ASTM D566-16
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Dropping Point of Lubricating Grease
Standard Test Method for Dropping Point of Lubricating Grease
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 In general, the dropping point is the temperature at which the grease passes from a semisolid to a liquid state under the conditions of test. This change in state is typical of greases containing as thickeners soaps of conventional types. Greases containing as thickeners materials other than conventional soaps can, without change in state, separate oil. This test method is useful to assist in identifying the grease as to type and for establishing and maintaining bench marks for quality control. The results are considered to have only limited significance with respect to service performance as dropping point is a static test.
Note 1: Cooperative testing indicates that in general, dropping points by Test Method D5663 and Test Method D2265 are in agreement. In cases where results differ, there is no known significance. However, agreement between producer and consumer as to the test method used is advisable.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the dropping point of lubricating grease.
1.2 This test method is not recommended for use at bath temperatures above 288 °C. For higher temperatures Test Method D2265 should be used.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 WARNING—This test method uses mercury-filled thermometers. Mercury has been designated by many regulatory agencies as a hazardous material that can cause central nervous system, kidney and liver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should be taken when handling mercury and mercury containing products. See the applicable product Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for details and EPA’s website— http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm—for additional information. Users should be aware that selling mercury and/or mercury containing products into your state or country may be prohibited by law. The responsible subcommittee, D02.G.3, continues to explore alternatives to eventually replace the mercury thermometers.
1.5 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. For specific hazard statements, see 6.4 and 8.1.
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Designation: D566 − 16 British Standard 2877
Standard Test Method for
1
Dropping Point of Lubricating Grease
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D566; 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* 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the drop-
D217 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating
ping point of lubricating grease.
Grease
1.2 This test method is not recommended for use at bath
D235 Specification for Mineral Spirits (Petroleum Spirits)
temperatures above 288 °C. For higher temperatures Test
(Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaning Solvent)
Method D2265 should be used.
D2265 Test Method for Dropping Point of Lubricating
Grease Over Wide Temperature Range
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
3. Terminology
1.4 WARNING—This test method uses mercury-filled 3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 lubricating grease, n—a semi-fluid to solid product of
thermometers. Mercury has been designated by many regula-
a thickener in a liquid lubricant.
tory agencies as a hazardous material that can cause central
3.1.1.1 Discussion—The dispersion of the thickener forms a
nervous system, kidney and liver damage. Mercury, or its
two-phase system and immobilizes the liquid lubricant by
vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials.
surface tension and other physical forces. Other ingredients are
Caution should be taken when handling mercury and mercury
commonly included to impart special properties. D217
containing products. See the applicable product Safety Data
Sheet (SDS) for details and EPA’s website— http:// 3.1.2 thickener, n—in lubricating grease, a substance com-
www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm—for additional information. posed of finely-divided particles dispersed in a liquid to form
the product’s structure.
Users should be aware that selling mercury and/or mercury
3.1.2.1 Discussion—Thickeners can be fibers (such as vari-
containing products into your state or country may be prohib-
ous metallic soaps) or plates or spheres (such as certain
itedbylaw.Theresponsiblesubcommittee,D02.G.3,continues
non-soaps thickeners), which are insoluble or, at most, only
to explore alternatives to eventually replace the mercury
very slightly soluble in the liquid lubricant. The general
thermometers.
requirements are that the solid particles are extremely small,
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
uniformly dispersed and capable of forming a relatively stable,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
gel-like structure with the liquid lubricant. D217
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.2.1 dropping point, n—a numerical value assigned to a
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
grease composition representing the temperature at which the
statements, see 6.4 and 8.1.
first drop of material falls from the test cup; that temperature
being the average of the thermometer readings of the sample
and bath.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
3.2.1.1 Discussion—In the normal and proper operation of
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricantsand is the direct responsibility of
this test method the temperature of the interior of the grease
Subcommittee D02.G0.03 on Physical Tests.
test cup and the temperature of the oil bath are monitored
Current edition approved April 1, 2016. Published May 2016. Originally
approved in 1940. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D566 – 02 (2009).
DOI: 10.1520/D0566-16.
2
In the IP, this test method is under the jurisdiction of the Standardization For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Committee. This test method was adopted as a joint ASTM-IP standard in 1964. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
This test method has been adopted for use by government agencies to replace Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Method 1421 of Federal Test Method Standard No. 791b. the ASTM website.
*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
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D566 − 02 (Reapproved 2009) D566 − 16 British Standard 2877
Standard Test Method for
1
Dropping Point of Lubricating Grease
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D566; 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 Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the dropping point of lubricating grease.
1.2 This test method is not recommended for use at bath temperatures above 288°C.288 °C. For higher temperatures Test
Method D2265 should be used.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 WARNING—This test method uses mercury-filled thermometers. Mercury has been designated by many regulatory
agencies as a hazardous material that can cause central nervous system, kidney and liver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may be
hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should be taken when handling mercury and mercury containing products.
See the applicable product Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for details and EPA’s website— http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm—for
additional information. Users should be aware that selling mercury and/or mercury containing products into your state or country
may be prohibited by law. The responsible subcommittee, D02.G.3, continues to explore alternatives to eventually replace the
mercury thermometers.
1.5 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. For specific hazard statements, see 6.4 and 8.1.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D217 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
D235 Specification for Mineral Spirits (Petroleum Spirits) (Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaning Solvent)
D2265 Test Method for Dropping Point of Lubricating Grease Over Wide Temperature Range
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 lubricating grease, n—a semi-fluid to solid product of a thickener in a liquid lubricant.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricantsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.G0.03 on Physical Tests.
Current edition approved April 15, 2009April 1, 2016. Published July 2009May 2016. Originally approved in 1940. Last previous edition approved in 20022009 as
D566D566 – 02 (2009).–02. DOI: 10.1520/D0566-02R09.10.1520/D0566-16.
In the IP, this test method is under the jurisdiction of the Standardization Committee. This test method was adopted as a joint ASTM-IP standard in 1964.
This test method has been adopted for use by government agencies to replace Method 1421 of Federal Test Method Standard No. 791b.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—
The dispersion of the thicknerthickener forms a two-phase system and immobilizes the liquid lubricant by surface tension and other
physical forces. Other ingredients are commonly included to impart special properties. D217
3.1.2 thickener, n—in lubricating grease, a substance composed of finely-divided particles dispersed in a liquid to form the
product’s structure.
*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
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D566 − 16
3.1.2.1 Discussion—
Thickeners can be fibers (such as various metallic soaps) or plates or spheres (such as certain non-soaps thickeners), which are
insoluble or, at most, only very slightly soluble in the liquid lubricant. The general requirements are that the solid particles are
extremely small, uniformly dispersed and capable of forming a relatively stable, gel-like structure with the liquid lubricant. D217
3.2 Definitions of Terms Sp
...
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