Materials System Specification

26-SAMSS-088 30 July 2019

Turbine Oils
Document Responsibility: Vibration and Lubrication Standards Committee

Contents
1 General Scope .................................................. 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations ................................... 2
3 References........................................................ 2
4 Turbine Oils....................................................... 3
5 Qualification ...................................................... 7
6 Identification ...................................................... 7
Revision Summary................................................... 8

Previous Issue: 16 May 2019 Next Planned Update: 22 November 2022

Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin Page 1 of 8
Contact: Aidarous, Mamdouh B. (AIDAROMB) at phone +966-13-8809718

©Saudi Aramco 2019. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Vibration and Lubrication Standards Committee 26-SAMSS-088
Issue Date: 30 July 2019
Next Planned Update: 22 November 2022 Turbine Oils

1 General Scope

This specification describes the requirements for different types of Turbine Lubricants to
be used in different rotating equipment for lubrication.

2 Conflicts and Deviations

2.1 Any conflicts between this document and other applicable Mandatory Saudi
Aramco Engineering Requirements (MSAERs) shall be addressed to the EK&RD
Coordinator.

2.1 Any deviation from the requirements herein shall follow internal company
procedure SAEP-302.

3 References

Material supplied to this specification shall comply with applicable sections of the latest
edition (unless an edition is specified) of the references listed below or in the body of
this document.

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure

SAEP-302 Waiver of a Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirement

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American Society for Testing and Materials

ASTM D92 Standard Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by
Cleveland Open Cup
ASTM D130 Standard Test Method for Detection of Copper
Corrosion from Petroleum Products by the
Copper Strip Tarnish Test
ASTM D445 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of
Transparent and Opaque Liquids
ASTM D482 Standard Test Method for Ash from Petroleum
Products
ASTM D665 Standard Test Method for Rust-Preventing
Characteristics of Inhibited Mineral Oil in the
Presence of Water

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©Saudi Aramco 2019. All rights reserved.
Document Responsibility: Vibration and Lubrication Standards Committee 26-SAMSS-088
Issue Date: 30 July 2019
Next Planned Update: 22 November 2022 Turbine Oils

ASTM D892 Standard Test Method for Foaming Characteristics

of Lubricating Oils
ASTM D943 Standard Test Method for Oxidation Characteristics
of Inhibited Mineral Oils
ASTM D974 Standard Test Method for Acid and Base Number by
Color-Indicator Titration
ASTM D1401 Standard Test Method for Water Separability of
Petroleum Oils and Synthetic Fluids
ASTM D2270 Standard Practice for Calculating Viscosity Index
from Kinematic Viscosity at 40 and 100°C
ASTM D2272 Standard Test Method for Oxidation Stability of
Steam Turbine Oils by Rotating Pressure Vessel
ASTM D2882 Standard Test Method for Indicating the Wear
Characteristics of Petroleum and Non-Petroleum
Hydraulic Fluids in a Constant Volume Vane Pump
ASTM D3427 Standard Test Method for Air Release Properties of
Petroleum Oils

German Institute for Standardization

DIN 51354-2 Testing of lubricants; FZG gear test rig; method
A/8,3/90 for lubricating oils

Institute of Petroleum
IP 280 Standard Test Method for Oxidation Stability of
Inhibited Mineral Turbine Oils

4 Turbine Oils

4.1 Turbine Oils 32, 46, 68, and 100

4.1.1 Scope

This specification describes the requirements of turbine oils for use in

steam turbines, compressors, pumps, hydraulic, and circulating oil
systems. Also, ISO VG 68 for centrifugal refrigeration compressors
where refrigeration oils are not required.

Page 3 of 8
©Saudi Aramco 2019. All rights reserved.
Document Responsibility: Vibration and Lubrication Standards Committee 26-SAMSS-088
Issue Date: 30 July 2019
Next Planned Update: 22 November 2022 Turbine Oils

4.1.2 Requirements

The oils shall be of premium quality blended from highly refined

distillate virgin base oil and shall be free from suspended solids, water
and other impurities and formulated to meet the following:
ISO Viscosity Grades : 32, 46, 68, and 100
Appearance : Clear and Bright
Corrosion, copper strip, 3 hrs. at 100ºC
(ASTM D130) : 1b Maximum
Demulsification (ASTM D1401) : Complete separation
after 15 min.
Foam tendency/stability (ASTM D892) : Sequence I, ml 10/0 max.
II, ml 10/0 max.
III, ml 10/0 max.
Oxidation Stability (ASTM D943) : 2,000 hours minimum
Oxidation Stability (RPVOT),
(ASTM D2272) : 500 minutes minimum
Oxidation characteristics (IP 280)
Total oxidation products (TOP), mass % : 1.0 Maximum
Sludge content of TOP, mass % : 40.0 Maximum
Rust Inhibition (ASTM D665A) : Pass
Total Acid No. (ASTM D974), mgKOH/g : 0.10 Maximum
Viscosity Index (ASTM D 2270) : 95 Minimum
Kinematic Viscosity cSt at 40°C (ASTM D 445):
VG 32 : 28.8 - 35.2 cSt
ISO VG 46 : 41.4 - 50.6 cSt
ISO VG 68 : 61.2 - 74.8 cSt
ISO VG 100 : 90.0 - 110 cSt
Ash Oxide (ASTM D482) : Nil
Metals content, any one metal : 5 ppm max.
Cleanliness Level during delivery : NAS 8 or equivalent
maximum
Page 4 of 8
©Saudi Aramco 2019. All rights reserved.
Document Responsibility: Vibration and Lubrication Standards Committee 26-SAMSS-088
Issue Date: 30 July 2019
Next Planned Update: 22 November 2022 Turbine Oils

4.2 Gas Turbine Oil 32

4.2.1 Scope

This specification describes the requirements of oil for severe service

conditions in all Saudi Aramco industrial combustion gas turbines and
specifically for GE Frame 7 and above.

4.2.2 Requirements

The oil shall be made from hydrotreated base oil and formulated with
ashless additives designed to resist oxidation, rust and corrosion,
foaming and system wear. It shall be free from water, sediment and
inorganic acids. It shall meet the requirements of GEK-32568J and
approved by General Electric Company by brand name.
Viscosity Grade : ISO VG 32
Viscosity Index (ASTM D 2270) : 110 Minimum
Flash Point, °C, (ASTM D92) : 220 Minimum
Foaming, ASTM D892 Seq. I, II, & III : 10/0 Maximum
Air Release Value (ASTM D 3427) : 3 Minutes Maximum
TOST Life (ASTM D 943) : 10,000 Hours
Minimum
RPVOT (ASTM D 2272) : 950 Minutes,
Minimum
FZG Scuffing, DIN 51354-2, A/8.3/90, Fail Stage : 9 Minimum
Cleanliness Level during delivery, Max : NAS 8 or equivalent

4.3 Turbo Compressor Oil 46

4.3.1 Scope

This specification describes the requirements of special turbine oils for

axial and centrifugal gas compressors, where a common lubricant is used
in the driver, gearbox, compressor, and combined lube and seal oil
system, also rotary air compressors and industrial gas turbines where
turbine oils are specified. Also, suitable for use in steam turbines,
pumps, hydraulic systems, and circulating systems where improved
oxidation stability is required to prevent or minimize varnish deposits on
shafts, bearings, seals, and gears.

Page 5 of 8
©Saudi Aramco 2019. All rights reserved.
Document Responsibility: Vibration and Lubrication Standards Committee 26-SAMSS-088
Issue Date: 30 July 2019
Next Planned Update: 22 November 2022 Turbine Oils

Commentary Note:

This Turbo Compressor oil is not intended to replace Saudi Aramco

Turbine Oil 46 for general use when varnish deposits are not an issue
and longer oil life is not an essential requirement.

4.3.2 Requirements

The oils shall be of premium quality blended from highly refined hydro-
processed virgin base oil meeting API Group II/III specifications and
shall be free from suspended solids, water and other impurities, and
formulated to meet the following:
ISO Viscosity Grades : 46
Appearance : Clear and Bright
Flash Point °C (ASTM D92) : 230 minimum
Corrosion, copper strip, 3 hrs. at
100°C (ASTM D130) : 1b maximum
Demulsification (ASTM D1401) : Complete separation
after 15 minutes
Foam tendency/stability (ASTM D892) : Sequence
I, ml 10/0 maximum
II, ml 10/0 maximum
III, ml 10/0 maximum
Oxidation stability (ASTM D943) : 10,000 hours
minimum
Oxidation stability (RPVOT), (ASTM D2272) : 1,000 minutes
minimum
Oxidation characteristics (IP 280)
Total oxidation products (TOP), mass % : 1.0 maximum
Sludge content of TOP, mass % : 40.0 maximum
Rust Inhibition (ASTM D665A) : Pass
Acid No. (ASTM D974) mgKOH/g : 0.10 maximum
Viscosity Index (ASTM D 2270) : 105 minimum
(Note: The oil shall not contain additives to improve viscosity index.)

Page 6 of 8
©Saudi Aramco 2019. All rights reserved.
Document Responsibility: Vibration and Lubrication Standards Committee 26-SAMSS-088
Issue Date: 30 July 2019
Next Planned Update: 22 November 2022 Turbine Oils

Kinematic Viscosity cSt at 40°C (ASTM D 445)

ISO VG 46 grades : 41.4 - 50.6 cSt
Ash Oxide (ASTM D482) : Nil
Metals content, any one metal : 5 ppm maximum
Air Release Value at 50°C, (ASTM D3427) : 4 minutes maximum
FZG Failure Load Stage (DIN 51354-2) : 9 Minimum
Cleanliness Level during delivery, Max : NAS 8 or equivalent

5 Qualification

The supplier shall provide evidence of qualification as stipulated above together with a
1-liter sample against which all supplies of the respective product must comply within
industry accepted tolerances. Initial qualification and any subsequent formulation
changes must be approved by the Responsible Standardization Agency.

6 Identification

Each container shall be marked as follows:

 Saudi Aramco Turbine Oil 32 Material Master Number 1000172836 or 1000172838
 Saudi Aramco Turbine Oil 46 Material Master Number 1000172864 or 1000172866
or 1000172868
 Saudi Aramco Turbine Oil 68 Master Material Number 1000172920 or 1000172922
 Saudi Aramco Turbine Oil 100 Master Material Number 1000645108
 Saudi Aramco Gas Turbine Oil 32 Material Master Number 1000173547
 Saudi Aramco Turbo Compressor Oil 46 Material Master Number 1000172966 or
1000756096
Commentary Note:

The Material Master Number varies based on container size.

 Fill date and location

 Batch Number
 Blender's Name or other identification
 Saudi Aramco Purchase Order Number.

Page 7 of 8
©Saudi Aramco 2019. All rights reserved.
Document Responsibility: Vibration and Lubrication Standards Committee 26-SAMSS-088
Issue Date: 30 July 2019
Next Planned Update: 22 November 2022 Turbine Oils

Revision Summary
22 November 2017 New Saudi Aramco Materials System Specification that describes the requirements for
different types of Machinery Lubricants to be used in different rotating equipment for
lubrication.
16 May 2019 Editorial revision to modify the title of reference SAEP-302
30 July 2019 Editorial revision to:
- Change the revision cycle from three years(22 November 2020) to five years
(22 November 2022)
- Reflect document’s references in the proper section(s)/paragraph(s) to comply with
SAEP-301.

Page 8 of 8
©Saudi Aramco 2019. All rights reserved.