ASTM D2266-01(2015)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method)
Standard Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The four-ball wear-test method can be used to determine the relative wear-preventing properties of greases under the test conditions and if the test conditions are changed the relative ratings may be different. No correlation has been established between the four-ball wear test and field service. The test method cannot be used to differentiate between Extreme Pressure (EP) and Non-Extreme Pressure (Non-EP) Greases.4
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the wear preventive characteristics of greases in sliding steel-on-steel applications. It is not intended to predict wear characteristics with metal combinations other than steel-on-steel or to evaluate the extreme pressure characteristics of the grease.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard except where the test apparatus or consumable parts are only available in other units. In such cases, these will be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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.
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Designation: D2266 − 01 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Test Method for
Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Grease
(Four-Ball Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2266; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope Data for Use in Test Methods for Petroleum Products and
Lubricants
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the wear
2.2 ANSI Standard:
preventive characteristics of greases in sliding steel-on-steel
B3.12 for Metal Balls
applications. It is not intended to predict wear characteristics
with metal combinations other than steel-on-steel or to evaluate
3. Terminology
the extreme pressure characteristics of the grease.
3.1 There are no terms in this test method that require new
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
or other than dictionary definitions.
standard except where the test apparatus or consumable parts
are only available in other units. In such cases, these will be 4. Summary of Test Method
regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for 1
4.1 Three ⁄2 in. (12.7 mm) diameter steel balls are clamped
information only.
together and covered with the lubricant to be evaluated. A
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the fourth ⁄2 in. diameter steel ball, referred to as the top ball, is
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
pressed with a force of 40 kgf (392 N) into the cavity formed
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- by the three clamped balls for three-point contact. The tem-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- perature of the lubricating grease specimen is regulated at
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 75 °C (167 °F) and then the top ball is rotated at 1200 r ⁄min
for 60 min. Lubricants are compared by using the average size
2. Referenced Documents
of the scar diameters worn on the three lower clamped balls.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
NOTE 1—Because of differences in the construction of the various
D4172 Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics of
machines on which the four-ball test can be made, the manufacturer’s
instructions should be consulted for proper machine setup and operation.
Lubricating Fluid (Four-Ball Method)
NOTE 2—Although the test can be run under other test parameters, the
D6300 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias
precision noted in Section 11 can vary when testing with other than test
parameters listed in Section 8.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
5. Significance and Use
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D02.G0.04 on Functional Tests - Tribology. 5.1 The four-ball wear-test method can be used to determine
Current edition approved April 1, 2015. Published June 2015. Originally
the relative wear-preventing properties of greases under the test
approved in 1964. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D2266 – 01 (2008).
conditions and if the test conditions are changed the relative
This test method has been adopted for use by government agencies to replace
ratings may be different. No correlation has been established
Method 6514 of Federal Test Method Standard No. 791b. DOI: 10.1520/D2266-
01R15.
between the four-ball wear test and field service. The test
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D2266 − 01 (2015)
method cannot be used to differentiate between Extreme
Pressure (EP) and Non-Extreme Pressure (Non-EP) Greases.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Four-Ball Wear-Tester and Accessories—See Fig. 1 and
Fig. 2.
NOTE 3—It is important to distinguish between the Four-Ball EP Tester
and the Four-Ball Wear Tester. The Four-Ball EP Tester is designed for
testing under heavier loads and more severe conditions; it lacks the
sensitivity necessary for performing four-ball wear test.
6.2 Microscope, capable of measuring the diameters of the
scars produced on the three stationary balls to an accuracy of
0.01 mm. It is more efficient to measure the scars without
removing the three balls from the holder.
FIG. 2 Falex Corporation (Roxanna) Four-Ball Test Arrangement
7. Reagents and Materials
7.1 Test Balls , chrome alloy steel, made from AISI standard
steel No. E-52100, with diameter of 0.5 in. (12.7 mm), Grade
25 EP (Extra Polish). Such balls are described in B3.12, for
Metal Balls. The Extra-Polish finish is not described in that
specification. The Rockwell C hardness shall be 64 to 66, a
Further details on this test method may be found in the article by Stalling, L.,
closer limit than is found in the ANSI requirement.
NLGI Spokesman, Vol 31, No. 11, February 1988, pp. 396–401. This article has been
submitted as a research report, but it does not follow research report guidelines
NOTE 4—Steel balls meeting this description were used in developing
because the work was conducted before research report guidelines were instituted.
the precision of the test.
The sole source of supply of the Four-Ball Wear Test Machine known to the
7.2 Cleaning Fluids for preparing balls and apparatus for
committee at this time is Falex Corp., 1020 Airpark Drive, Sugar Grove, IL 60554.
the test should be those capable of removing metal preservative
If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM
coating from the balls, eliminating carryover effects from one
International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a
meeting of the responsible technical committee, which you may attend. test to the next. The cleaning fluid selected should be non-film-
This company can also furnish a microscope with a special base to measure the
forming and not contribute to the wear or antiwear properties
wear scars without removing the balls from the test-oil cup. Discontinued models of
of the test lubricant. (for example, chlorinated solvents should
the Four-Ball Wear Test Machine made by Precision Scientific Co. and Roxanna
not be used.)
Machine Works are also satisfactory.
The sole source of supply of the microscope known to the committee at this
time is Falex Corp., 1020 Airpark Drive, Sugar Grove, IL 60554. If you are aware
8. Test Conditions
of alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM International
Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
8.1 The test shall be conducted under the following condi-
responsible technical committee, which you may attend.
tions:
Falex Corp. Microscope F-1519-31 measures directly to 0.1 mm and by
Temperature 75 °C ± 2 °C (167 °F ± 4 °F)
interpolation to 0.01 mm. A higher resolution version, F-1519-31A, measures to
Speed 1200 r ⁄ min ± 60 r ⁄ min
0.001 mm.
7 Duration 60 min ± 1 min
Steel balls meeting this description were used in developing the precision of the
Load 40 kgf ± 0.2 kgf (392 N ±
test. They are available from the manufacturer of the test machine and some ball
2 N)
manufacturers. Some operators prefer to check a new box of balls by running an oil
or a lubricating grease with a known reference. All balls used in one test should be
NOTE 5—Although the test can be run under other conditions, the
taken from one carton (of 500 balls) a
...
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: D2266 − 01 (Reapproved 2008) D2266 − 01 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Test Method for
Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Grease
(Four-Ball Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2266; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the wear preventive characteristics of greases in sliding steel-on-steel
applications. It is not intended to predict wear characteristics with metal combinations other than steel-on-steel or to evaluate the
extreme pressure characteristics of the grease.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard except where the test apparatus or consumable parts are only
available in other units. In such cases, these will be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D4172 Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Fluid (Four-Ball Method)
D6300 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias Data for Use in Test Methods for Petroleum Products and Lubricants
2.2 ANSI Standard:
B3.12 for Metal Balls
3. Terminology
3.1 There are no terms in this test method that require new or other than dictionary definitions.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Three ⁄2 in. (12.7-mm) in. (12.7 mm) diameter steel balls are clamped together and covered with the lubricant to be
evaluated. A fourth ⁄2 in. in. diameter steel ball, referred to as the top ball, is pressed with a force of 40 kgf (392 N) 40 kgf (392 N)
into the cavity formed by the three clamped balls for three-point contact. The temperature of the lubricating grease specimen is
regulated at 75°C (167°F)75 °C (167 °F) and then the top ball is rotated at 12001200 r ⁄ rpm for 60 min. min for 60 min. Lubricants
are compared by using the average size of the scar diameters worn on the three lower clamped balls.
NOTE 1—Because of differences in the construction of the various machines on which the four-ball test can be made, the manufacturer’s instructions
should be consulted for proper machine setup and operation.
NOTE 2—Although the test can be run under other test parameters, the precision noted in Section 11 can vary when testing with other than test
parameters listed in Section 8.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D02.G0.04 on Functional Tests - Tribology.
Current edition approved May 1, 2008April 1, 2015. Published September 2008 June 2015. Originally approved in 1964. Last previous edition approved in 20012008 as
D2266D2266 – 01 (2008).–01.
This test method has been adopted for use by government agencies to replace Method 6514 of Federal Test Method Standard No. 791b. DOI: 10.1520/D2266-
01R08.10.1520/D2266-01R15.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D2266 − 01 (2015)
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The four-ball wear-test method can be used to determine the relative wear-preventing properties of greases under the test
conditions and if the test conditions are changed the relative ratings may be different. No correlation has been established between
the four-ball wear test and field service. The test method cannot be used to differentiate between Extreme Pressure (EP) and
Non-Extreme Pressure (Non-EP) Greases.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Four-Ball Wear-Tester and Accessories—See Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.
NOTE 3—It is important to distinguish between the Four-Ball EP Tester and the Four-Ball Wear Tester. The Four-Ball EP Tester is designed for testing
under heavier loads and more severe conditions; it lacks the sensitivity necessary for performing four-ball wear test.
6.2 Microscope, capable of measuring the diameters of the scars produced on the three stationary balls to an accuracy of 0.01
mm. 0.01 mm. It is more efficient to measure the scars without removing the three balls from the holder.
7. Reagents and Materials
7.1 Test Balls , chrome alloy steel, made from AISI standard steel No. E-52100, with diameter of 0.5 in. (12.7 mm), 0.5 in.
(12.7 mm), Grade 25 EP (Extra Polish). Such balls are described in B3.12, for Metal Balls. The Extra-Polish finish is not described
in that specification. The Rockwell C hardness shall be 64 to 66, a closer limit than is found in the ANSI requirement.
NOTE 4—Steel balls meeting this description were used in developing the precision of the test.
7.2 Cleaning Fluids for preparing balls and apparatus for the test should be those capable of removing metal preservative
coating from the balls, eliminating carryover effects from one test to the next. The cleaning fluid selected should be
non-film-forming and not contribute to the wear or antiwear properties of the test lubricant. (for example, chlorinated solvents
should not be used.)
Further details on this test method may be found in the article by Stalling, L., NLGI Spokesman, Vol 31, No. 11, February 1988, pp. 396–401. This article has been
submitted as a research report, but it does not follow research report guidelines because the work was conducted before research report guidelines were instituted.
The sole source of supply of the Four-Ball Wear Test Machine known to the committee at this time is Falex Corp., 1020 Airpark Drive, Sugar Grove, IL 60554. If you
are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of
the responsible technical committee, which you may attend.
This company can also furnish a microscope with a special base to measure the wear scars without removing the balls from the test-oil cup. Discontinued models of the
Four-Ball Wear Test Machine made by Precision Scientific Co. and Roxanna Machine Works are also satisfactory.
The sole source of supply of the microscope known to the committee at this time is Falex Corp., 1020 Airpark Drive, Sugar Grove, IL 60554. If you are aware of
alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible
technical committee, which you may attend.
Falex Corp. Microscope F-1519-31 measures directly to 0.1 mm 0.1 mm and by interpolation to 0.01 mm. 0.01 mm. A higher resolution version, F-1519-31A, measures
to 0.001 mm.0.001 mm.
Steel balls meeting this description were used in developing the precision of the test. They are available from the manufacturer of the test machine and some ball
manufacturers. Some operators prefer to check a new box of balls by running an oil or a lubricating grease with a known reference. All balls used in one test should be taken
from one carton (of 500 balls) as received from the supplier.
FIG. 1 Precision Scientific Company Four-Ball Test Arrangement
D2266 − 01 (2015)
FIG. 2 Falex Corporation (Roxanna) Four-Ball Test Arrangement
8.
...
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