ASTM D4048-22

Standard Test Method for Detection of Copper Corrosion from Lubricating Grease

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method measures the tendency of lubricating grease to corrode copper under specific static conditions. It may be of some value in predicting possible chemical attack on lubricated parts, such as bearings that contain copper or copper alloys. Such corrosion, for example, can cause premature bearing failures. However, no correlations with actual field service, most of which are under dynamic conditions, have been established. It does not measure either the ability of the lubricant to inhibit copper corrosion caused by factors other than the lubricant itself nor does it measure the stability of the grease in the presence of copper.
Note 1: Because this test method requires the ability to determine subtle differences in color of copper strips, persons with certain types of color blindness may find it difficult to accurately compare a test strip to the Copper Strip Corrosion Standard.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the detection of the corrosiveness to copper of lubricating grease.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
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. For specific warning statements, see Sections 7, 8, and 10.  
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

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Aug-2022
• ICS: 75.100 - Lubricants, industrial oils and related products
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.G0.01 - Chemical and General Laboratory Tests

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: D4048 − 22
Standard Test Method for
1
Detection of Copper Corrosion from Lubricating Grease
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4048; 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* 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers the detection of the corrosive- 3.1 Definitions—See Terminology D4175.
ness to copper of lubricating grease.
3.2 copper corrosion, n—effect of a chemical attack on
coppermetalbyalubricantcausingvariouslevelsoftarnishing
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
and change in appearance.
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
3.2.1 Discussion—Acidic and other aggressive species, of-
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
ten sulfur-based, in a lubricant can attack copper or copper
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
alloys present in bearings or other lubricated surfaces. The
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
presence of this antagonistic interaction is often apparent in a
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
well-defined series of color changes.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.3 lubricant, n—any material interposed between two sur-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
faces that reduces the friction or wear between them.
For specific warning statements, see Sections 7, 8, and 10.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.4 lubricating grease, n—a semi-fluid to solid product of a
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
dispersion of a thickener in a liquid lubricant.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.4.1 Discussion—The dispersion of the thickener forms a
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
two-phase system and immobilizes the liquid lubricant by
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
surface tension and other physical forces. Other ingredients are
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
commonly included to impart special properties.
2. Referenced Documents
4. Summary of Test Method
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.1 Aprepared copper strip is totally immersed in a sample
D97 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
of grease and heated in an oven or liquid bath at a specified
D130 Test Method for Corrosiveness to Copper from Petro-
temperature for a definite period of time. Commonly used
leum Products by Copper Strip Test
conditions are 100 °C 6 1 °C (212 °F 6 2 °F) for 24 h 6
D2500 Test Method for Cloud Point of Petroleum Products
5 min. At the end of this heating period, the strip is removed,
and Liquid Fuels
washed, and compared with the Copper Strip Corrosion Stan-
D4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid
dard.
Fuels, and Lubricants
5. Significance and Use
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
3
Copper Strip Corrosion Standard
5.1 This test method measures the tendency of lubricating
grease to corrode copper under specific static conditions. It
maybeofsomevalueinpredictingpossiblechemicalattackon
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
lubricated parts, such as bearings that contain copper or copper
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
alloys. Such corrosion, for example, can cause premature
Subcommittee D02.G0.01 on Chemical and General Laboratory Tests.
bearing failures. However, no correlations with actual field
Current edition approved Aug. 15, 2022. Published September 2022. Originally
published in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as D4048 – 19a. DOI:
service, most of which are under dynamic conditions, have
10.1520/D4048-22.
been established. It does not measure either the ability of the
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
lubricant to inhibit copper corrosion caused by factors other
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
than the lubricant itself nor does it measure the stability of the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
grease in the presence of copper.
3
Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No.
ADJD0130. Originally produced in 1973. NOTE 1—Because this test method r
...

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: D4048 − 19a D4048 − 22
Standard Test Method for
1
Detection of Copper Corrosion from Lubricating Grease
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4048; 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 detection of the corrosiveness to copper of lubricating grease.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for
information only and are not considered standard.
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. For specific warning statements, see Sections 7, 8, and 10.
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:
D97 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
D130 Test Method for Corrosiveness to Copper from Petroleum Products by Copper Strip Test
D2500 Test Method for Cloud Point of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels
D4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
3
Copper Strip Corrosion Standard
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—See Terminology D4175.
3.2 copper corrosion, n—effect of a chemical attack on copper metal by a lubricant causing various levels of tarnishing and change
in appearance.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.G0.01 on Chemical and General Laboratory Tests.
Current edition approved July 1, 2019Aug. 15, 2022. Published September 2019September 2022. Originally published in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2019
as D4048 – 19.D4048 – 19a. DOI: 10.1520/D4048-19A.10.1520/D4048-22.
2
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.
3
Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. ADJD0130. Originally produced in 1973.
*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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D4048 − 22
3.2.1 Discussion—
Acidic and other aggressive species, often sulfur-based, in a lubricant can attack copper or copper alloys present in bearings or
other lubricated surfaces. The presence of this antagonistic interaction is often apparent in a well-defined series of color changes.
3.3 lubricant, n—any material interposed between two surfaces that reduces the friction or wear between them.
3.4 lubricating grease, n—a semi-fluid to solid product of a dispersion of a thickener in a liquid lubricant.
3.4.1 Discussion—
The dispersion of the thickener forms a two-phase system and immobilizes the liquid lubricant by surface tension and other
physical forces. Other ingredients are commonly included to impart special properties.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A prepared copper strip is totally immersed in a sample of grease and heated in an oven or liquid bath at a specified temperature
for a definite period of time. Commonly used conditions are 100 °C 6 1 °C (212 °F 6 2 °F) for 24 h 6 5 min. At the end of this
heating period, the strip is removed, washed, and compared with the Copper Strip Corrosion Standard.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method measures the tendency of lubricating grease to corrode copper under specific static conditions. It may be of
some value in predicting possible chemical attack on lubricated parts, such as bearings that contain copper o
...