ASTM D4172-94(2004)
(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)
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 the standard. The values given 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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An American National Standard
Designation:D4172–94 (Reapproved 2004)
Standard Test Method for
Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Fluid (Four-
Ball Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4172; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope 4. Summary of Test Method
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for making a 4.1 Three 12.7-mm [ ⁄2-in.] diameter steel balls are clamped
preliminary evaluation of the anti-wear properties of fluid together and covered with the lubricant to be evaluated. A
lubricants in sliding contact by means of the Four-Ball Wear fourth 12.7-mm diameter steel ball, referred to as the top ball,
Test Machine. Evaluation of lubricating grease using the same is pressed with a force of 147 or 392 N [15 or 40 kgf] into the
machine is detailed in Test Method D 2266. cavity formed by the three clamped balls for three-point
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the contact. The temperature of the test lubricant is regulated at
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information 75°C [167°F] and then the top ball is rotated at 1200 rpm for
only. 60 min. Lubricants are compared by using the average size of
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the the scar diameters worn on the three lower clamped balls.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
NOTE 1—Because of differences in the construction of the various
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
machines on which the four-ball test can be made, the manufacturer’s
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
instructions should be consulted for proper machine set up and operation.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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
2. Referenced Documents
the round-robin to establish the precision limits.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5. Significance and Use
D 2266 Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics of
5.1 This test method can be used to determine the relative
Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method)
3 wear preventive properties of lubricating fluids in sliding
2.2 ANSI Standard:
contact under the prescribed test conditions. No attempt has
B3.12 Specification for Metal Balls
been made to correlate this test with balls in rolling contact.
3. Terminology
The user of this test method should determine to his own
satisfaction whether results of this test procedure correlate with
3.1 Definitions:
field performance or other bench test machines.
3.1.1 lubricant, n—any material interposed between two
surfaces that reduces the friction or wear between them.
6. Apparatus
3.1.2 wear, n—damage to a solid surface, generally involv-
6.1 Four-Ball Wear Test Machine —See Figs. 1-3.
ing progressive loss of material due to relative motion between
that surface and a contacting substance or surface.
NOTE 3—It is important to distinguish between the Four-Ball E.P. and
the Four-Ball Wear Test Machines. The Four-Ball E.P. Test Machine is
designedfortestingunderheavierloadsandlacksthesensitivitynecessary
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
for wear tests.
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.L0 on Industrial Lubricants.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2004. Published November 2004. Originally
approved in 1982. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as D 4172 – 94 (1999). The Four-Ball Wear Test Machine and the Falex Model #6, Multi-Specimen
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Friction and Wear Test Machine, both made by Falex Corp., 1020 Airpark Drive,
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM SugarGrove,IL60554,havebeenfoundsatisfactoryforthispurpose.Thiscompany
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on can also furnish a microscope with a special base to measure the wear scars without
the ASTM website. removing the balls from the test-oil cup. Discontinued models of the Four-BallWear
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., Test Machine made by Precision Scientific Co. and Roxana MachineWorks are also
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036. satisfactory.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D4172–94 (2004)
9.4 The loading mechanism must be balanced to a zero
reading with all parts and test oil in place. To demonstrate
proper precision an addition or subtraction of 19.6 N [0.2 kgf]
should be detectable in imbalance. Determination of accuracy
of loading at 147 and 392 N [15 and 40 kgf] is difficult and
generally limited to careful measurement of lever-arm ratios
and weights or piston diameter and pressure gage calibration.
10. Procedure
10.1 Thoroughly clean four test balls, clamping parts for
upper and lower balls and the oil cup using solvent or solvents
FIG. 1 Schematic of a Four-Ball Wear Test Machine
with precautions indicated in 6.2. The parts can be final wiped
using a fresh (unused) lint free industrial wipe.After cleaning,
6.2 Microscope, capable of measuring the diameters of the
all parts are only to be handled using a fresh wipe. No trace of
scars produced on the three stationary balls to an accuracy of
solvent should remain when the test oil is introduced and the
0.01 mm. It is more efficient to measure the scars without
machine assembled.
removing the three balls from the holder.
10.2 Tighten one of the clean balls into the spindle of the
test machine.
7. Materials
10.3 Assemble three of the clean test balls in the test-oil cup
7.1 Test Balls, chrome alloy steel, made from AISI
and hand tighten using the wrench supplied by the equipment
standard steel No. E-52100, with diameter of 12.7 mm [0.5 in.]
manufacture which has been found to be approximately 2.8 to
Grade 25 EP (Extra Polish). Such balls are described in ANSI
5.6 N·m [25 to 50 lb·in.].
B3.12. The extra-polish finish is not described in that specifi-
10.4 Pour the oil to be evaluated into the test-oil cup to a
cation. The Rockwell C hardness shall be 64 to 66, a closer
level at least 3 mm [ ⁄8 in.] above the top of the balls. Observe
limit than is found in the ANSI requirement.
thatthisoillevelstillexistsafterthetest-oilfillsallofthevoids
7.2 Cleaning Fluids for preparing balls and apparatus for
in the test-oil cup assembly. In the round-robin to establish this
the test should be those approved as nontoxic, capable of
test method the effect of oil level on wear was not determined.
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