ASTM D972-02

Standard Test Method for Evaporation Loss of Lubricating Greases and Oils

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The loss of volatile materials from greases and oils can adversely effect the original performance characteristics of a lubricant and therefore could be a significant factor in evaluating a lubricant for a specific use. Such volatiles can also be considered contaminants in the environment in which the lubricant is to be used. Correlation between results from this test method and service performance has not been established.
The test can be run at any agreed upon temperature between 100 and 150°C (210 to 300°F).
Note 1—The specified flow of air, 2.58 ±0.02 g/min, (2L/min at standard temperature and pressure), assumes dry air. It is not known that the original work involved dry air but it has since been shown that this can be a factor in reproducibility and should be addressed. A dew point of less than 10°C at standard temperature and pressure will be satisfactory.
Note 2—To determine evaporation loss at temperatures above 150°C (300°F), see Test Methods D 2595.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the loss in mass by evaporation of lubricating greases and oils for applications where evaporation loss is a factor. Evaporation loss data can be obtained at any temperature in the range from 100 to 150°C (210 to 300°F).  
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units shall be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents of the other; therefore each system must be used independently of the other, without combining values in any way.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Apr-2002
• ICS: 75.100 - Lubricants, industrial oils and related products
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.G0.03 - Physical Tests

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D972-97 - Standard Test Method for Evaporation Loss of Lubricating Greases and Oils
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM F2489-06(2022) - Standard Guide for Instrument and Precision Bearing Lubricants—Part 2 Greases
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D6185-11(2017) - Standard Practice for Evaluating Compatibility of Binary Mixtures of Lubricating Greases
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D2595-22 - Standard Test Method for Evaporation Loss of Lubricating Greases Over Wide-Temperature Range
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D2878-21 - Standard Test Method for Estimating Apparent Vapor Pressures and Molecular Weights of Lubricating Oils
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D4732-13(2020) - Standard Specification for Cool-Application Filling Compounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM F2161-21 - Standard Guide for Instrument and Precision Bearing Lubricants—Part 1 Oils
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
An American National Standard
Designation:D972–02
Standard Test Method for
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Evaporation Loss of Lubricating Greases and Oils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 972; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope 3.1.2 thickener, n—in lubricating grease, a substance com-
posed of finely - divided particles dispersed in a liquid to form
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the loss in
the product’s structure.
mass by evaporation of lubricating greases and oils for
3.1.2.1 Discussion—Thickeners can be fibers (such as vari-
applications where evaporation loss is a factor. Evaporation
ous metallic soaps) or plates or spheres (such as certain
loss data can be obtained at any temperature in the range from
non-soapthickeners),whichareinsolubleor,atmost,onlyvery
100 to 150°C (210 to 300°F).
slightly soluble in the liquid lubricant. The general require-
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
ments are that the solid particles are extremely small, uni-
shall be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
formly dispersed, and capable of forming a relatively stable,
each system may not be exact equivalents of the other;
gel-like structure with the D 217 liquid lubricant.
therefore each system must be used independently of the other,
without combining values in any way.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 The weighed sample of lubricant in an evaporation cell
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
is placed in a bath maintained at the desired test temperature.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Heated air is passed over its surface for 22 h. The evaporation
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
loss is calculated from the loss in mass of the sample.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Significance and Use
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 The loss of volatile materials from greases and oils can
2.1 ASTM Standards:
adversely effect the original performance characteristics of a
A 240/A240M Specification for Chromium and Chromium-
lubricant and therefore could be a significant factor in evalu-
Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip for Pressure
2
ating a lubricant for a specific use. Such volatiles can also be
Vessels and for General Applications
considered contaminants in the environment in which the
D 217 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating
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lubricant is to be used. Correlation between results from this
Grease
test method and service performance has not been established.
D 2595 Test Methods for Evaporation Loss of Lubricating
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5.2 The test can be run at any agreed upon temperature
Greases Over Wide Temperature Range
3 between 100 and 150°C (210 to 300°F).
E1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers
NOTE 1—The specified flow of air, 2.58 60.02 g/min, (2L/min at
3. Terminology
standard temperature and pressure), assumes dry air. It is not known that
the original work involved dry air but it has since been shown that this can
3.1 Definitions:
be a factor in reproducibility and should be addressed.Adew point of less
3.1.1 lubricating grease, n—a semi-fluid to solid product of
than 10°C at standard temperature and pressure will be satisfactory.
a thickener in a liquid lubricant.
NOTE 2—To determine evaporation loss at temperatures above 150°C
3.1.1.1 Discussion—The dispersion of the thickner forms a
(300°F), see Test Methods D 2595.
two-phase system and immobilizes the liquid lubricant by
surface tension and other physical forces. Other ingredients are 6. Apparatus
commonly D 217 included to impart special properties.
6.1 Evaporation Cell,(Fig. 1) as described in Annex A1.
6.2 Air Supply System, capable of supplying to the cell the
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required flow of air free of entrained particles. A400 mm
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee (16-in.) length of 25-mm (1-in.) diameter pipe packed with
D02.G on Lubricating Grease.
glass wool has been found satisfactory for filtering the air.
Current edition approved April 10, 2002. Published May 2002. Originally
published as D 972 – 48 T. Last previous edition D 972 – 97.
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Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.03.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.03.
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