white ones. Like these:

Most camping stores sell these for packing various toiletries etc.

 

[zardozfromoz]

Here's an interesting summary of recyclable plastics. What worries me is that HDPE and LDPE are considered to be poor gas barriers. Does that matter for oil analysis?

I've been collecting drinking yoghurt containers, which are HDPE with LDPE lids. If these two materials aren't going to be a problem, I think I've found the perfect free container (free since I like drinking the yoghurt). They seem to seal quite well. I'll test one with some old oil soon.

If I get a few ppm of acidophilus bifidus in the next UOA I'll know why.

 

[ekpolk]

Blackstone will send you a perfectly clean bottle, meant just for oil sampling, for free. No need to worry about how much wear-related yogurt your engine is generating. The Blackstone bottle also screws right on to the optional sampling pump (costs $25US IIRC). The pump and free bottle combo makes taking UOAs almost ridiculously easy.

 

[zardozfromoz]

I've used the Blackstone sample kits in the past and still have some (see first post). But I will be using a different lab in future and they don't provide free sample kits like Blackstone does. I can't really use Blackstone's kits and then send them to another lab!

 

[benjamming]

quote:

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Originally posted by zardozfromoz:
I can't really use Blackstone's kits and then send them to another lab!

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Why not?

 

[sxg6]

While we're on the topic of oil sampling bottles, when i was at Sears the other day I noticed free water sampling bottles located near the water softening supplies. They looked/felt good enough to store an oil sample, so if someone has a hard time finding a sample bottle you could try those.

 

[427Z06]

quote:

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Originally posted by zardozfromoz:
What worries me is that HDPE and LDPE are considered to be poor gas barriers. Does that matter for oil analysis?

---

I believe they mean gas, like in gas, liquid, solid. Given the thickness of the bottles, I don't believe that holding gases will be a problem.

 

[ScottB]

Nalgene bottles can handle about anything.
We even store samples for years on them with HCl and other acids.

 

[Vilan]

This link gives an idea what NOT to use.

"When viewed under the microscope, white crystals were found throughout the sample, with the occasional appearance of red crystals.

The filtration company, stumped by these findings, questioned the customer and searched further for the answer. Quick detective work revealed that the individual responsible for collecting the oil sample had gone to his desk, emptied cherry flavored antacids from a sample bottle he had stored in a drawer, and went straight to the machine to collect the sample.

Antacids did more than relieve heartburn. This sampling error cost the client three days of overtime."