ASTM D6185-11
(Practice)Standard Practice for Evaluating Compatibility of Binary Mixtures of Lubricating Greases
Standard Practice for Evaluating Compatibility of Binary Mixtures of Lubricating Greases
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The compatibility of greases can be important for users of grease-lubricated equipment. It is well known that the mixing of two greases can produce a substance markedly inferior to either of its constituent materials. One or more of the following can occur. A mixture of incompatible greases most often softens, sometimes excessively. Occasionally, it can harden. In extreme cases, the thickener and liquid lubricant will completely separate. Bleeding can be so severe that the mixed grease will run out of an operating bearing. Excessive syneresis can occur, forming pools of liquid lubricant separated from the grease. Dropping points can be reduced to the extent that grease or separated oil runs out of bearings at elevated operating temperatures. Such events can lead to catastrophic lubrication failures.
Because of such occurrences, equipment manufacturers recommend completely cleaning the grease from equipment before installing a different grease. Service recommendations for grease-lubricated equipment frequently specify the caveat–do not mix greases under any circumstances. Despite this admonition, grease mixing will occur and, at times, cannot be avoided. In such instances, it would be useful to know whether the mixing of two greases could lead to inadequate lubrication with disastrous consequences. Equipment users most often do not have the resources to evaluate grease compatibility and must rely on their suppliers. Mixing of greases is a highly imprudent practice. Grease and equipment manufacturers alike recognize such practices will occur despite all warnings to the contrary. Thus, both users and suppliers have a need to know the compatibility characteristics of the greases in question.
There are two approaches to evaluating the compatibility of grease mixtures. One is to determine whether such mixtures meet the same specification requirements as the constituent components. This approach is not addressed by this practice. Instead, this practice takes a specifi...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers a protocol for evaluating the compatibility of one or three binary mixtures of lubricating greases by comparing their properties or performance relative to those of the neat greases comprising the mixture.
1.2 Three properties are evaluated in a primary testing protocol using standard test methods: (1) dropping point by Test Method D566 (or Test Method D2265); (2) shear stability by Test Methods D217, 100 000–stroke worked penetration; and (3) storage stability at elevated-temperature by change in 60-stroke penetration (Test Method D217). For compatible mixtures (those passing all primary testing), a secondary (nonmandatory) testing scheme is suggested when circumstances indicate the need for additional testing.
1.3 Sequential or concurrent testing is continued until the first failure. If any mixture fails any of the primary tests, the greases are incompatible. If all mixtures pass the three primary tests, the greases are considered compatible.
1.4 This practice applies only to lubricating greases having characteristics suitable for evaluation by the suggested test methods. If the scope of a specific test method limits testing to those greases within a specified range of properties, greases outside that range cannot be tested for compatibility by that test method. An exception to this would be when the tested property of the neat, constituent greases is within the specified range, but the tested property of a mixture is outside the range because of incompatibility.
1.5 This practice does not purport to cover all test methods that could be employed.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and practices and determi...
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Designation: D6185 − 11
Standard Practice for
Evaluating Compatibility of Binary Mixtures of Lubricating
1
Greases
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6185; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
1.1 This practice covers a protocol for evaluating the
tions prior to use. For specific safety information, see 7.2.3.
compatibility of one or three binary mixtures of lubricating
greases by comparing their properties or performance relative
2. Referenced Documents
to those of the neat greases comprising the mixture.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2 Three properties are evaluated in a primary testing
D217 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating
protocol using standard test methods: (1) dropping point by
Grease
Test Method D566 (or Test Method D2265); (2) shear stability
D566 TestMethodforDroppingPointofLubricatingGrease
by Test Methods D217, 100 000–stroke worked penetration;
D972 Test Method for Evaporation Loss of Lubricating
and (3) storage stability at elevated-temperature by change in
Greases and Oils
60-stroke penetration (Test Method D217). For compatible
D1092 Test Method for Measuring Apparent Viscosity of
mixtures (those passing all primary testing), a secondary
Lubricating Greases
(nonmandatory) testing scheme is suggested when circum-
D1263 Test Method for Leakage Tendencies of Automotive
stances indicate the need for additional testing.
3
Wheel Bearing Greases (Withdrawn 2010)
1.3 Sequential or concurrent testing is continued until the
D1264 Test Method for Determining the Water Washout
first failure. If any mixture fails any of the primary tests, the
Characteristics of Lubricating Greases
greases are incompatible. If all mixtures pass the three primary
D1403 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating
tests, the greases are considered compatible.
Grease Using One-Quarter and One-Half Scale Cone
Equipment
1.4 This practice applies only to lubricating greases having
D1478 Test Method for Low-Temperature Torque of Ball
characteristics suitable for evaluation by the suggested test
Bearing Grease
methods. If the scope of a specific test method limits testing to
D1742 Test Method for Oil Separation from Lubricating
those greases within a specified range of properties, greases
Grease During Storage
outsidethatrangecannotbetestedforcompatibilitybythattest
D1743 Test Method for Determining Corrosion Preventive
method. An exception to this would be when the tested
Properties of Lubricating Greases
property of the neat, constituent greases is within the specified
D1831 Test Method for Roll Stability of Lubricating Grease
range, but the tested property of a mixture is outside the range
D2265 Test Method for Dropping Point of Lubricating
because of incompatibility.
Grease Over Wide Temperature Range
1.5 This practice does not purport to cover all test methods
D2266 Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics of
that could be employed.
Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method)
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
D2509 Test Method for Measurement of Load-Carrying
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
Capacity of Lubricating Grease (Timken Method)
standard.
D2595 Test Method for Evaporation Loss of Lubricating
Greases Over Wide-Temperature Range
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all the safety
D2596 Test Method for Measurement of Extreme-Pressure
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
1 2
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcom- contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
mittee D02.G0.01 on Chemical and General Laboratory Tests. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved July 1, 2011. Published August 2011. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D6185–10. DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/D6185-11. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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D6185 − 11
Properties of Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method) free oil or the formation of cracks that
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D6185–10 Designation:D6185–11
Standard Practice for
Evaluating Compatibility of Binary Mixtures of Lubricating
1
Greases
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6185; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice covers a protocol for evaluating the compatibility of one or three binary mixtures of lubricating greases by
comparing their properties or performance relative to those of the neat greases comprising the mixture.
1.2 Three properties are evaluated in a primary testing protocol using standard test methods: (1) dropping point byTest Method
D566 (or Test Method D2265); (2) shear stability by Test Methods D217, 100 000–stroke worked penetration; and (3) storage
stability at elevated-temperature by change in 60-stroke penetration (Test Method D217). For compatible mixtures (those passing
all primary testing), a secondary (nonmandatory) testing scheme is suggested when circumstances indicate the need for additional
testing.
1.3 Sequential or concurrent testing is continued until the first failure. If any mixture fails any of the primary tests, the greases
are incompatible. If all mixtures pass the three primary tests, the greases are considered compatible.
1.4 Thispracticeappliesonlytolubricatinggreaseshavingcharacteristicssuitableforevaluationbythesuggestedtestmethods.
Ifthescopeofaspecifictestmethodlimitstestingtothosegreaseswithinaspecifiedrangeofproperties,greasesoutsidethatrange
cannot be tested for compatibility by that test method. An exception to this would be when the tested property of the neat,
constituentgreasesiswithinthespecifiedrange,butthetestedpropertyofamixtureisoutsidetherangebecauseofincompatibility.
1.5 This practice does not purport to cover all test methods that could be employed.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of
the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations
prior to use. For specific safety information, see 7.2.3.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D217 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
D566 Test Method for Dropping Point of Lubricating Grease
D972 Test Method for Evaporation Loss of Lubricating Greases and Oils
D1092 Test Method for Measuring Apparent Viscosity of Lubricating Greases
D1263 Test Method for Leakage Tendencies of Automotive Wheel Bearing Greases
D1264 Test Method for Determining the Water Washout Characteristics of Lubricating Greases
D1403 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease Using One-Quarter and One-Half Scale Cone Equipment
D1478 Test Method for Low-Temperature Torque of Ball Bearing Grease
D1742 Test Method for Oil Separation from Lubricating Grease During Storage
D1743 Test Method for Determining Corrosion Preventive Properties of Lubricating Greases
D1831 Test Method for Roll Stability of Lubricating Grease
D2265 Test Method for Dropping Point of Lubricating Grease Over Wide Temperature Range
D2266 Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method)
D2509 Test Method for Measurement of Load-Carrying Capacity of Lubricating Grease (Timken Method)
D2595 Test Method for Evaporation Loss of Lubricating Greases Over Wide-Temperature Range
D2596 Test Method for Measurement of Extreme-Pressure Properties of Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method)
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D02.G0.01 on
Chemical and General Laboratory Tests.
Current edition approved July 1, 2010.2011. Published July 2010.August 2011. Originally approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 20082010 as
D6185–97(2008).D6185–10. DOI: 10.1520/D6185-101.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, W
...
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