ASTM D4172-21
(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)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method can be used to determine the relative wear preventive properties of lubricating fluids in sliding contact under the prescribed test conditions. No attempt has been made to correlate this test with balls in rolling contact. The user of this test method should determine to his own satisfaction whether results of this test procedure correlate with field performance or other bench test machines.
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 SI units are to be regarded as standard. Because the equipment used in this test method is only available in kgf units, SI units in parentheses are for information only.
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
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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: D4172 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Fluid (Four-
1
Ball Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4172; 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.
3
1. Scope* 2.2 ANSI/ABMA/ISO Standard:
3290-1-2014 Rolling Bearings – Balls – Part 1: Steel Balls
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for making a
preliminary evaluation of the anti-wear properties of fluid
3. Terminology
lubricants in sliding contact by means of the Four-Ball Wear
3.1 Definitions:
Test Machine. Evaluation of lubricating grease using the same
3.1.1 lubricant, n—any material interposed between two
machine is detailed in Test Method D2266.
surfaces that reduces the friction or wear, or both, between
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
them.
standard. Because the equipment used in this test method is
3.1.2 wear, n—damage to a solid surface, generally involv-
only available in kgf units, SI units in parentheses are for
ing progressive loss of material due to relative motion between
information only.
that surface and a contacting substance or surface.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Summary of Test Method
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1
4.1 Three 12.7 mm ( ⁄2 in.) diameter steel balls are clamped
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
together and covered with the lubricant to be evaluated. A
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
fourth 12.7 mm diameter steel ball, referred to as the top ball,
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
is pressed with a force of 15 kgf or 40 kgf (147 N or 392 N)
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
into the cavity formed by the three clamped balls for three-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
point contact. The temperature of the test lubricant is regulated
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
at 75 °C (167 °F) and then the top ball is rotated at 1200 r/min
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
for 60 min. Lubricants are compared by using the average size
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
of the scar diameters worn on the three lower clamped balls.
2. Referenced Documents
NOTE 1—Because of differences in the construction of the various
2 machines on which the four-ball test can be made, the manufacturer’s
2.1 ASTM Standards:
instructions should be consulted for proper machine set up and operation.
D2266 Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics of
NOTE 2—Although the test can be run under other parameters, the
Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method)
precision noted in Section 10 may vary. No aqueous fluid was included in
the round-robin to establish the precision limits.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
5. Significance and Use
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricantsand is the direct responsibility of
5.1 This test method can be used to determine the relative
Subcommittee D02.L0.11 on Tribological Properties of Industrial Fluids and
Lubricates.
wear preventive properties of lubricating fluids in sliding
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2021. Published January 2022. Originally
contact under the prescribed test conditions. No attempt has
approved in 1982. Last previous edition approved in 2020 as D4172 – 20. DOI:
been made to correlate this test with balls in rolling contact.
10.1520/D4172-21.
2
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
3
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.
*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
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4172 − 21
The user of this test method should determine to his own 8. Test Conditions
satisfaction whether results of this test procedure correlate with
...
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: D4172 − 20 D4172 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Fluid (Four-
1
Ball Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4172; 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 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 SI units are to be regarded as standard. Because the equipment used in this test method is only available
in kgf units, SI units in parentheses are for information only.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D2266 Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method)
3
2.2 ANSIANSI/ABMA/ISO Standard:
B3.123290-1-2014 Specification for Metal Rolling Bearings – Balls – Part 1: Steel Balls
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 lubricant, n—any material interposed between two surfaces that reduces the friction or wear, or both, between them.
3.1.2 wear, n—damage to a solid surface, generally involving progressive loss of material due to relative motion between that
surface and a contacting substance or surface.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricantsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.L0.11 on Tribological Properties of Industrial Fluids and Lubricates.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2020Nov. 1, 2021. Published December 2020January 2022. Originally approved in 1982. Last previous edition approved in 20182020
as D4172 – 18.D4172 – 20. DOI: 10.1520/D4172-20.10.1520/D4172-21.
2
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.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
*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
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4172 − 21
4. Summary of Test Method
1
4.1 Three 12.7 mm ( ⁄2 in.) diameter steel balls are clamped together and covered with the lubricant to be evaluated. A fourth
12.7 mm diameter steel ball, referred to as the top ball, is pressed with a force of 15 kgf or 40 kgf (147 N or 392 N) into the cavity
formed by the three clamped balls for three-point contact. The temperature of the test lubricant is regulated at 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 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 set up and operation.
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 the
round-robin to establish the precision limits.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method can be used to determine the relative wear preventive properties of lubricating fluids in sliding contact under
the prescribed test conditions. No attempt ha
...
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