Quantitative determination of moisture in lubricants by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

This paper describes the development of a practical Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) method for the determination of moisture in lubricants through the combined use of signal transduction and differential spectroscopy to circumvent matrix effects. The acid-catalyzed stoichiometric reaction of 2,2-dimethoxypropane (DMP) with moisture to produce acetone was used to provide IR signals proportional to the amount of moisture present in oils. Calibration standards were prepared by spiking polyalphaolefin (PAO) gravimetrically with water using dioxane as a carrier.