ASTM D4172-94(1999)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Fluid (Four-Ball Method)
Standard Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Fluid (Four-Ball Method)
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for making a preliminary evaluation of the anti-wear properties of fluid lubricants in sliding contact by means of the Four-Ball Wear Test Machine. Evaluation of lubricating grease using the same machine is detailed in Test Method D2266.
1.2 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the test the inch-pound units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents, therefore each system must be used independently of the other. Combining values of the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specification.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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An American National Standard
Designation:D4172–94 (Reapproved 1999)
Standard Test Method for
Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Fluid (Four-
Ball Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4172; 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 4. Summary of Test Method
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for making a 4.1 Three 12.7-mm [ ⁄2-in.] diameter steel balls are clamped
preliminary evaluation of the anti-wear properties of fluid together and covered with the lubricant to be evaluated. A
lubricants in sliding contact by means of the Four-Ball Wear fourth 12.7-mm diameter steel ball, referred to as the top ball,
Test Machine. Evaluation of lubricating grease using the same is pressed with a force of 147 or 392 N [15 or 40 kgf] into the
machine is detailed in Test Method D 2266. cavity formed by the three clamped balls for three-point
1.2 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units contact. The temperature of the test lubricant is regulated at
are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the test the 75°C [167°F] and then the top ball is rotated at 1200 rpm for
inch-pound units are shown in brackets. The values stated in 60 min. Lubricants are compared by using the average size of
each system are not exact equivalents, therefore each system the scar diameters worn on the three lower clamped balls.
must be used independently of the other. Combining values of
NOTE 1—Because of differences in the construction of the various
the two systems may result in nonconformance with the
machines on which the four-ball test can be made, the manufacturer’s
specification.
instructions should be consulted for proper machine set up and operation.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
NOTE 2—Although the test can be run under other parameters, the
precision noted in Section 10 may vary. No aqueous fluid was included in
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
the round-robin to establish the precision limits.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5. Significance and Use
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.1 This test method can be used to determine the relative
2. Referenced Documents wear preventive properties of lubricating fluids in sliding
contact under the prescribed test conditions. No attempt has
2.1 ASTM Standards:
been made to correlate this test with balls in rolling contact.
D 2266 Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics of
The user of this test method should determine to his own
Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method)
satisfaction whether results of this test procedure correlate with
2.2 ANSI Standard:
field performance or other bench test machines.
B3.12 Specification for Metal Balls
6. Apparatus
3. Terminology
6.1 Four-Ball Wear Test Machine —See Figs. 1-3.
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 lubricant, n—any material interposed between two
NOTE 3—It is important to distinguish between the Four-Ball E.P. and
surfaces that reduces the friction or wear between them. the Four-Ball Wear Test Machines. The Four-Ball E.P. Test Machine is
designedfortestingunderheavierloadsandlacksthesensitivitynecessary
3.1.2 wear, n—damage to a solid surface, generally involv-
for wear tests.
ing progressive loss of material due to relative motion between
that surface and a contacting substance or surface.
6.2 Microscope, capable of measuring the diameters of the
scars produced on the three stationary balls to an accuracy of
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-2 on
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee The Four-Ball Wear Test Machine and the Falex Model #6, Multi-Specimen
D02.L on Industrial Lubricants (Joint ASTM/ASLE). Friction and Wear Test Machine, both made by Falex Corp., 1020 Airpark Drive,
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 1994. Published April 1994. Originally SugarGrove,IL60554,havebeenfoundsatisfactoryforthispurpose.Thiscompany
published as D 4172 – 82. Last previous edition D 4172 – 88. can also furnish a microscope with a special base to measure the wear scars without
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01. removing the balls from the test-oil cup. Discontinued models of the Four-BallWear
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th Test Machine made by Precision Scientific Co. and Roxana MachineWorks are also
Floor, New York, NY 10036. satisfactory.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D4172–94 (1999)
9.4 The loading mechanism must be balanced to a zero
reading with all parts and test oil in place. To demonstrate
proper precision an addition or subtraction of 19.6 N [0.2 kgf]
should be detectable in imbalance. Determination of accuracy
of loading at 147 and 392 N [15 and 40 kgf] is difficult and
generally limited to careful measurement of lever-arm ratios
and weights or piston diameter and pressure gage calibration.
10. Procedure
10.1 Thoroughly clean four test balls, clamping parts for
upper and lower balls and the oil cup using solvent or solvents
FIG. 1 Schematic of a Four-Ball Wear Test Machine
with precautions indicated in 6.2. The parts can be final wiped
using a fresh (unused) lint free industrial wipe.After cleaning,
all parts are only to be handled using a fresh wipe. No trace of
0.01 mm. It is more efficient to measure the scars without
solvent should remain when the test oil is introduced and the
removing the three balls from the holder.
machine assembled.
10.2 Tighten one of the clean balls into the spindle of the
7. Materials
test machine.
7.1 Test Balls, chrome alloy steel, made from AISI
10.3 Assemble three of the clean test balls in the test-oil cup
standard steel No. E-52100, with diameter of 12.7 mm [0.5 in.]
and hand tighten using the wrench supplied by the equipment
Grade 25 EP (Extra Polish). Such balls are described in ANSI
manufacture which has been found to be approximately 2.8 to
B3.12. The extra-polish finish is not described in that specifi-
5.6 N·m [25 to 50 lb·in.].
cation. The Rockwell C hardness shall be 64 to 66, a closer
10.4 Pour the oil to be evaluated into the test-oil cup to a
limit than is found in the ANSI requirement.
level at least 3 mm [ ⁄8 in.] above the top of the balls. Observe
7.2 Cleaning Fluids for preparing balls and apparatus for
thatthisoillevelstillexistsafterthetest-oilfillsallofthevoids
the test should be those approved as nontoxic, capable of
in the test-oil cup assembly. In the round-robin to establish this
removing antirust coatings from the balls, elimina
...
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