ASTM D1404/D1404M-99(2008)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Estimation of Deleterious Particles in Lubricating Grease
Standard Test Method for Estimation of Deleterious Particles in Lubricating Grease
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
p>The significance of the number of scratches as far as correlation with field performance is concerned has not been established. A particle which is abrasive to plastic will not necessarily be abrasive to steel or other bearing materials. Some correlation was obtained in that the contaminant used in Sample 3 (see 10.1.1) had a greater wear rate in a laboratory ball bearing abrasive wear test than the contaminant in Sample 2.
Note 1—The number of scratches obtained cannot be used to draw fine differences between greases, but rather, to group them into two or three general classes. One such possible division could be:
1 ... . less than 10 scratches 2 ... . 10 to 40 scratches 3 ... . more than 40 scratches
An advantage of this test method is that each test takes only a few minutes to run.
This test method is used for quality control and specification purpose.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for the detection and estimation of deleterious particles in lubricating grease.
1.2 This test method is applicable to all lubricating greases. It can also be used to test other semi-solid or viscous materials. Grease fillers, such as graphite and molybdenum disulfide, can be tested for abrasive contaminants by first mixing them into petrolatum or grease known to be free of deleterious particles.
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: D1404/D1404M − 99(Reapproved 2008)
Standard Test Method for
Estimation of Deleterious Particles in Lubricating Grease
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1404/D1404M; 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 3.2.1 lubricant, n—any material interposed between two
surfaces that reduces the friction or wear between them.
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for the detection
3.2.2 lubricating grease, n—a semi-fluid to solid product of
and estimation of deleterious particles in lubricating grease.
a dispersion of a thickener in a liquid lubricant.
1.2 This test method is applicable to all lubricating greases.
3.2.2.1 Discussion—The dispersion of the thickener forms a
It can also be used to test other semi-solid or viscous materials.
two-phase system and immobilizes the liquid lubricant by
Grease fillers, such as graphite and molybdenum disulfide, can
surface tension and other physical forces. Other ingredients are
be tested for abrasive contaminants by first mixing them into
commonly included to impart special properties.
petrolatum or grease known to be free of deleterious particles.
3.2.3 thickener, n—in lubricating grease, a substance com-
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
posed of finely-divided particles dispersed in a liquid lubricant
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
to form the product’s structure.
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
3.2.3.1 Discussion—The solid thickener can be fibers (such
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
as various metallic soaps) or plates or spheres (such as certain
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
non-soap thickeners), which are insoluble or, at the most, only
with the standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in
very slightly soluble in the liquid lubricant. The general
brackets.
requirements are that the solid particles be extremely small,
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
uniformlydispersed,andcapableofformingarelativelystable,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
gel-like structure with the liquid lubricant.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.3.1 deleterious particles, n—in lubricating grease, minute
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
bits of solid material present as a contaminant and abrasive to
2. Referenced Documents acrylic plastic.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4. Summary of Test Method
D235 Specification for Mineral Spirits (Petroleum Spirits)
(Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaning Solvent)
4.1 A small portion of the lubricating grease sample is
D785 Test Method for Rockwell Hardness of Plastics and
placed between two clean, highly polished acrylic-plastic
Electrical Insulating Materials
plates held rigidly and parallel in metal holders. A pressure of
D4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum, Petroleum
200 psi [1.38 MPa] is applied, and one plate is rotated 30°
Products, and Lubricants
relative to the other. Particles harder than the plastic and
exceeding in size the distance between the plates will imbed in
3. Terminology
the plates and cause characteristic, arc-shaped scratches in the
3.1 Definitions—See Terminology D4175. plates.
3.2 Definitions:
4.2 The relative number of such solid particles can be
estimated by counting the total number of arc-shaped scratches
on the two plates.
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.
5. Significance and Use
CurrenteditionapprovedMay1,2008.PublishedJuly2008.Originallyapproved
5.1 The significance of the number of scratches as far as
in1956.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2003asD1404/D1404M–99(2003).DOI:
10.1520/D1404_D1404M-99R08.
correlation with field performance is concerned has not been
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
established. A particle which is abrasive to plastic will not
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
necessarily be abrasive to steel or other bearing materials.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. Some correlation was obtained in that the contaminant used in
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D1404/D1404M − 99 (2008)
(a) Assembled View
(b) Unassembled View
FIG. 1 Apparatus for Determining Deleterious Particles in Lubricating Grease
Sample 3 (see 10.1.1) had a greater wear rate in a laboratory 5.3 This test method is used for quality control and speci-
ball bearing abrasive wear test than the contaminant in Sample fication purpose.
2.
6. Apparatus
NOTE 1—The number of scratches obtained cannot be used to draw fine
differences between greases, but rather, to group them into two or three 6.1 The test apparatus is shown in Figs. 1 and 2.As
general classes. One such possible division could be:
illustrated in Fig. 2, the plastic test plates (commercial acrylic
1 . . less than 10 scratches
2 . . 10 to 40 scratches
3 . . more than 40 scratches
5.2 An advantage of this test method is that each test takes
only a few minutes to run.
D1404/D1404M − 99 (2008)
mm square by 3.2 6 0.64 mm] uniformly thick, having a
Rockwell M hardness of 94 6 10 (Test Method D785), and
having highly polished surfaces protected on both sides with
protective paper.
NOTE 3—Whether dimensioned in inches or millimetres, the plastic test
plates should be fabricated to match the square recesses in holders 2 and
1 plastic test plates
7.
2 lower plate holder
3 body
4 spring
7. Reagents and Materials
5 spring follower plate
6 loading screw 7.1 Stoddard solvent conforming to Specification D235.
7 upper plate holder
(Warning—Flammable. Vapor harmful.)
8 cap
9 threaded pin
NOTE 4—Other naphthas or pure paraffinic hydrocarbons, such as
10 leather washer
n-heptane, can be substituted providing they are suitable volatile and do
11 handle
not soften or otherwise attack acrylic plastic.
12 indicator pin
13 key
14 wing nut
8. Procedure
8.1 Use a fine, smoothing file to break sharp edges of one
face of each test plate. (Asharp edge could scratch the face of
the opposite plate.) Remove plastic filings and dust. Do not
remove protective paper at this time.
8.2 Completely remove the tension from the spring and
disassemble the apparatus from the top, Fig. 1b. Snap a test
FIG. 2 Cross-section View of Apparatus
plate into each of the square recesses of holders 2 and 7 (Fig.
3,4
2); locate the plates
...
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