ASTM D4950-95(2000)e1
(Classification)Standard Classification and Specification of Automotive Service Greases
Standard Classification and Specification of Automotive Service Greases
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers lubricating greases suitable for the periodic relubrication of chassis systems and wheel bearings of passenger cars, trucks, and other vehicles.
1.2 This specification defines the requirements used to describe the properties and performance characteristics of chassis greases and wheel bearing greases for service-fill applications.
1.3 The test requirements (acceptance limits) given in this specification are, as the case may be, minimum or maximum acceptable values for valid duplicate test results. No additional corrections for test precision, such as described in Practice D3244, are to be applied inasmuch as the precision of the test methods was taken into account in the determination of the requirements.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in inch-pound units are for information only.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
e1
Designation: D 4950 – 95 (Reapproved 2000) An American National Standard
Standard Classification and Specification for
1,2
Automotive Service Greases
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4950; 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.
e NOTE—Editorial corrections were made throughout in April 2000.
INTRODUCTION
This specification describes current categories of lubricating greases for automotive service-fill
applications. A specific designation is assigned to each category. The system is open ended, that is,
new designations are assigned for use with new categories as each new set of grease performance
characteristics is defined. Grease categories are referenced by automotive manufacturers in making
lubrication recommendations and used by grease suppliers and users in identifying products for
specific applications.
1. Scope Lubricating Greases
D 1742 Test Method for Oil Separation from Lubricating
1.1 This specification covers lubricating greases suitable for
Grease During Storage
the periodic relubrication of chassis systems and wheel bear-
D 1743 Test Method for Corrosion Preventive Properties of
ings of passenger cars, trucks, and other vehicles.
Lubricating Greases
1.2 This specification defines the requirements used to
D 2265 Test Method for Dropping Point of Lubricating
describe the properties and performance characteristics of
Grease over Wide Temperature Range
chassis greases and wheel bearing greases for service-fill
D 2266 Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics of
applications.
Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method)
1.3 The test requirements (acceptance limits) given in this
D 2596 Test Method for Measurement of Extreme-Pressure
specification are, as the case may be, minimum or maximum
Properties of Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method)
acceptable values for valid duplicate test results. No additional
D 3244 Practice for Utilization of Test Data to Determine
corrections for test precision, such as described in Practice
Conformance with Specifications
D 3244, are to be applied inasmuch as the precision of the test
D 3527 Test Method for Life Performance of Automotive
methods was taken into account in the determination of the
Wheel Bearing Grease
requirements.
D 4170 Test Method for Fretting Wear Protection by Lubri-
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
cating Greases
standard. The values given in inch-pound units are for infor-
D 4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum, Petroleum
mation only.
Products, and Lubricants
2. Referenced Documents
D 4289 Test Method for Compatibility of Lubricating
Grease with Elastomers
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 4290 Test Method for Determining the Leakage Tenden-
D 217 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating
cies of Automotive Wheel Bearing Grease Under Acceler-
Grease
ated Conditions
D 566 Test Method for Dropping Point of Lubricating
D 4693 Test Method for Low-Temperature Torque of
Grease
Grease-Lubricated Wheel Bearings
D 1264 Test Method for Water Washout Characteristics of
2.2 SAE Standards:
AMS 3217A Standard Elastomer Stock-Test Slabs
AMS 3217/2A Test Slabs, Acrylonitrile Butadiene (NBR-
This classification and specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM
Committee D-2 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsi-
L)-Low Acrylonitrile, 65-75
bility of Subcommittee D02.B0.04 on Automotive Greases. Current edition ap-
proved Sept. 10, 1995. Published November 1995.
Originally published as D 4950 – 89. Last previous edition D 495 – 89 (1994)e .
2 4
This classification and specification was developed as a cooperative effort Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.02.
among the American Society for Testing and Materials, the National Lubricating Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.03.
Grease Institute (NLGI), and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Available from Society of Automotive Engineers, 400 Commonwealth Drive,
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01. Warrendale, PA 15096.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 4950
AMS 3217/3B Test Slabs Chloroprene (CR)-65-75 4. Performance Classification
SAE J310 Automotive Lubricating Greases
4.1 Automotive service greases are classified into two
general groups. Those designated with an “L” prefix (chassis
3. Terminology
greases) are intended for the service lubrication of ball joints,
3.1 Definitions:
steering pivots, universal joints, and other chassis components
3.1.1 lubricant, n—any material interposed between two
as designated by the equipment manufacturer. Those desig-
surfaces that reduces the friction or wear between them.
nated with a “G” prefix are intended primarily for the service
D 4175
lubrication of wheel bearings. These groups are further subdi-
3.1.2 lubricating grease, n—a semi-fluid to solid product of
vided into categories with intended service applications as
a dispersion of a thickener in a liquid lubricant.
follows:
3.1.2.1 Discussion—The dispersion of the thickener forms a
4.1.1 LA—Service typical of chassis components and uni-
two-phase system and immobilizes the liquid lubricant by
versal joints in passenger cars, trucks, and other vehicles under
surface tension and other physical forces. Other ingredients
mild duty only. Mild duty will be encountered in vehicles
imparting special properties are often included. D 217
operated with frequent relubrication in noncritical applications.
3.1.3 thickener, n—in lubricating grease, a substance com-
4.1.2 LB—Service typical of chassis components and uni-
posed of finely-divided particles dispersed in a liquid to form
versal joints in passenger cars, trucks, and other vehicles under
the product’s structure.
mild to severe duty. Severe duty will be encountered in
3.1.3.1 Discussion—The thickener can be fibers (such as
vehicles operated under conditions which may include pro-
various metallic soaps) or plates or spheres (such as certain
longed relubrication intervals, or high loads, severe vibration,
non-soap thickeners) which are insoluble or, at the most, only
exposure to water or other contaminants, etc.
very slightly soluble in the liquid lubricant. The general
4.1.3 GA—Service typical of wheel bearings operating in
requirements are that the solid particles be extremely small,
passenger cars, trucks, and other vehicles under mild duty.
uniformly dispersed, and capable of forming a relatively stable,
Mild duty will be encountered in vehicles operated with
gel-like structure with the liquid lubricant. D 217
frequent relubrication in noncritical applications.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
4.1.4 GB—Service typical of wheel bearings operating in
3.2.1 automotive service grease—a lubricating grease suit-
passenger cars, trucks, and other vehicles under mild to
able for the periodic relubrication of serviceable-type, chassis
moderate duty. Moderate duty will be encountered in most
components or wheel bearings of passenger cars, trucks, and
vehicles operated under normal urban, highway, and off-
other vehicles and distinct from factory-fill greases (also
highway service.
known as initial-fill and OEM greases) initially installed by the
4.1.5 GC—Service typical of wheel bearings operating in
original equipment manufacturer.
passenger cars, trucks, and other vehicles under mild to severe
3.2.2 category—with respect to automotive service grease,
duty. Severe duty will be encountered in certain vehicles
a designation, such as LB, GC, etc., for a given level of
operated under conditions resulting in high bearing tempera-
performance in standardized tests.
tures. This includes vehicles operated under frequent stop-
3.2.3 chassis grease—an automotive service grease used to
and-go service (buses, taxis, urban police cars, etc), or under
lubricate ball joints, steering pivots, universal joints, and, other
severe braking service (trailer towing, heavy loading, mountain
lubrication points designated in the vehicle owner’s service
driving, etc.).
guide.
3.2.4 classification—with respect to automotive service
5. Performance Description
grease, the systematic arrangement into categories according to
5.1 The performance characteristics of the several catego-
differing levels of performance.
ries of automotive service greases are described as follows:
3.2.5 “G” category group—automotive service greases of
5.1.1 LA—The grease shall satisfactorily lubricate chassis
such composition, properties, and performance characteristics
components and universal joints where frequent relubrication
as to be suitable for the service lubrication of those types of
is practiced (at intervals of 3200 km or 2000 miles or less for
wheel bearings that require periodic relubrication.
passenger cars). During its service life, the grease should resist
3.2.6 “L” category group—automotive service greases of
such composition, properties, and performance characteristics
as to be suitable for the service lubrication of those types of
The letter designations for the grease categories and the corresponding
Performance Classification descriptions in Section 4 were developed by an ad hoc
suspension, steering, and drive-line components that require
panel of the NLGI Literature Subcommittee in cooperation with ASTM
periodic relubrication.
D02.B0.04.02, (Subsection on) Automotive Grease Specifications. Although these
3.2.7 multipurpose grease—an automotive service grease
designations and descriptions of the categories have been adopted in toto in this
standard, the NLGI Literature Subcommittee retains jurisdiction over them as
suitable for both chassis and wheel bearing lubrication.
published in, “Chassis and Wheel Bearing Service Classification System,” available
3.2.7.1 Discussion—Commercial lubricating greases other
from the National Lubricating Grease Institute, 4635 Wyandotte Street, Kansas City,
than automotive service greases are often designated as mul-
MO 64112. It is the intention of Subcommittee D02.B to include in this standard
tipurpose greases.
future revisions to these descriptions providing they are deemed acceptable by
ASTM.
3.3 Abbreviations:
The Performance Descriptions and Performance Requirements for the grease
ASTM—American Society for Testing and Materials
categories, as described in Sections 5 and 6, were developed by ASTM
NLGI—National Lubricating Grease Institute
D02.B0.04.02 in cooperation with the NLGI Literature Subcommittee. ASTM
SAE—Society of Automotive Engineers Subcommittee D02.B retains jurisdiction over these descriptions (see Footnote 7).
D 4950
TABLE 1 “L” Chassis Grease Categories
Acceptance
Category Test Property
Limit
A
LA D 217 Consistency, wor
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.