ASTM D8022-20

Standard Test Method for Roll Stability of Lubricating Grease in Presence of Water (Wet Roll Stability Test)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 It is known that contamination by water can affect the structural stability of some greases in service. The test procedure specified in this method is widely used to determine the wet structural stability of greases in service. Many grease specifications require this procedure as a wet structural stability test. No accurate correlation is established between the test results and wet structural stability of grease in actual service.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determining the roll stability of lubricating grease in the presence of water (wet roll stability) by using a roll stability test apparatus.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-May-2020
• ICS: 75.100 - Lubricants, industrial oils and related products
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.G0.02 - Consistency and Related Rheological Tests

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D8022-15 - Standard Test Method for Roll Stability of Lubricating Grease in Presence of Water (Wet Roll Stability Test)
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2020
• Refers: ASTM D1403-20b - Standard Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease Using One-Quarter and One-Half Scale Cone Equipment
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2020
• Refers: ASTM D1403-20a - Standard Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease Using One-Quarter and One-Half Scale Cone Equipment
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM D1403-20 - Standard Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease Using One-Quarter and One-Half Scale Cone Equipment
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2020
• Refers: ASTM D217-19a - Standard Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2019
• Refers: ASTM D217-19 - Standard Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Refers: ASTM D1403-19 - Standard Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease Using One-Quarter and One-Half Scale Cone Equipment
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Refers: ASTM D1831-19 - Standard Test Method for Roll Stability of Lubricating Grease
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Refers: ASTM D1403-18 - Standard Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease Using One-Quarter and One-Half Scale Cone Equipment
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2018
• Refers: ASTM D1831-18 - Standard Test Method for Roll Stability of Lubricating Grease
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2018
• Refers: ASTM D217-16 - Standard Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2016
• Refers: ASTM D4057-06(2011) - Standard Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Refers: ASTM D1831-11 - Standard Test Method for Roll Stability of Lubricating Grease
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2011
• Refers: ASTM D1403-10 - Standard Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease Using One-Quarter and One-Half Scale Cone Equipment
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010
• Refers: ASTM D217-10 - Standard Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010

Overview

ASTM D8022-20: Standard Test Method for Roll Stability of Lubricating Grease in Presence of Water (Wet Roll Stability Test) is a widely recognized ASTM International standard. It provides a systematic test procedure to evaluate the roll stability of lubricating greases when exposed to water, also known as wet roll stability. This method is a key requirement in many grease specifications to help determine the structural stability and suitability of lubricating greases under wet operating conditions. The test measures the change in grease consistency after mixing with water and subjecting to rolling in a controlled apparatus.

Key Topics

• Wet Roll Stability: The main focus of this standard is assessing how lubricating grease maintains its structure and consistency when contaminated with water, which is common in real-world service environments.
• Test Procedure: The process involves combining a specified amount of grease and water, rolling the mixture at controlled temperatures (20 °C to 35 °C), and evaluating the difference in cone penetration values before and after the test.
• Consistency Measurement: Consistency changes are measured through cone penetration tests, referencing established ASTM methods for accuracy and repeatability.
• Apparatus and Materials: Use of a roll stability test apparatus, penetrometer, spatulas, and Type II distilled water are specified to ensure standardized test results.
• Reporting Results: Data is reported as the change in grease consistency after exposure to water, providing a quantitative measure of wet roll stability.

Applications

ASTM D8022-20 is essential in a range of industries where lubricating greases operate in humid or water-prone environments, including:

• Automotive: Evaluating wheel bearing greases and other lubricants for vehicles exposed to rain, road splash, or car wash conditions.
• Industrial Equipment: Assessing greases used in machinery that may regularly encounter water, such as pumps and marine equipment.
• Manufacturing: Specifying appropriate greases for production lines where water contamination risks are present.
• Grease Formulation and Quality Assurance: Supporting lubricant manufacturers in R&D, quality control, and compliance with customer or industry specifications for water resistance.

This test is particularly valuable for product developers and quality engineers to compare different grease formulations and select products best suited for wet conditions.

Related Standards

Several ASTM standards are referenced within ASTM D8022-20 to support standardized testing and terminology:

• ASTM D217: Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease - fundamental for measuring grease consistency.
• ASTM D1403: Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease Using Reduced-Scale Equipment - used when sample sizes are limited.
• ASTM D1831: Test Method for Roll Stability of Lubricating Grease - provides general procedures for roll stability testing.
• ASTM D1193: Specification for Reagent Water - ensures consistent water quality for testing.
• ASTM D4057: Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products - details correct sample collection.

Practical Value

Implementing ASTM D8022-20 helps:

• Ensure lubricating greases meet industry and customer expectations for performance in wet environments.
• Control product quality by identifying greases that are more resistant to softening or structural breakdown due to water contamination.
• Comply with procurement requirements where water stability is specified.
• Support warranty claims and reliability programs by providing documented, repeatable test data.

Adhering to this standard enhances confidence in grease manufacturing, selection, and maintenance, leading to longer equipment life and reduced downtime.

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Keywords: wet roll stability, lubricating grease, ASTM D8022-20, grease consistency, water contamination, roll stability test, cone penetration, grease testing standard, quality assurance

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D8022 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Roll Stability of Lubricating Grease in Presence of Water
(Wet Roll Stability Test)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8022; 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* 3.1.1 consistency, n—of lubricating grease, degree of resis-
tance to movement under stress.
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determining the
3.1.1.1 Discussion—Thetermconsistencyisusedsomewhat
roll stability of lubricating grease in the presence of water (wet
roll stability) by using a roll stability test apparatus. synonymously with penetration. Generally, consistency refers
to the worked penetration of a grease. D217
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.1.2 lubricating grease, n—semi-fluid to solid product of a
standard.
dispersion of a thickener in a liquid lubricant.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.2.1 Discussion—The dispersion of the thickener forms a
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
two-phase system and immobilizes the liquid lubricant by
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
surface tension and other physical forces. Other ingredients are
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
commonly included to impart special properties. D217
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.3 penetration, n—of lubricating grease, the depth that
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
the standard cone, when released to fall under its own weight
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
for 5 s, enters the sample.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1.4 reduced-scale worked penetration, n—of a lubricating
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
grease, the penetration at 25 °C (77 °F), without delay, of a
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 1 1
sample after 60 double strokes in a ⁄4-scale or ⁄2-scale grease
worker.
2. Referenced Documents
3.1.5 thickener, n—in a lubricating grease, a substance
2.1 ASTM Standards:
composed of finely divided particles dispersed in a liquid
D217 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating
lubricant to form the product’s structure.
Grease
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
3.1.5.1 Discussion—The thickener can be fibers (such as
D1403 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating
various metallic soaps) or plates or spheres (such as certain
Grease Using One-Quarter and One-Half Scale Cone
non-soap thickeners) which are insoluble or, at the most, only
Equipment
very slightly soluble in the liquid lubricant. The general
D1831 Test Method for Roll Stability of Lubricating Grease
requirements are that the solid particles be extremely small,
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
uniformlydispersed,andcapableofformingarelativelystable,
Petroleum Products
gel-like structure with the liquid lubricant.
3. Terminology
3.1.6 worked penetration, n—of lubricating grease, the
penetration at 25 °C (77 °F), without delay, of a sample after
3.1 Definitions:
60 double strokes in a standard grease worker.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
3.1.7 working, n—of lubricating grease, the subjection of a
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
sample to the shearing action of the standard grease worker.
Subcommittee D02.G0.02 on Consistency and Related Rheological Tests.
Current edition approved June 1, 2020. Published September 2020. Originally
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
approved in 2015. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D8022 – 15. DOI:
10.1520/D8022-20.
3.2.1 wet roll stability, n—of lubricating grease, change in
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
consistency of a mixture of sample and small amount of water
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
after a specified amount of rolling in a roll stability test
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. apparatus.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright ©ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA19428-2959. United States
D8022 − 20
4. Summary of Test Method 8.6 Mount the cylinder in position, start the machine, and
record the time and room temperature which should be limited
4.1 Agrease sample mixed with a small amount of water is
to 20 °C to 35 °C. If the cylinder is enclosed within a cabinet,
subjected to low shear at 20 °C to 35 °C for a specified time in
the temperature around cylinder shall be maintained at
a roll stability apparatus. The difference between the cone
20 °C to 35 °C.
penetration before working and the cone penetration after is
used as a measure of the wet roll stability of the grease. 8.7 After rolling the cylinder for 2 h 6 5 min, remove the
grease from the cylinder promptly and proceed with the
5. Significance and Use
requirements of reduced-scale worked penetration in Test
MethodsD1403.Recordthereduced-scaleworkedpenetration.
5.1 It is known that contamination by water can affect the
1 1
structural stability of some greases in service. The test proce- After transferring the grease to the ⁄4-scale or ⁄2-scale worker
cup, clean the test apparatus by wiping with clean cloth or
dure specified in this method is widely used to determine the
wet structural stability of greases in service. Many grease tissue.
specificationsrequirethisprocedureasawetstructuralstability
NOTE 4—The same scale cup must be used to measure penetration
test. No accurate correlation is established between the test
before and after exposing the grease to low shear forces in the presence of
results and wet structural stability of grease in actual service.
distilled water, and it is preferred that the ⁄2-scale cup is used for this
measurement (see Note 1). Care should be taken when removing the
6. Apparatus greasefromthecylindersothatthereisadequatesampleavailabletomake
⁄2-scale penetr
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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: D8022 − 15 D8022 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Roll Stability of Lubricating Grease in Presence of Water
(Wet Roll Stability Test)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8022; 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 Scope*
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determining the roll stability of lubricating grease in the presence of water (wet roll
stability) by using a roll stability test apparatus.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D217 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D1403 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease Using One-Quarter and One-Half Scale Cone Equipment
D1831 Test Method for Roll Stability of Lubricating Grease
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
D4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 consistency, n—of lubricating grease, degree of resistance to movement under stress.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—
The term consistency is used somewhat synonymously with penetration. Generally, consistency refers to the worked penetration
of a grease. D4175D217
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.G0.02 on Consistency and Related Rheological Tests.
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2015June 1, 2020. Published February 2016September 2020. Originally approved in 2015. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as
D8022 – 15. DOI: 10.1520/D8022-15.10.1520/D8022-20.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D8022 − 20
3.1.2 lubricating grease, n—semi-fluid to solid product of a dispersion of a thickener in a liquid lubricant.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—
The dispersion of the thickener forms a two-phase system and immobilizes the liquid lubricant by surface tension and other
physical forces. Other ingredients are commonly included to impart special properties. D217
3.1.3 wet roll stability, penetration, n—of lubricating grease, change in consistency of a mixture of sample and small amount of
water after a specified amount of rolling in a roll stability test apparatus.the depth that the standard cone, when released to fall
under its own weight for 5 s, enters the sample.
3.1.4 reduced-scale worked penetration, n—of a lubricating grease, the penetration at 25 °C (77 °F), without delay, of a sample
1 1
after 60 double strokes in a ⁄4-scale or ⁄2-scale grease worker.
3.1.5 thickener, n—in a lubricating grease, a substance composed of finely divided particles dispersed in a liquid lubricant to form
the product’s structure.
3.1.5.1 Discussion—
The thickener can be fibers (such as various metallic soaps) or plates or spheres (such as certain non-soap thickeners) which are
insoluble or, at the most, only very slightly soluble in the liquid lubricant. The general requirements are that the solid particles be
extremely small, uniformly dispersed, and capable of forming a relatively stable, gel-like structure with the liquid lubricant.
3.1.6 worked penetration, n—of lubricating grease, the penetration at 25 °C (77 °F), without delay, of a sample after 60 double
strokes in a standard grease worker.
3.1.7 working, n—of lubricating grease, the subjection of a sample to the shearing action of the standard grease worker.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 wet roll stability, n—of lubricating grease, change in consistency of a mixture of sample and small amount of water after
a specified amount of rolling in a roll stability test apparatus.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A grease sample mixed with a small amount of water is subjected to low shear at 20 °C to 35 °C for a specified time in a roll
stability apparatus. The difference between the cone penetration before working and the cone penetration after is used as a measure
of the wet roll stability of the grease.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 It is known that contamination by water can affect the structural stability of some greases in service. The test procedure
specified in this method is widely used to determine the wet structural stability of greases in service. Many grease specifications
require this procedure as a wet structural stability test. No accurate correlation is established between the test results and wet
structural stability of grease in actual service.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Roll Stability Test Apparatus, as specified in Test Method D1831.
6.2 Penetrometer and/or One-quarter or One-half Scale Cone and Shaft, as specified in Test Methods D1403.
6.3 One-quarter or One-half Scale Cup and Worker, as described in Test Methods D1403.
6.4 Spatula, with a blade longer than 150 mm.
7. Reagents and Materials
7.1 Appropriate Volatile Gum-Free Solvent, for example, mineral spirits.
D8022 − 20
7.2 Cloth or Paper Wiper, for wiping grease from the penetrometer cone. The wiper should be soft, so as not to scratch the surface
of the cone.
7.3 Distilled Water, Specification D1193, Type II minimum purity.
8. Procedure
8.1 The sample of grease is obtained in accordance with Test Methods D4057.
8.2 Determine the reduced-scale worked penetration of the grease to be tested in accord
...