ASTM D2878-21

Standard Test Method for Estimating Apparent Vapor Pressures and Molecular Weights of Lubricating Oils

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The vapor pressure of a substance as determined by measurement of evaporation reflects a property of the bulk sample. Little weight is given by the procedure to the presence of low concentrations of volatile impurities.  
5.2 Vapor pressure, per se, is a thermodynamic property that is dependent only upon composition and temperature for stable systems. In the present method, composition changes occur during the course of the test so that the contribution of minor amounts of volatile impurities is minimized.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a calculation procedure for converting data obtained by Test Method D972 to apparent vapor pressures and molecular weights. It has been demonstrated to be applicable to petroleum-based and synthetic ester lubricating oils,2 at temperatures of 395 K to 535 K (250 °F to 500 °F). However, its applicability to lubricating greases has not been established.  
Note 1: Most lubricants boil over a fairly wide temperature range, a fact recognized in discussion of their vapor pressures. For example, the apparent vapor pressure over the range 0 % to 0.1 % evaporated may be as much as 100 times that over the range 4.9 % to 5.0 % evaporated.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. In cases in which materials, products, or equipment are available in inch-pound units only, SI units are omitted.  
1.3 WARNING—Mercury has been designated by many regulatory agencies as a hazardous substance that can cause serious medical issues. Mercury, or its vapor, has been demonstrated to be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Use caution when handling mercury and mercury-containing products. See the applicable product Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for additional information. The potential exists that selling mercury or mercury-containing products, or both, is prohibited by local or national law. Users must determine legality of sales in their location.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability or regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific warning statements, see 6.2, 7.1, 8.2, and Annex A2.  
1.5 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: 30-Nov-2021
• ICS: 75.100 - Lubricants, industrial oils and related products
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.L0.07 - Engineering Sciences of High Performance Fluids and Solids (Formally D02.1100)

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: D2878 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Estimating Apparent Vapor Pressures and Molecular
1
Weights of Lubricating Oils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2878; 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* 1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 This test method covers a calculation procedure for
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
converting data obtained by Test Method D972 to apparent
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
vapor pressures and molecular weights. It has been demon-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
strated to be applicable to petroleum-based and synthetic ester
2 Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
lubricating oils, at temperatures of 395 K to 535 K (250 °F to
500 °F). However, its applicability to lubricating greases has
2. Referenced Documents
not been established.
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
NOTE 1—Most lubricants boil over a fairly wide temperature range, a
A240/A240M Specification for Chromium and Chromium-
fact recognized in discussion of their vapor pressures. For example, the
Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip for Pressure
apparent vapor pressure over the range 0 % to 0.1 % evaporated may be
as much as 100 times that over the range 4.9 % to 5.0 % evaporated.
Vessels and for General Applications
D92 Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
Open Cup Tester
standard. In cases in which materials, products, or equipment
D972 Test Method for Evaporation Loss of Lubricating
are available in inch-pound units only, SI units are omitted.
Greases and Oils
1.3 WARNING—Mercury has been designated by many
D2503 TestMethodforRelativeMolecularMass(Molecular
regulatory agencies as a hazardous substance that can cause
Weight) of Hydrocarbons by Thermoelectric Measure-
serious medical issues. Mercury, or its vapor, has been dem-
ment of Vapor Pressure
onstrated to be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials.
D2595 Test Method for Evaporation Loss of Lubricating
Use caution when handling mercury and mercury-containing
Greases Over Wide-Temperature Range
products. See the applicable product Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
D2883 Test Method for Reaction Threshold Temperature of
for additional information. The potential exists that selling
4
Liquid and Solid Materials (Withdrawn 2016)
mercury or mercury-containing products, or both, is prohibited
D4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid
by local or national law. Users must determine legality of sales
Fuels, and Lubricants
in their location.
E659 Test Method for Autoignition Temperature of Chemi-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
cals
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3. Terminology
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
mine the applicability or regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer
For specific warning statements, see 6.2, 7.1, 8.2, and Annex
to Terminology D4175.
A2.
3.1.2 apparent vapor pressure (p), n—the time-averaged
value of the vapor pressure from the start to the end of the
1 evaporation test.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of Committee D02 on Petroleum
Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcom-
mittee D02.L0.07 on Engineering Sciences of High Performance Fluids and Solids
(Formally D02.1100).
3
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2021. Published February 2022. Originally For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D2878 – 10 (2016). contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
DOI: 10.1520/D2878-21. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
2
Coburn, J. F., “Lubricant Vapor Pressure Derived from Evaporation Loss,” the ASTM website.
4
Transactions, American Society of Lubricating Engineers, ASLTA, Vol 12 , 1969, The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
pp.129–134. www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standa
...

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: D2878 − 10 (Reapproved 2016) D2878 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Estimating Apparent Vapor Pressures and Molecular
1
Weights of Lubricating Oils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2878; 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 calculation procedure for converting data obtained by Test Method D972 to apparent vapor pressures
2
and molecular weights. It has been demonstrated to be applicable to petroleum-based and synthetic ester lubricating oils, at
temperatures of 395 K to 535 K (250 °F to 500 °F). However, its applicability to lubricating greases has not been established.
NOTE 1—Most lubricants boil over a fairly wide temperature range, a fact recognized in discussion of their vapor pressures. For example, the apparent
vapor pressure over the range 0 % to 0.1 % evaporated may be as much as 100 times that over the range 4.9 % to 5.0 % evaporated.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. In cases in which materials, products, or equipment are
available in inch-pound units only, SI units are omitted.
1.3 WARNING—Mercury has been designated by many regulatory agencies as a hazardous materialsubstance that can cause
central nervous system, kidney and liver damage. serious medical issues. Mercury, or its vapor, may has been demonstrated to be
hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should be taken Use caution when handling mercury and mercury
containing mercury-containing products. See the applicable product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA’s
website—http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm—for additional information. Users should be aware (SDS) for additional informa-
tion. The potential exists that selling mercury or mercury containing products into your state or country may be prohibited by
law.mercury-containing products, or both, is prohibited by local or national law. Users must determine legality of sales in their
location.
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability or regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific warning statements, see 6.2, 7.1, 8.2, and Annex A2.
1.5 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
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.L0.07 on Engineering Sciences of High Performance Fluids and Solids (Formally D02.1100).
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2016Dec. 1, 2021. Published February 2016February 2022. Originally approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 20102016
as D2878 – 10.D2878 – 10 (2016). DOI: 10.1520/D2878-10R16.10.1520/D2878-21.
2
Coburn, J. F., “Lubricant Vapor Pressure Derived from Evaporation Loss,” Transactions, American Society of Lubricating Engineers, ASLTA, Vol 12 , 1969, pp. 129–134.
3
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
1

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D2878 − 21
A240/A240M Specification for Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip for Pressure Vessels and
for General Applications
D92 Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland Open Cup Tester
D972 Test Method for Evaporation Loss of Lubricating Greases and Oils
D2503 Test Method for Relative Molecular Mass (Molecular Weight) of Hydrocarbons by Thermoelectric Measure
...