Applications of Mass Spectrometric Techniques to the Analysis of Fuels and Lubricants

The application of mass spectrometric techniques for the analysis of the complex mix‐ tures inherent in fuel and lubricant samples will be examined. These samples because they are naturally complex mixtures, typically requires either very high resolution mass spectrometry or one of the hyphenated techniques gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry(GC‐MS) or liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS). Some fuel problems that can be addressed through mass spectrometry are associated with the changes in composition and degradation of fuels as they age, including the analysis of both major hydrocarbon components non‐polar components and minor polar compo‐ nents will be described. The properties and composition of natural and major classes of synthetic lubricants, the presence of additives and the problems that develop as the lubri‐ cant is used such as additive depletion, thermal and oxidative degradation and lubricant contamination have also been examined using mass spectrometric techniques.