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Testing Parameter & Methods
| TESTS | METHOD |
| Base Oil viscosity | ASTM D 445 |
| NLGI Grade | |
| Penetration Unworked | ASTM D 217 |
| Penetration Worked | ASTM D 217 |
| Dropping Point | ASTM D 566 |
| Copper Strip Corrosion | ASTM D 130 |
| Four Ball Weld Load | ASTM D 2596 |
| Four Ball Wear Scar 200 kgs/1200 RPM / 15 Mns | ASTM D 2596 |
| Water Washout | ASTM D 1264 |
| Oil Separation | ASTM D 6184 |
| Evaporation Loss | ASTM D2595 |
ASTM *** American Society For Testing And Materials
Base Oil Viscosity
- The viscosity of the base oil is an important property in all lubricants, including greases. The thickener and the base oil are what give a grease its lubrication properties, but it is mainly the base oil viscosity that determines the grease's lubrication capacity.
- Viscosity depends both on temperature and pressure. The temperature is always stated when measuring viscosity, as viscosity decreases as the temperature rises.
- Viscosity is normally measured in terms of the time it takes for a standard quantity of fluid to flow out through a specific opening at a given temperature.
- Base oil viscosity is given as 'Kinematic viscosity' in mm²/s at 40°C and also at 100°C.
- Method: ASTM D445
Cone Penetration
- Cone penetration the grease's consistency, i.e. softness and fluidity.
Unworked Penetration
- The temperature of the grease is brought to 25°C and placed in a container. A standardized cone is allowed to sink under its own weight into the grease in the container for 10 seconds, and the penetration distance is given in tenths of a millimeter. The higher the value, the softer the grease.
Worked Penetration
- The grease is subjected to 60 strokes over 60 seconds. A standardized cone is allowed to sink under its own weight into the grease in the container, and the penetration distance is given in tenths of a millimeter. The higher the value, the softer the grease.
NLGI
- The resulting value produces an NLGI (National Lubricating Grease Institute) rating as per the table to the right. Greases rated NLGI 0 to 000 are often used in central lubrication systems. NLGI 1 & 2 is by far the most common consistency, while NLGI grades 3 to 6 are rare.
- Method: ASTM D217
Dropping Point
- When a grease is heated, it eventually reaches a temperature where the thickener can no longer keep the oil in place. The dropping point is the temperature at which the grease releases the first drop of oil.
- The parameter is measured using a standardized method whereby a container of the grease is heated in an oil bath until the first drop of oil comes out of the container.
- At temperature above the dropping point, the grease is likely to produce more leakage.
- Method: ASTM D566
Copper Corrosion
- Copper corrosion tests are used to determine the grease's ability to protect copper metals/yellow metals and other soft alloys sometimes found in bearings.
- A polished copper strip is exposed to the grease for a specific time at a specific temperature, usually 2 hours at 120°C. The strip is then cleaned, and the colour is compared to the ASTM standard for grade determination. '1a' is the best rating on the scale.
- Method: ASTM D130
Water Resistance
- Water resistance according to the water washout test is used to measure the grease's ability to remain in place in the bearing in wet conditions.
- A water jet is sprayed onto the bearing's housing at a flow of 5 ml/s at 79°C. After the test, the housing is opened and dried at 77°C for 15 hours. The result is the amount of washed-out grease. The higher the percentage of grease remaining in the bearing, the better its resistance to water washout.
- Method: ASTM D1264
Flash Point
- The temperature at which a lubricant produces enough vapor to ignite in the presence of an ignition source.
- ASTM D 92
Bleeding Test / Oil Separation Test
- The sponge-like structure of the thickener or soap used in grease holds the base oil firm. However, if the oil flows too quickly and uncontrollably from the thickener, the grease “bleeds” away. If the remaining thickener contains too little oil for the lubrication tasks, the remaining grease dries out.
- Grease sample is exposed to a constant temperature of 390C for 24 hours.
- ASTM D 6184
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