Test requirements and methods

Click the image to see the Flash animation

Click the image to see the Flash animation

The ISO 8573-1 (2001) tests are in two parts: Part 2 and Part 5. Part 2 measures aerosols and liquids. Testing can be done through partial flow (B2) or full flow (B1) methods (see below). Part 5 measures vapors only.

Both parts are necessary to obtain ISO 8573-1 CLASS 0 (2001) certification. This means that all three sources of oil contamination – aerosol, vapor and liquid – have to be measured.

Partial flow (B2) and full flow (B1) testing methods
Both methods are acceptable for aerosol and liquid measurement according to ISO 8573-1 Part 2

The B2 method targets only the center of the air flow. Oil aerosols are registered but oil that sticks to the pipe wall (wall flow) is not detected. Most air compressor manufacturers still prefer this less stringent method.

The B1 method examines the entire air flow to measure both aerosols and wall flow. This comprehensive test method was used on the Atlas Copco Z range of oil-free air compressors. Even so, no traces of oil were found in the output air stream.

Published date: 2008-11-01 09:00