ASTM D6074-99
(Guide)Standard Guide for Characterizing Hydrocarbon Lubricant Base Oils
Standard Guide for Characterizing Hydrocarbon Lubricant Base Oils
SCOPE
1.1 This guide suggests physical, chemical, and toxicological test methods for characterizing hydrocarbon lubricant base oils derived from various refining processes including re-refining, used oils, and refining crude oil. This guide does not purport to cover all tests which could be employed. It is the responsibility of the buyer and seller to determine and agree upon the implementation of this guide.
1.2 This guide applies only to base oils and not to finished lubricants.
1.3 This guide is relevant to base oils composed of hydrocarbons and intended for use in formulating products including automotive and industrial lubricants. These base oils would typically have a viscosity of approximately 2 to 40 mm2/s (cSt) at 100°C (50 to 3740 SUS at 100°F).
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.
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An American National Standard
Designation:D6074–99
Standard Guide for
Characterizing Hydrocarbon Lubricant Base Oils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6074; 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.
INTRODUCTION
This guide is generated in response to a request from automobile manufacturers that ASTM
Committee D-2 develop a standard for re-refined base oils. As the document evolved through the
consensus process, it was agreed that it would be appropriate to present this information as an
educational guide and to include base oils from various refining processes, including both re-refining
of used oils and refining of crude oils.
This guide represents the first step in better describing important parameters of lubricant base oils
affecting lubricant performance and safe handling. Tests have been identified to characterize the
composition and performance of base oils in addition to verifying their consistency. Undesirable
components have also been identified, with a range of typical levels. These are not limits.
Thisguidedoesnotintendtocoverallbaseoilviscositygrades.However,itdoescoverthemajority
of viscosities that would be used in both automotive and industrial oil formulations.
1. Scope D 91 Test Method for Precipitation Number of Lubricating
Oils
1.1 This guide suggests physical, chemical, and toxicologi-
D 92 Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland
cal test methods for characterizing hydrocarbon lubricant base
Open Cup
oils derived from various refining processes including re-
D 97 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
refining used oils and refining crude oil. This guide does not
D 130 Test Method for Detection of Copper Corrosion from
purport to cover all tests which could be employed. It is the
Petroleum Products by the Copper Strip Tarnish Test
responsibility of the buyer and seller to determine and agree
D 189 Test Method for Conradson Carbon Residue of
upon the implementation of this guide.
Petroleum Products
1.2 This guide applies only to base oils and not to finished
D 445 Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent
lubricants.
and Opaque Liquids (and the Calculation of Dynamic
1.3 This guide is relevant to base oils composed of hydro-
Viscosity)
carbons and intended for use in formulating products including
D 524 Test Method for Ramsbottom Carbon Residue of
automotive and industrial lubricants. These base oils would
Petroleum Products
typicallyhaveaviscosityofapproximately2to40mm /s(cSt)
D 664 Test Method forAcid Number of Petroleum Products
at 100°C (50 to 3740 SUS at 100°F).
by Potentiometric Titration
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
D 974 Test Method for Acid and Base Number by Color-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Indicator Titration
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
D 1298 Practice for Density, Relative Density (Specific
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Gravity), or API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Liquid
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Petroleum Products by Hydrometer Method
2. Referenced Documents D 1401 Test Method for Water Separability of Petroleum
Oils and Synthetic Fluids
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 1500 Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Prod-
ucts (ASTM Color Scale)
D 1744 Test Method for Water in Liquid Petroleum Prod-
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum
ucts by Karl Fischer Reagent
Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D02.P0 on
Recycled Petroleum Products.
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 1999. Published April 1999. Originally
published as D 6074-98. Last previous edition D 6074-98.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 5.01.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D6074–99
D 2007 Test Method for Characteristic Groups in Rubber tial of Virgin Base Oils in Metalworking Fluids
Extender and Processing Oils and Other Petroleum- 2.2 Government Standard:
Derived Oils by the Clay-Gel Adsorption Chromato- EPA8120, Chlorinated Hydrocarbons by GC/MS, EPASW-
2 7
graphic Method 846
D 2270 Practice for CalculatingViscosity Index from Kine- 2.3 Other Standards:
matic Viscosity at 40 and 100°C IP 346, Polycyclic Aromatics and Other Species in Petro-
D 2622 Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products by leum Fractions by Dimethyl Sulfoxide—Refractive Index
2 8
X-Ray Spectrometry Method
D 2887 Test Method for Boiling Range Distribution of CEC L-40-A-93 Evaporation Loss of Lubricating Oils
2 9
Petroleum Fractions by Gas Chromatography (NOACK)
D 2896 Test Method for Base Number of Petroleum Prod- JPI-5S-41-93, Method B, Determination of Evaporation
2 10
ucts by Potentiometric Perchloric Acid Titration Loss of Engine Oils (Unified NOACK)
D 3120 Test Method for Trace Quantities of Sulfur in Light 29 CFR Part 1910 Hazard Communication; Interpretation
Liquid Petroleum Hydrocarbons by Oxidative Microcou- Regarding Lubricity Oils, Federal Register, Part 50 (245),
2 11
lometry pp. 5182–5185.
D 4052 Test Method for Density and Relative Density of
3. Terminology
Liquids by Digital Density Meter
D 4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
3.1 Definitions—For definition of standard terms used in
Petroleum Products
this guide, see Terminology D 4175 or Compilation of ASTM
D 4059 Test Method forAnalysis of Polychlorinated Biphe-
Standard Definitions.
nyls in Insulating Liquids by Gas Chromatography
3.1.1 base stock, n—a hydrocarbon lubricant component,
D 4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum, Petroleum
other than an additive, that is produced by a single manufac-
Products, and Lubricants
turer to the same specifications (independent of feed source or
D 4291 Test Method for Trace Ethylene Glycol in Used
manufacturer’s location), and that is identified by a unique
Engine Oil
formula number or product identification number, or both.
D 4294 Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products by
3.1.2 base oil, n—a base stock or a blend of two or more
Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry
base stocks used to produce finished lubricants, usually in
D 4530 Test Method for Determination of Carbon Residue
combination with additives.
(Micro Method)
3.1.3 guide,n—aseriesofoptionsorinstructionsthatdonot
D 4628 Test Method for Analysis of Barium, Calcium,
recommend a specific course of action.
Magnesium, and Zinc in Unused Lubricating Oils by
3.1.3.1 Discussion—Whereas a practice describes a general
Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
usage principle, a guide only suggests an approach. The
D 4629 Test Method for Trace Nitrogen in Liquid Petro-
purpose of a guide is to offer guidance, based on a consensus
leum Hydrocarbons by Syringe/Inlet Oxidative Combus-
of viewpoints, but not to establish a fixed procedure.Aguide is
tion and Chemiluminescence Detection
intended to increase the awareness of the user to available
D 4739 Test Method for Base Number Determination by
techniques in a given subject area and to provide information
Potentiometric Titration
from which subsequent evaluation and standardization can be
D 4927 Test Methods for Elemental Analysis of Lubricant
derived.
and Additive Components—Barium, Calcium, Phospho-
rus, Sulfur, and Zinc by Wavelength-Dispersive X-ray 4. Summary of Guide
Fluorescence Spectroscopy
4.1 This guide suggests a listing of properties and potential
D 4929 Test Methods for Determination of Organic Chlo-
contaminants whose determination may be important for a
ride Content in Crude Oil
hydrocarbon base oil due to performance, regulatory, or other
D 4951 Test Method for Determination of Additive Ele-
considerations.Specificapplicationissuessuchasfrequencyof
ments in Lubricating Oils by Inductively Coupled Plasma
testing and the use of other test methods are addressed only in
Atomic Emission Spectrometry
a qualitative manner.
D 5185 Test Method for Determination of Additive Ele-
ments, Wear Metals, and Contaminants in Used Lubricat-
ing Oils and Determination of Selected Elements in Base
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.03.
Oils by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission
U.S. EPA, “Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical,”
Spectrometry (ICP–AES) SW-846. Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402.
D 5480 Test Method for Motor Oil Volatility by Gas Chro-
Standard Methods forAnalysis andTesting of Petroleum and Related Products,
matography
Vol 2. Available from Institute of Petroleum, London, 61 New Cavendish St., W.I.,
E 1687 Test Method for Determining Carcinogenic Poten-
England.
Available from Commission of the European Communities, Rue De La Loi,
B-1049B Rux Elles, Belgium.
Available from Japanese Petroleum Institute, Keidanren Kaikan, 9-4 Ohte-
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 5.02. machi 1-Chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
4 11
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.03. Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 5.03. Office, Washington, DC 20402.
D6074–99
5. Significance and Use 7.1.3 Some of the measurements could be performed on the
individual base stocks, and then, knowing the test results and
5.1 The consistent performance of hydrocarbon lubricant
the proportions of the base stock components in the base oil,
base oils is a critical factor in a wide variety of applications
test values can be calculated. Similarly, laboratory blends of
such as engine oils, industrial lubricants, and metalworking
base stocks in appropriate ratios could substitute for actual
fluids. In addition, in many of these applications humans are
stream samples when sampling is not practical. This procedure
exposed to the base oils as a component of a formulated
should be negotiated between the base oil buyer and the seller.
product such that health or safety considerations may need to
7.1.4 The test methods suggested are not an exhaustive list.
be addressed. This guide suggests a compilation of properties
Many nonstandardized methods are being used in the petro-
and potential contaminants that are understood by those
leum industry, such as high-performance liquid chromatogra-
knowledgeable in the manufacture and use of hydrocarbon
phy (HPLC), supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), and
lubricants to be of significance in some or all applications. A
thin layer chromatography (TLC) methods for the determina-
discussion of each of the suggested properties and potential
tion of saturates content. Further, there are more complex tests
contaminants is provided in Appendix X1, with each listed
available for some properties that might give equivalent or
alphabetically within four categories.
superior information. For example, estimates of dermal carci-
5.2 Potential sources of base oil variation include the raw
nogenic potential can be obtained from screener tests, such as
material, manufacturing process, operating conditions, storage,
Test Method E 1687 or IP 346, but the Chronic Animal
transportation, and blending.
Bioassay Analysis (that is, mouse skin painting assay) repre-
5.3 The test methods, base oil properties, and potential
sentsthedefinitivetestforthedeterminationofcarcinogenicity
contaminantssuggestedarethosethatwouldlikelybeusefulin
hazard of base oils.
many common situations, although it is recognized that there
arespecificapplicationsandsituationsthatcouldhavedifferent
NOTE 1—Local legislative and regulatory requirements may also apply
requirements. Performance testing related to the specific appli-
when selecting the tests to be run.
cation should serve as the basis for acceptability.
7.1.5 Some of the physical, compositional, and contaminant
5.4 Issues such as frequency of testing and the specifics of
test methods cited inTable 1 andTable 2 are utilized outside of
howthetestresultsaretobeappliedarenotaddressedindetail.
their published scopes. If this is the case, there typically is no
It is the responsibility of the buyer and seller to determine and
other more appropriate method, and industry experience has
agree upon the implementation of this guide.This guide serves
shown the test method to give acceptable results.
as a basis for that discussion.
7.1.6 If the test method is a modification to an accepted test
method, it should be identified when providing information on
6. Sampling
a base oil (for example, DXXXX Mod.).
6.1 Sampling of base oils may be required as part of the
7.2 Properties and Potential Contaminants:
buyer/seller arrangement. If a sampling program is required,
7.2.1 The following tables contain suggested properties,
sampling in accordance with Practice D 4057 or a suitable
potential contaminants, and commonly used test methods that
alternative may be employed.
one might want to include in a base oil evaluation.
7.2.2 Table 1 includes physical and compositional proper-
7. Procedure
ties and test methods only.
7.1 Application of Guide:
7.2.3 Table 2 includes parameters that may relate to poten-
7.1.1 This guide applies only to hydrocarbon lubricant base
tialcontaminantsandtotoxicologicalproperties.Typicallevels
oils. Base oils containing detectable levels of esters, animal
were compiled through a survey of base oil producers. For
fats, vegetable oils, or other materials used as, or blended into,
further details, see Research Report.
lubricants are not covered by this guide.
7.2.4 A discussion of the significance of each property is
7.1.2 The frequency and extent of testing is to be deter-
provided in Appendix X1.
mined based upon need.Aproperty that can be shown to have
minimal variation with time, a potential contaminant that can
8. Keywords
be shown to be consistently absent or at levels below concern,
8.1 base oil; base stock; hydrocarbon; lubricants; oil
or a toxicological property that is shown to be satisfactory may
justifyinfrequenttestingornoadditionaltesting.Insuchcases,
reporting of typical expected values may be acceptable. Available from ASTM Headquarters, Request RR: D02-1416.
D6074–99
TABLE 1 Suggested Physical and Compositional Property Test
A,B
Methods for Lubricant Base Oils
Property Test Method
Physical properties
C
Appearance
Color D 1500
Density at 15°C, kg/m D 1298, D 4052
Flash point,° C D 92
Kinematic viscosity at 40°C and D 445
100°C, mm /s (cSt)
Pour point, °C
...
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