PLTL-08 Crackle Test
This is a rapid test to determine if free or emulsified water is present in lubricating oil. Dissolved water may not be detected. The detection level of this test is approximately 0.2 % of water, if lower levels are of interest, please consider ASTM D4377.
A hotplate is heated to 400°F and a drop of the sample oil is dropped onto it. If the oil bubbles, “crackles” or spits it indicates that water is present at about 0.2% or above. A negative crackly test indicates that the sample contains either no water or water of less than 0.2%.