ITH Oxi Plus Independent Temperature-Controlled Oxidation Stability Tester with Solid Bath
| Brand | FORZA |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Model | ITH Oxi Plus |
| Temperature Range | 40–250 °C |
| Temperature Control Accuracy | ±0.1 °C |
| Flow Measurement Options | Rotameter or Digital Mass Flow Controller |
Overview
The ITH Oxi Plus is an independently temperature-controlled oxidation stability tester engineered for rigorous evaluation of petroleum-based fluids—including lubricating oils, turbine oils, hydraulic fluids, and transformer oils—under accelerated oxidative stress conditions. Unlike conventional bath-type testers relying on shared thermal mass, the ITH Oxi Plus employs a solid-metal heating block architecture with fully isolated thermal zones for each test position. This design eliminates cross-position thermal coupling and enables simultaneous execution of disparate ASTM, ISO, and IP test methods—such as ASTM D943 (TOST), ASTM D2272 (RBO), ASTM D2896 (Total Base Number decay under oxidation), and ISO 12136—within a single instrument run. Oxidation stability is quantified by monitoring oxygen consumption, acid number rise, sludge formation, or viscosity change over time at precisely maintained elevated temperatures in the presence of catalytic metal surfaces (e.g., copper and iron wires) and controlled airflow.
Key Features
- Independent digital PID temperature control per test station ensures ±0.1 °C stability across the full operating range of 40 °C to 250 °C—critical for method-specific thermal protocols requiring tight tolerances.
- Modular solid-metal bath assembly provides superior thermal uniformity, mechanical rigidity, and long-term calibration retention compared to liquid baths.
- Integrated over-temperature safety cut-off switch de-energizes heating elements if any zone exceeds user-defined thermal limits, complying with IEC 61010-1 requirements for laboratory electrical equipment.
- Flexible gas flow integration: supports either calibrated glass-tube rotameters (for visual flow verification) or traceable digital mass flow controllers (MFCs) with RS-485/Modbus output for automated flow logging and audit-ready data capture.
- Front-panel touchscreen interface with password-protected method storage, real-time temperature/flow trending, and event logging—including start/stop timestamps, setpoint deviations, and alarm triggers.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The ITH Oxi Plus accommodates standard ASTM sample vessels (e.g., 300-mL glass oxidation tubes, 500-mL stainless steel pressure reactors) and supports both open- and closed-system configurations. Its modular thermal architecture permits concurrent testing of dissimilar samples—e.g., mineral oil vs. synthetic ester—each under its own specified temperature and airflow regime. The system conforms to essential regulatory and quality framework requirements: it supports GLP-compliant operation via electronic signature-capable software (when paired with optional PC interface), meets mechanical safety provisions of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Annex A.2 for test equipment validation, and facilitates alignment with ASTM D4310 (oxidation corrosion testing) and ISO 20816-1 (vibration severity assessment of rotating machinery lubricants). All firmware and calibration records are stored internally with date/time stamps and user IDs.
Software & Data Management
When connected to a host PC via USB or Ethernet, the ITH Oxi Plus integrates with FORZA’s Oxidata Suite—a validated Windows application supporting 21 CFR Part 11 compliance through role-based access control, electronic signatures, and immutable audit trails. Data export options include CSV, PDF reports (with embedded metadata: operator ID, method ID, calibration certificate numbers), and direct import into LIMS platforms via HL7 or ASTM E1384 interfaces. All temperature and flow readings are timestamped at 1-second intervals; raw datasets retain full resolution without interpolation or averaging. Calibration certificates for MFCs and RTD sensors are digitally linked to test records to satisfy FDA and EU Annex 11 traceability mandates.
Applications
- Accelerated oxidation life prediction of aviation turbine oils per ASTM D874 and DEF STAN 91-91.
- Base stock oxidation screening during formulation development of API Group II+, III, and PAO-based lubricants.
- Corrosion inhibitor efficacy testing in industrial gear oils using ASTM D1748 and D2619 protocols.
- Transformer oil aging simulation under IEEE C57.106 thermal-oxidative stress profiles.
- Quality assurance release testing for military-specification lubricants (MIL-PRF-2104G, MIL-PRF-81322F).
FAQ
Can the ITH Oxi Plus run ASTM D943 and ASTM D2272 simultaneously?
Yes—each of its test positions operates with independent thermal and airflow control, enabling concurrent execution of distinct test standards without method interference.
Is third-party calibration support available for the integrated RTDs and flow meters?
Yes—FORZA-certified calibration services are offered globally, including NIST-traceable documentation and ISO/IEC 17025-accredited certificates upon request.
Does the system meet requirements for GMP-regulated environments?
When configured with Oxidata Suite and appropriate IT infrastructure, the ITH Oxi Plus supports GMP Annex 11 and 21 CFR Part 11 compliance, including audit trail generation, electronic signatures, and data integrity controls.
What maintenance is required for the solid-metal heating block?
No consumables or fluid replenishment are needed; periodic verification of RTD accuracy and cleaning of test port seals with isopropyl alcohol constitute routine maintenance.
Can custom test profiles be programmed beyond standard ASTM/ISO methods?
Yes—the touchscreen interface and Oxidata Suite allow creation and validation of user-defined temperature ramps, dwell times, and flow sequences, with full version control and change history tracking.
