ASTM D566-20
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Dropping Point of Lubricating Grease (Withdrawn 2023)
Standard Test Method for Dropping Point of Lubricating Grease (Withdrawn 2023)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Historically, the dropping point was the temperature at which the grease passed from a semisolid to a liquid state under the conditions of test. This change in state is typical of greases containing thickeners of conventional soap types. Greases containing thickeners other than conventional soaps can, without a change in state, separate oil. This test method is useful to assist in identifying the grease as to type and for establishing and maintaining bench marks for quality control. The results are considered to have only limited significance with respect to service performance of conventional soap thickeners as dropping point is a static test. Above 200 °C, the dropping point has no correlation with the maximum upper operating temperature of the grease.
Note 1: Historical cooperative testing on conventional soap-thickened greases indicated ( RR:D02-1164) that in general, dropping points by Test Method D566 and Test Method D2265 were in agreement. In cases where results differ, there is no known significance. However, agreement between producer and consumer as to the test method used is advisable.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the dropping point of lubricating grease.
1.2 This test method is not recommended for use at bath temperatures above 288 °C. For higher temperatures Test Method D2265 should be used.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 WARNING—The dropping point does not have any bearing on the performance of the grease.
1.5 WARNING—This test method uses mercury-filled thermometers. 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. The responsible subcommittee, D02.G.3, continues to explore alternatives to eventually replace the mercury thermometers.
1.6 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. For specific hazard statements, see 6.4 and 8.1.
1.7 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.
WITHDRAWN RATIONALE
This test method covered the determination of the dropping point of lubricating grease.
Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants, this test method was withdrawn in March 2023 and replaced by Test Method D2265 for Dropping Point of Lubricating Grease Over Wide Temperature Range. This test method was withdrawn because the method created considerable occupational, environmental, and regulatory challenges, and D2265 was identified as a suitable replacement. One challenge with the method was that it utilized an oil bath over open flame and created considerable risk of fire and/or burns to the operator. Another challenge was that the method utilized thermometers from ASTM E1, mercury in glass thermometers, which are illegal to use in some countries/states, create occupational hazards for the operator, and create disposal challenges when the thermometers are no longer usabl...
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D566 − 20 British Standard 2877
Standard Test Method for
1
Dropping Point of Lubricating Grease
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D566; 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* ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the drop-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
ping point of lubricating grease.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.2 This test method is not recommended for use at bath
temperatures above 288 °C. For higher temperatures Test
2. Referenced Documents
Method D2265 should be used.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
D217 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
Grease
standard.
D235 Specification for Mineral Spirits (Petroleum Spirits)
1.4 WARNING—The dropping point does not have any (Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaning Solvent)
bearing on the performance of the grease. D2265 Test Method for Dropping Point of Lubricating
Grease Over Wide Temperature Range
1.5 WARNING—This test method uses mercury-filled
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
thermometers. Mercury has been designated by many regula-
tory agencies as a hazardous substance that can cause serious
3. Terminology
medical issues. Mercury, or its vapor, has been demonstrated to
be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Use Caution 3.1 Definitions:
when handling mercury and mercury-containing products. See 3.1.1 lubricating grease, n—a semi-fluid to solid product of
the applicable product Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for additional a thickener in a liquid lubricant.
information. The potential exists that selling mercury or 3.1.1.1 Discussion—The dispersion of the thickener forms a
mercury-containing products, or both, is prohibited by local or
two-phase system and immobilizes the liquid lubricant by
national law. Users must determine legality of sales in their surface tension and other physical forces. Other ingredients are
location. The responsible subcommittee, D02.G.3, continues to
commonly included to impart special properties. D217
explore alternatives to eventually replace the mercury ther-
3.1.2 thickener, n—in lubricating grease, a substance com-
mometers.
posed of finely-divided particles dispersed in a liquid to form
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the the product’s structure.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.2.1 Discussion—Thickeners can be fibers (such as vari-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- ous metallic soaps) or plates or spheres (such as certain
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
non-soaps thickeners), which are insoluble or, at most, only
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. very slightly soluble in the liquid lubricant. The general
For specific hazard statements, see 6.4 and 8.1. requirements are that the solid particles are extremely small,
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor- uniformly dispersed and capable of forming a relatively stable,
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- gel-like structure with the liquid lubricant. D217
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
3.2.1 dropping point, n—a numerical value assigned to a
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricantsand is the direct responsibility of
grease composition representing the temperature at which the
Subcommittee D02.G0.03 on Physical Tests.
Current edition approved May 1, 2020. Published June 2020. Originally
approved in 1940. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D566 – 17. DOI:
10.1520/D0566-20.
2
In the IP, this test method is under the jurisdiction of the Standardization For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Committee. This test method was adopted as a joint ASTM-IP standard in 1964. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
This test method has been adopted for use by government agencies to replace Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Method 1421 of Federal Test Method Standard No. 791b. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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