ASTM D6121-19ae1

Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Load-Carrying Capacity of Lubricants Under Conditions of Low Speed and High Torque Used for Final Hypoid Drive Axles

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method measures a lubricant's ability to protect final drive axles from abrasive wear, adhesive wear, plastic deformation, and surface fatigue when subjected to low-speed, high-torque conditions. Lack of protection can lead to premature gear or bearing failure, or both.  
5.2 This test method is used, or referred to, in the following documents:  
5.2.1 American Petroleum Institute (API) Publication 1560.8  
5.2.2 STP-512A.9  
5.2.3 SAE J308.  
5.2.4 Military Specification MIL-PRF-2105E.  
5.2.5 SAE J2360.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is commonly referred to as the L-37 test.2 This test method covers a test procedure for evaluating the load-carrying, wear, and extreme pressure properties of a gear lubricant in a hypoid axle under conditions of low-speed, high-torque operation.  
1.2 This test method also provides for the running of the low axle temperature (Canadian) L-37 test. The procedure for the low axle temperature (Canadian) L-37 test is identical to the standard L-37 test with the exceptions of the items specifically listed in Annex A9. The procedure modifications listed in Annex A9 refer to the corresponding section of the standard L-37 test method.  
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.3.1 Exceptions—In Table A12.1, the values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. Also, no SI unit is provided where there is not a direct SI equivalent.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific warning information is given in Sections 4 and 7.  
1.5 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: 31-Oct-2019
• ICS: 75.100 - Lubricants, industrial oils and related products
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.B0.03 - Automotive Gear Lubricants & Fluids

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.
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Designation: D6121 − 19a
Standard Test Method for
Evaluation of Load-Carrying Capacity of Lubricants Under
Conditions of Low Speed and High Torque Used for Final
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Hypoid Drive Axles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6121; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
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ε NOTE—Editorially updated TMC governance information in June 2022.
INTRODUCTION
This test method is written for use by laboratories that use the portions of the test method that refer
to ASTM Test Monitoring Center (TMC) services (see Annex A1 – Annex A4). Laboratories that
choose not to use the TMC services may simply disregard these portions.
TheTMCprovidesreferenceoils,andengineeringandstatisticalservicestolaboratoriesthatdesire
to produce test results that are statistically similar to those produced by laboratories previously
calibrated by the TMC.
In general, the Test Purchaser decides if a calibrated test stand is to be used. Organizations such as
theAmericanChemistryCouncilrequirethatalaboratoryutilizetheTMCservicesaspartoftheirtest
registration process. In addition, the American Petroleum Institute and the Gear Lubricant Review
Committee of the Lubricant Review Institute (SAE International) require that a laboratory use the
TMC services in seeking qualification of oils against their specifications.
NOTE 1—The advantage of using the TMC services to calibrate test stands is that the test laboratory (and hence the
Test Purchaser) has an assurance that the test stand was operating at the proper level of test severity. It should also be
borne in mind that results obtained in a non calibrated test stand may not be the same as those obtained in a test stand
participating in the ASTM TMC services process.
1. Scope* low axle temperature (Canadian) L-37 test is identical to the
standard L-37 test with the exceptions of the items specifically
1.1 This test method is commonly referred to as the L-37
2
listed in Annex A9. The procedure modifications listed in
test. This test method covers a test procedure for evaluating
Annex A9 refer to the corresponding section of the standard
the load-carrying, wear, and extreme pressure properties of a
L-37 test method.
gear lubricant in a hypoid axle under conditions of low-speed,
high-torque operation.
1.3 Thevaluesstatedininch-poundunitsaretoberegarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
1.2 Thistestmethodalsoprovidesfortherunningofthelow
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
axle temperature (Canadian) L-37 test. The procedure for the
and are not considered standard.
1.3.1 Exceptions—In Table A12.1, the values stated in SI
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
units are to be regarded as standard. Also, no SI unit is
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
provided where there is not a direct SI equivalent.
Subcommittee D02.B0.03 on Automotive Gear Lubricants & Fluids.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2019. Published November 2019. Originally
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as D6121 – 19. DOI:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
10.1520/D6121-19AE01.
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Until the next revision of this test method, the ASTM Test Monitoring Center
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
(TMC) will update changes in this test method by means of Information Letters.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
This edition includes all Information Letters through No. 19-2. Information Letters
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
may be obtained from the ASTM Test Monitoring Center, 203 Armstrong Drive,
Freeport, PA 16229, Attn: Director. The TMC is also the source of reference oils. Specific warning information is given in Sections 4 and 7.
*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
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D6121 − 19a
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor- 3.1.5 chipping, n—on ring and pinion gears, a condition
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- caused in the manufacturing process in which a small irregular
ization established in the
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