ASTM D6184-98
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Oil Separation from Lubricating Grease (Conical Sieve Method)
Standard Test Method for Oil Separation from Lubricating Grease (Conical Sieve Method)
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is used to determine the tendency of lubricating grease to separate oil at an elevated temperature. This test method shall be conducted to a 100°C for 30 h unless other conditions are required by the grease specification.
1.2 This test method is not suitable for greases having a penetration (Test Methods D 217) greater than 340 (softer than NLGI No. 1 grade).
1.3 Values stated in acceptable SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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An American National Standard
Designation:D6184–98
Standard Test Method for
Oil Separation from Lubricating Grease (Conical Sieve
Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6184; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
The conical sieve method for measuring leakage from lubricating grease (commonly known as the
cone bleed test) is virtually the same as Federal Test Method (FTM) 791C Method 321.3, Oil
Separation from Lubricating Grease (Static Technique). Despite the lack of a precision statement,
Method 321.3 has been used for many years in military and industrial grease specifications to
determine fluid separation tendencies. Test Method D 6184 overcomes the deficiencies of the Method
321.3. It reflects the procedures and precision determinations used in a cooperative study in
Subcommittee G of Committee D–2 and is intended to supersede the FTM method.
1. Scope Separation from Lubricating Greases (Static Method)
1.1 This test method is used to determine the tendency of
3. Terminology
lubricating grease to separate oil at an elevated temperature.
3.1 Definitions:
This test method shall be conducted at 100°C for 30 h unless
3.1.1 lubricating grease, n—a semifluid to solid product of
other conditions are required by the grease specification.
a dispersion of a thickener in a liquid lubricant.
1.2 This test method is not suitable for greases having a
3.1.1.1 Discussion—Thedispersionofthethickenerformsa
penetration (Test Methods D 217) greater than 340 (softer than
2 two-phase system and immobilizes the liquid lubricant by
NLGI No. 1 grade).
surface tension and other physical forces. Other ingredients
1.3 Values stated in acceptable SI units are to be regarded as
imparting special properties are often included. D 217
the standard.
3.1.2 oil separation, n—the appearance of a liquid fraction
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all the safety
from an otherwise homogeneous lubricating composition.
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
D 1742
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety
3.1.3 thickener, n—in a lubricating grease, a substance
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
composed of finely divided particles dispersed in a liquid
tions prior to use.
lubricant to form the product’s structure.
2. Referenced Documents 3.1.3.1 Discussion—The thickener can be fibers (such as
various metallic soaps) or plates or spheres (such as certain
2.1 ASTM Standards:
non-soap thickeners) which are insoluble or, at most, only very
D 217 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating
slightly soluble in the liquid lubricant. The general require-
Grease
ments are that the solid particles be extremely small, uniformly
D 1742 Test Methods for Oil Separation from Lubricating
2 dispersed, and capable of forming a relatively stable, gel-like
Grease During Storage
structure with the liquid lubricant D 217
E 437 Specification for Industrial Wire Cloth and Screens
(Square Opening Series)
4. Summary of Test Method
2.2 Government Standard:
4.1 The weighed sample is placed in a cone-shaped, wire-
Federal Test Method (FTM) 791C Method 321.3, Oil
cloth sieve, suspended in a beaker, then heated under static
conditions for the specified time and temperature. Unless
otherwise required by the grease specification, the sample is
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-2 on
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
tested at standard conditions of 1006 0.5°C for 30 6 0.25 h.
D02.G on Lubricating Grease.
Current edition approved June 10, 1998. Published September 1998.
Originally published as D 6184-97. Last previous edition D 6184-97.
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D6184–98
The separated oil is weighed and reported as a percentage of 6.3 Balance, having a minimum capacity of 250 g and a
the mass of the starting test sample. sensitivity of at least 0.01 g.
5. Significance and Use
7. Sampling
5.1 When a lubricating grease separates oil, the residual
7.1 Examine the sample for any indication of non-
material changes in consistency, which can affect the ability of
homogeneity such as oil separation, phase changes, or gross
the product to function as designed. Test results obtained with
contamination. If any abnormal conditions are found, obtain a
this procedure are intended to correlate with oil separation that
new sample.
occurs in 35-lb pails of grease during storage. They are not
7.2 The sample submitted for analysis should be minimally
intended to predict oil separation tendencies of grease under
sufficient for duplicate testing.
dynamic service conditions.
7.3 Although the mass of the test grease is determined, the
sieve is filled by volume rather than mass. Each test will
NOTE 1—No quantitative relationship between results and oil separa-
tion in 35-lb pails has been developed. require a quantity sufficient to fill the sieve to approximately
the same level as indicated in Fig. 1 (about 10 mL). Approxi-
5.2 This test method is used for specifications and quality
mately the same volume shall be used for each test regardless
control.
of the grease density; the mass will range from about 8 to 12
NOTE 2—No data has been developed to compare results between this
g.
test method and Test Methods D 1742.
8. Preparation of Apparatus
6. Apparatus
8.1 Carefully clean the sieve, beaker, and cover, by wiping
6.1 Test Apparatus— The assembled apparatus consists of a
with a suitable solvent. Allow the sieve to air dry. See Note 4.
cone-shaped sieve constructed of 60-mesh, corrosion -resistant
wire cloth, a 200-mL tall-form beaker without spout, and a
NOTE 4—Use of an ultrasonic solvent bath has been found helpful in
cleaning the sieve.
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