ASTM D1404/D1404M-99(2003)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Estimation of Deleterious Particles in Lubricating Grease
Standard Test Method for Estimation of Deleterious Particles in Lubricating Grease
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The significance of the number of scratches as far as correlation with field performance is concerned has not been established. A particle which is abrasive to plastic will not necessarily be abrasive to steel or other bearing materials. Some correlation was obtained in that the contaminant used in Sample 3 (see 10.1.1) had a greater wear rate in a laboratory ball bearing abrasive wear test than the contaminant in Sample 2.
Note 1—The number of scratches obtained cannot be used to draw fine differences between greases, but rather, to group them into two or three general classes. One such possible division could be:
1 ... . less than 10 scratches 2 ... . 10 to 40 scratches 3 ... . more than 40 scratches
An advantage of this test method is that each test takes only a few minutes to run.
This test method is used for quality control and specification purpose.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for the detection and estimation of deleterious particles in lubricating grease.
1.2 This test method is applicable to all lubricating greases. It can also be used to test other semi-solid or viscous materials. Grease fillers, such as graphite and molybdenum disulfide, can be tested for abrasive contaminants by first mixing them into petrolatum or grease known to be free of deleterious particles.
1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems could result in nonconformance with 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.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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An American National Standard
Designation:D1404/D1404M–99 (Reapproved 2003)
Standard Test Method for
Estimation of Deleterious Particles in Lubricating Grease
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1404/D 1404M; 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.
1. Scope 3.1.2 lubricating grease, n—a semi-fluid to solid product of
a dispersion of a thickener in a liquid lubricant.
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for the detection
3.1.2.1 Discussion—Thedispersionofthethickenerformsa
and estimation of deleterious particles in lubricating grease.
two-phase system and immobilizes the liquid lubricant by
1.2 This test method is applicable to all lubricating greases.
surface tension and other physical forces. Other ingredients are
It can also be used to test other semi-solid or viscous materials.
commonly included to impart special properties.
Grease fillers, such as graphite and molybdenum disulfide, can
3.1.3 thickener, n—in lubricating grease, a substance com-
be tested for abrasive contaminants by first mixing them into
posed of finely-divided particles dispersed in a liquid lubricant
petrolatum or grease known to be free of deleterious particles.
to form the product’s structure.
1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units
3.1.3.1 Discussion—The solid thickener can be fibers (such
are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the
as various metallic soaps) or plates or spheres (such as certain
SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each
non-soap thickeners), which are insoluble or, at the most, only
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
very slightly soluble in the liquid lubricant. The general
values from the two systems could result in nonconformance
requirements are that the solid particles be extremely small,
with the standard.
uniformlydispersed,andcapableofformingarelativelystable,
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
gel-like structure with the liquid lubricant.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.1 deleterious particles, n—in lubricating grease, minute
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bits of solid material present as a contaminant and abrasive to
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
acrylic plastic.
2. Referenced Documents
4. Summary of Test Method
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.1 A small portion of the lubricating grease sample is
D 235 Specification for Mineral Spirits (Petroleum Spirits)
placed between two clean, highly polished acrylic-plastic
(Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaning Solvent)
plates held rigidly and parallel in metal holders. A pressure of
D 785 Test Method for Rockwell Hardness of Plastics and
200 psi [1.38 MPa] is applied, and one plate is rotated 30°
Electrical Insulating Materials
relative to the other. Particles harder than the plastic and
D 4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum, Petroleum
exceeding in size the distance between the plates will imbed in
Products, and Lubricants
the plates and cause characteristic, arc-shaped scratches in the
3. Terminology plates.
4.2 The relative number of such solid particles can be
3.1 Definitions—See Terminology D 4175.
estimated by counting the total number of arc-shaped scratches
3.1.1 lubricant, n—any material interposed between two
on the two plates.
surfaces that reduces the friction or wear between them.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The significance of the number of scratches as far as
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
correlation with field performance is concerned has not been
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
established. A particle which is abrasive to plastic will not
D02.G0 on Lubricating Grease.
necessarily be abrasive to steel or other bearing materials.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2003. Published November 2003. Originally
approved in 1956. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as D 1404–99.
Some correlation was obtained in that the contaminant used in
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Sample 3 (see 10.1.1) had a greater wear rate in a laboratory
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
ball bearing abrasive wear test than the contaminant in Sample
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. 2.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D1404/D1404M–99 (2003)
(a) Assembled View
(b) Unassembled View
FIG. 1 Apparatus for Determining Deleterious Particles in Lubricating Grease
NOTE 1—The number of scratches obtained cannot be used to draw fine
illustrated in Fig. 2, the plastic test plates, 1, are rigidly held
differences between greases, but rather, to group them into two or three
in a parallel position in square recesses in parts 2 and 7. The
general classes. One such possible division could be:
holder, 7, is part of the cap assembly, 7 to 11, which can be
1 . . less than 10 scratches
removed as a unit from the body, 3, by removing four cap
2 . . 10 to 40 scratches
screws. The lower plate holder, 2, can slide along the axis of
3 . . more than 40 scratches
the main housing, but it is restricted from turning by keys
5.2 An advantage of this test method is that each test takes
only a few minutes to run.
5.3 This test method is used for quality control and speci-
Suitable, commercial acrylic plastic, produced in uniform, highly polished
fication purpose.
sheets, is available as Plexiglas and Lucite, manufactured respectively by Rohm and
Haas Co. (Independence Mall, Philadelphia, PA) and E. I. du Pont de Nemours and
6. Apparatus
Co. (Wilmington, DE). Sized test plates are available from Koehler Instrument Co.,
6.1 The test apparatus is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. As Inc., 1595 Sycamore Ave., Bohemia, NY 11716.
D1404/D1404M–99 (2003)
7. Reagents and Materials
7.1 Stoddard solvent conforming to Specification D 235.
(Warning—Flammable. Vapor harmful.)
NOTE 4—Other naphthas or pure paraffinic hydrocarbons, such as
n-heptane, can be substituted providing they are suitable volatile and do
not soften or otherwise attack acrylic plastic.
1 plastic test plates
2 lower plate holder
3 body
8. Procedure
4 spring
5 spring follower plate 8.1 Use a fine, smoothing file to break sharp edges of one
6 loading screw
face of each test plate. (Asharp edge could scratch the face
...
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