铁谱仪技术的基本原理和方法就是用铁谱仪把混于润滑油(或液压油)中的磨屑和碎屑分离出来，并按其尺寸大小依次、不重叠地沉淀到一块透明的基片上(即制作谱片)，在显微镜下观察，以进行定性分析(指对磨粒的形态特征、尺寸大小及其差异等表面形貌及成分进行监测和分析)。利用加装在铁谱显微镜上的光密度计，还可以对谱片上大小磨粒的相对含量进行定量分析，也可用计算机对磨屑进行图像处理，以获取磨屑的有关参数。摩擦学的研究表明，磨粒的类别和数量的多少及增加的速度与摩擦面材料的磨损程度及磨损速度有直接的关系;而磨粒的形态、颜色及尺寸等则与磨损类型、磨损进程有密切关系。因此铁谱分析法在判断磨损故障的部位、严重程度、发展趋势及产生的原因等方面能发挥全面的作用。

The basic principle and method of ferrography technology is the use of ferrography to mix in lubricating oil (or hydraulic oil) debris and debris separated in, and according to their size, are not overlapping precipitation to a transparent substrate on (i.e. making spectra), under the microscope in the qualitative analysis (refer to monitor and analyze the morphological characteristics, grain size and the difference of surface morphology and composition). With the addition of optical densitometer on Ferrograph microscope, the relative content of abrasive grains can be quantitatively analyzed, and computer can also be used for image processing of debris, so as to get relevant parameters of debris. Tribological research shows that the number and speed of abrasive particles are directly related to the wear degree and wear speed of friction surface materials, and the shape, color and size of abrasive grains are closely related to wear types and wear processes. Therefore, the ferrography analysis can play a comprehensive role in judging the location, severity, development trend and causes of the wear failure.