ASTM D4172-94(2010)

Standard Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Fluid (Four-Ball Method)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method can be used to determine the relative wear preventive properties of lubricating fluids in sliding contact under the prescribed test conditions. No attempt has been made to correlate this test with balls in rolling contact. The user of this test method should determine to his own satisfaction whether results of this test procedure correlate with field performance or other bench test machines.
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2010
• ICS: 75.100 - Lubricants, industrial oils and related products
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.L0.11 - Tribological Properties of Industrial Fluids and Lubricates

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4172-94(2004)e1 - Standard Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Fluid (Four-Ball Method)
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010
• Replaced By: ASTM D4172-94(2016) - Standard Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Fluid (Four-Ball Method)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2016
• Referred By: ASTM F2161-21 - Standard Guide for Instrument and Precision Bearing Lubricants—Part 1 Oils
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010
• Referred By: ASTM D5183-21a - Standard Test Method for Determination of the Coefficient of Friction of Lubricants Using the Four-Ball Wear Test Machine
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010
• Referred By: ASTM D2266-23 - Standard Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method)
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010
• Referred By: ASTM D8324-21 - Standard Guide for Selection of Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Vessel General Permit
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010

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: D4172 − 94(Reapproved 2010)
Standard Test Method for
Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Fluid (Four-
1
Ball Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4172; 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 4. Summary of Test Method
1
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 D2266. cavity formed by the three clamped balls for three-point
contact. The temperature of the test lubricant is regulated at
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
75°C [167°F] and then the top ball is rotated at 1200 rpm for
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
60 min. Lubricants are compared by using the average size of
only.
the scar diameters worn on the three lower clamped balls.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
NOTE 1—Because of differences in the construction of the various
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
machines on which the four-ball test can be made, the manufacturer’s
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
instructions should be consulted for proper machine set up and operation.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
NOTE 2—Although the test can be run under other parameters, the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
precision noted in Section 10 may vary. No aqueous fluid was included in
the round-robin to establish the precision limits.
2. Referenced Documents
2
5. Significance and Use
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D2266 Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics of
5.1 This test method can be used to determine the relative
Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method)
wear preventive properties of lubricating fluids in sliding
3
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.
The user of this test method should determine to his own
3. Terminology
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
6. Apparatus
surfaces that reduces the friction or wear between them.
4
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
NOTE 3—It is important to distinguish between the Four-Ball E.P. and
that surface and a contacting substance or surface.
the Four-Ball Wear Test Machines. The Four-Ball E.P. Test Machine is
designedfortestingunderheavierloadsandlacksthesensitivitynecessary
1 for wear tests.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
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Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricantsand is the direct responsibility of
6.2 Microscope, capable of measuring the diameters of the
Subcommittee D02.L0.11 on Tribological Properties of Industrial Fluids and
scars produced on the three stationary balls to an accuracy of
Lubricates.
Current edition approved May 1, 2010. Published May 2010. Originally
E1
approved in 1982. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D4172 – 94 (2004) .
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DOI: 10.1520/D4172-94R10. The Four-Ball Wear Test Machine and the Falex Model #6, Multi-Specimen
2
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 [e-mail]. 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
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., Test Machine made by Precision Scientific Co. and Roxana MachineWorks are also
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