ASTM D6074-99(2005)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Characterizing Hydrocarbon Lubricant Base Oils
Standard Guide for Characterizing Hydrocarbon Lubricant Base Oils
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The consistent performance of hydrocarbon lubricant base oils is a critical factor in a wide variety of applications such as engine oils, industrial lubricants, and metalworking fluids. In addition, in many of these applications humans are exposed to the base oils as a component of a formulated product such that health or safety considerations may need to be addressed. This guide suggests a compilation of properties and potential contaminants that are understood by those knowledgeable in the manufacture and use of hydrocarbon lubricants to be of significance in some or all applications. A discussion of each of the suggested properties and potential contaminants is provided in Appendix X1, with each listed alphabetically within four categories.
Potential sources of base oil variation include the raw material, manufacturing process, operating conditions, storage, transportation, and blending.
The test methods, base oil properties, and potential contaminants suggested are those that would likely be useful in many common situations, although it is recognized that there are specific applications and situations that could have different requirements. Performance testing related to the specific application should serve as the basis for acceptability.
Issues such as frequency of testing and the specifics of how the test results are to be applied are not addressed in detail. It is the responsibility of the buyer and seller to determine and agree upon the implementation of this guide. This guide serves as a basis for that discussion.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide suggests physical, chemical, and toxicological test methods for characterizing hydrocarbon lubricant base oils derived from various refining processes including re-refining, used oils, and refining crude oil. This guide does not purport to cover all tests which could be employed. It is the responsibility of the buyer and seller to determine and agree upon the implementation of this guide.
1.2 This guide applies only to base oils and not to finished lubricants.
1.3 This guide is relevant to base oils composed of hydrocarbons and intended for use in formulating products including automotive and industrial lubricants. These base oils would typically have a viscosity of approximately 2 to 40 mm2/s (cSt) at 100°C (50 to 3740 SUS at 100°F).
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.
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An American National Standard
Designation:D6074–99 (Reapproved 2005)
Standard Guide for
Characterizing Hydrocarbon Lubricant Base Oils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6074; 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.
INTRODUCTION
This guide is generated in response to a request from automobile manufacturers that ASTM
Committee D02 develop a standard for re-refined base oils. As the document evolved through the
consensus process, it was agreed that it would be appropriate to present this information as an
educational guide and to include base oils from various refining processes, including both re-refining
of used oils and refining of crude oils.
This guide represents the first step in better describing important parameters of lubricant base oils
affecting lubricant performance and safe handling. Tests have been identified to characterize the
composition and performance of base oils in addition to verifying their consistency. Undesirable
components have also been identified, with a range of typical levels. These are not limits.
Thisguidedoesnotintendtocoverallbaseoilviscositygrades.However,itdoescoverthemajority
of viscosities that would be used in both automotive and industrial oil formulations.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This guide suggests physical, chemical, and toxicologi- 2.1 ASTM Standards:
cal test methods for characterizing hydrocarbon lubricant base D91 Test Method for Precipitation Number of Lubricating
oils derived from various refining processes including re- Oils
refining used oils and refining crude oil. This guide does not D92 Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland
purport to cover all tests which could be employed. It is the Open Cup Tester
responsibility of the buyer and seller to determine and agree D97 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
upon the implementation of this guide. D 130 Test Method for Corrosiveness to Copper from
1.2 This guide applies only to base oils and not to finished Petroleum Products by Copper Strip Test
lubricants. D 189 Test Method for Conradson Carbon Residue of
1.3 This guide is relevant to base oils composed of hydro- Petroleum Products
carbons and intended for use in formulating products including D 445 Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent
automotive and industrial lubricants. These base oils would and Opaque Liquids (and the Calculation of Dynamic
typicallyhaveaviscosityofapproximately2to40mm /s(cSt) Viscosity)
at 100°C (50 to 3740 SUS at 100°F). D 524 Test Method for Ramsbottom Carbon Residue of
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the Petroleum Products
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the D 664 TestMethodforAcidNumberofPetroleumProducts
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- by Potentiometric Titration
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- D 974 Test Method for Acid and Base Number by Color-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Indicator Titration
D 1298 Practice for Density, Relative Density (Specific
Gravity), or API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Liquid
Petroleum Products by Hydrometer Method
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum
Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D02.P0 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Recycled Petroleum Products. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved May 1, 2005. Published June 2005. Originally Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as D 6074-99. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D6074–99 (2005)
D 1401 Test Method for Water Separability of Petroleum Oils by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission
Oils and Synthetic Fluids Spectrometry (ICP–AES)
D 1500 Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Prod- D 5480 Test Method for Motor Oil Volatility by Gas Chro-
ucts (ASTM Color Scale) matography
D 1744 Test Method for Water in Liquid Petroleum Prod- E 1687 Test Method for Determining Carcinogenic Poten-
ucts by Karl Fischer Reagent tial of Virgin Base Oils in Metalworking Fluids
D 2007 Test Method for Characteristic Groups in Rubber 2.2 Government Standard:
Extender and Processing Oils and Other Petroleum- EPA8120, Chlorinated Hydrocarbons by GC/MS, EPASW-
Derived Oils by the Clay-Gel Absorption Chromato- 846
graphic Method 2.3 Other Standards:
D 2270 Practice for CalculatingViscosity Index from Kine- IP 346, Polycyclic Aromatics and Other Species in Petro-
matic Viscosity at 40 and 100°C leum Fractions by Dimethyl Sulfoxide—Refractive Index
D 2622 Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products by Method
Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry CEC L-40-A-93 Evaporation Loss of Lubricating Oils
D 2887 Test Method for Boiling Range Distribution of (NOACK)
Petroleum Fractions by Gas Chromatography JPI-5S-41-93, Method B, Determination of Evaporation
D 2896 Test Method for Base Number of Petroleum Prod- Loss of Engine Oils (Unified NOACK)
ucts by Potentiometric Perchloric Acid Titration 29 CFR Part 1910 Hazard Communication; Interpretation
D 3120 Test Method for Trace Quantities of Sulfur in Light Regarding Lubricity Oils, Federal Register, Part 50 (245),
Liquid Petroleum Hydrocarbons by Oxidative Microcou- pp. 5182–5185.
lometry
3. Terminology
D 4052 Test Method for Density and Relative Density of
Liquids by Digital Density Meter
3.1 Definitions—For definition of standard terms used in
D 4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
this guide, see Terminology D 4175 or ASTM Dictionary of
Petroleum Products
Engineering Science and Technology.
D 4059 Test Method forAnalysis of Polychlorinated Biphe-
3.1.1 base oil, n—a base stock or a blend of two or more
nyls in Insulating Liquids by Gas Chromatography
base stocks used to produce finished lubricants, usually in
D 4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum, Petroleum
combination with additives.
Products, and Lubricants
3.1.2 base stock, n—a hydrocarbon lubricant component,
D 4291 Test Method for Trace Ethylene Glycol in Used
other than an additive, that is produced by a single manufac-
Engine Oil turer to the same specifications (independent of feed source or
D 4294 Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum and Petroleum
manufacturer’s location), and that is identified by a unique
Products by Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spec- formula number or product identification number, or both.
trometry
3.1.3 guide,n—aseriesofoptionsorinstructionsthatdonot
D 4530 Test Method for Determination of Carbon Residue
recommend a specific course of action.
(Micro Method)
3.1.3.1 Discussion—Whereas a practice describes a general
D 4628 Test Method for Analysis of Barium, Calcium,
usage principle, a guide only suggests an approach. The
Magnesium, and Zinc in Unused Lubricating Oils by
purpose of a guide is to offer guidance, based on a consensus
Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
of viewpoints, but not to establish a fixed procedure.Aguide is
D 4629 Test Method for Trace Nitrogen in Liquid Petro-
intended to increase the awareness of the user to available
leum Hydrocarbons by Syringe/Inlet Oxidative Combus-
techniques in a given subject area and to provide information
tion and Chemiluminescence Detection
from which subsequent evaluation and standardization can be
D 4739 Test Method for Base Number Determination by
derived.
Potentiometric Titration
4. Summary of Guide
D 4927 Test Methods for Elemental Analysis of Lubricant
and Additive Components—Barium, Calcium, Phospho-
4.1 This guide suggests a listing of properties and potential
rus, Sulfur, and Zinc by Wavelength-Dispersive X-ray
contaminants whose determination may be important for a
Fluorescence Spectroscopy
D 4929 Test Methods for Determination of Organic Chlo-
ride Content in Crude Oil
U.S. EPA, “Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical,”
D 4951 Test Method for Determination of Additive Ele- SW-846. Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402.
ments in Lubricating Oils by Inductively Coupled Plasma
Standard Methods forAnalysis and Testing of Petroleum and Related Products,
Atomic Emission Spectrometry
Vol 2. Available from Energy Institute, London, 61 New Cavendish St., W.I.,
D 5185 Test Method for Determination of Additive Ele-
England.
Available from Commission of the European Communities, Rue De La Loi,
ments, Wear Metals, and Contaminants in Used Lubricat-
B-1049B Rux Elles, Belgium.
ing Oils and Determination of Selected Elements in Base
Available from Japanese Petroleum Institute, Keidanren Kaikan, 9-4 Ohte-
machi 1-Chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Withdrawn. Office, Washington, DC 20402.
D6074–99 (2005)
hydrocarbon base oil due to performance, regulatory, or other justifyinfrequenttestingornoadditionaltesting.Insuchcases,
considerations.Specificapplicationissuessuchasfrequencyof reporting of typical expected values may be acceptable.
testing and the use of other test methods are addressed only in 7.1.3 Some of the measurements could be performed on the
a qualitative manner. individual base stocks, and then, knowing the test results and
the proportions of the base stock components in the base oil,
5. Significance and Use
test values can be calculated. Similarly, laboratory blends of
5.1 The consistent performance of hydrocarbon lubricant base stocks in appropriate ratios could substitute for actual
base oils is a critical factor in a wide variety of applications
stream samples when sampling is not practical.This procedure
such as engine oils, industrial lubricants, and metalworking should be negotiated between the base oil buyer and the seller.
fluids. In addition, in many of these applications humans are
7.1.4 The test methods suggested are not an exhaustive list.
exposed to the base oils as a component of a formulated Many nonstandardized methods are being used in the petro-
product such that health or safety considerations may need to
leum industry, such as high-performance liquid chromatogra-
be addressed. This guide suggests a compilation of properties phy (HPLC), supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), and
and potential contaminants that are understood by those
thin layer chromatography (TLC) methods for the determina-
knowledgeable in the manufacture and use of hydrocarbon tion of saturates content. Further, there are more complex tests
lubricants to be of significance in some or all applications. A available for some properties that might give equivalent or
discussion of each of the suggested properties and potential superior information. For example, estimates of dermal carci-
contaminants is provided in Appendix X1, with each listed nogenic potential can be obtained from screener tests, such as
alphabetically within four categories. Test Method E 1687 or IP 346, but the Chronic Animal
5.2 Potential sources of base oil variation include the raw Bioassay Analysis (that is, mouse skin painting assay) repre-
material, manufacturing process, operating conditions, storage, sentsthedefinitivetestforthedeterminationofcarcinogenicity
transportation, and blending. hazard of base oils.
5.3 The test methods, base oil properties, and potential
NOTE 1—Local legislative and regulatory requirements may also apply
contaminantssuggestedarethosethatwouldlikelybeusefulin
when selecting the tests to be run.
many common situations, although it is recognized that there
7.1.5 Some of the physical, compositional, and contaminant
arespecificapplicationsandsituationsthatcouldhavedifferent
test methods cited inTable 1 andTable 2 are utilized outside of
requirements. Performance testing related to the specific appli-
their published scopes. If this is the case, there typically is no
cation should serve as the basis for acceptability.
other more appropriate method, and industry experience has
5.4 Issues such as frequency of testing and the specifics of
shown the test method to give acceptable results.
howthetestresultsaretobeappliedarenotaddressedindetail.
7.1.6 If the test method is a modification to an accepted test
It is the responsibility of the buyer and seller to determine and
method, it should be identified when providing information on
agree upon the implementation of this guide.This guide serves
a base oil (for example, DXXXX Mod.).
as a basis for that discussion.
7.2 Properties and Potential Contaminants:
7.2.1 The following tables contain suggested properties,
6. Sampling
potential contaminants, and commonly used test methods that
6.1 Sampling of base oils may be required as part of the
one might want to include in a base oil evaluation.
buyer/seller arrangement. If a sampling program is required,
7.2.2 Table 1 includes physical and compositional proper-
sampling in accordance with Practice D 4057 or a suitable
ties and test methods only.
alternative may be employed.
7.2.3 Table 2 includes parameters that may relate to poten-
tialcontaminantsandtotoxicologicalproperties.Typicallevels
7. Procedure
were compiled through a survey of base oil producers. For
7.1 Application of Guide:
further details, see Research Report RR: D02-1416.
7.1.1 This guide applies only to hydrocarbon lubricant base
7.2.4 A discussion of the significance of each property is
oils. Base oils containing detectable levels of esters, animal
provided in Appendix X1.
fats, vegetable oils, or other materials used as, or blended into,
lubricants are not covered by this guide.
8. Keywords
7.1.2 The frequency and extent of testing is to be deter-
8.1 base oil; base stock; hydrocarbon; lubricants; oil
mined based upon need.Aproperty that can be shown to have
minimal variation with time, a potential contaminant that can
be shown to be consistently absent or at levels below concern, 9
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may
or a toxicological property that is shown to be satisfactory may be obtained by requesting Research Report RR: D02-1416.
D6074–99 (2005)
TABLE 1 Suggested Physical and Compositional Property Test
A,B
Methods for Lubricant Base Oils
Property Test Method
Physical properties
C
Appearance
...
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