ASTM D217-19

Standard Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 These cone penetration tests not only evaluate the consistency of lubricating greases over the full range of NLGI numbers from 000 to 6, but also evaluate the consistency of stiff greases having penetration numbers less than 85. In contrast, Test Method D937 is aimed at petrolatums and Test Method D1403 uses less precise 1/4 and 1/2-scale equipment intended for use when the sample quantity is limited.  
5.2 Cone penetration test results provide one measure of the consistency of a grease. Worked penetration results are required to determine to which NLGI consistency grade a grease belongs. Undisturbed penetration results provide a means of evaluating the effect of storage conditions on grease consistency.  
5.3 Although no correlation has been developed between cone penetration results and field service, the cone penetrations obtained by the four procedures are widely used for specification purposes, such as in users' material specifications and suppliers' manufacturing specifications.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover four procedures for measuring the consistency of lubricating greases by the penetration of a cone of specified dimensions, mass, and finish. The penetration is measured in tenths of a millimetre.  
Note 1: The National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI)2 classified greases according to their consistency as measured by the worked penetration. The classification system is as follows:    
NLGI
Consistency Number  
Worked Penetration Range,
25 °C (77 °F)  
000  
445 to 475  
00  
400 to 430  
0  
355 to 385  
1  
310 to 340  
2  
265 to 295  
3  
220 to 250  
4  
175 to 205  
5  
130 to 160  
6  
85 to 115  
1.1.1 The procedures for unworked, worked, and prolonged worked penetration are applicable to greases having penetrations between 85 and 475, that is, to greases with consistency numbers between NLGI 6 and NLGI 000. An undisturbed penetration test, described in Appendix X1, is similar to the unworked penetration test.  
1.1.2 The block penetration procedure is applicable to greases that are sufficiently hard to hold their shape. Such greases usually have penetrations below eighty-five tenths of a millimetre.  
1.1.3 Unworked penetrations do not generally represent the consistency of greases in use as effectively as do worked penetrations. The latter are usually preferred for inspecting lubricating greases.  
1.2 None of the four procedures is considered suitable for the measurement of the consistency of petrolatums by penetration. Test Method D937 should be used for such products.  
1.3 The dimensions of the equipment described in these test methods are given in SI units as the primary unit of measure with equivalent imperial units as accetpable alternatives where applicable. In cases where equivalent SI conversions are not known, notes are added for clarification. Temperatures and other dimensions are given in the preferred SI units; the values shown in parentheses are provided for information.  
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.  
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: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2019
• ICS: 75.100 - Lubricants, industrial oils and related products
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.G0.02 - Consistency and Related Rheological Tests

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D217-17 - Standard Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Replaced By: ASTM D217-19a - Standard Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D7421-19 - Standard Test Method for Determining Extreme Pressure Properties of Lubricating Oils Using High-Frequency, Linear-Oscillation (SRV) Test Machine
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D8022-20 - Standard Test Method for Roll Stability of Lubricating Grease in Presence of Water (Wet Roll Stability Test)
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Referred By: ASTM C990M-09(2019) - Standard Specification for Joints for Concrete Pipe, Manholes, and Precast Box Sections Using Preformed Flexible Joint Sealants (Metric)
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D1831-21 - Standard Test Method for Roll Stability of Lubricating Grease
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D1321-16a - Standard Test Method for Needle Penetration of Petroleum Waxes
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D128-98(2019) - Standard Test Methods for Analysis of Lubricating Grease
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D4693-07(2021) - Standard Test Method for Low-Temperature Torque of Grease-Lubricated Wheel Bearings
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D4732-13(2020) - Standard Specification for Cool-Application Filling Compounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D4950-22 - Standard Classification and Specification for Automotive Service Greases
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D7420-18 - Standard Test Method for Determining Tribomechanical Properties of Grease Lubricated Plastic Socket Suspension Joints Using a High-Frequency, Linear-Oscillation (SRV) Test Machine
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D7342-20 - Standard Test Method for Prolonged Worked Stability of Lubricating Grease in Presence of Water (Water Stability Test)
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D2265-22 - Standard Test Method for Dropping Point of Lubricating Grease Over Wide Temperature Range
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D4057-22 - Standard Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019

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: D217 − 19
Designation: 50/88
Standard Test Methods for
1
Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D217; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 1.2 None of the four procedures is considered suitable for
the measurement of the consistency of petrolatums by penetra-
1.1 Thesetestmethodscoverfourproceduresformeasuring
tion. Test Method D937 should be used for such products.
the consistency of lubricating greases by the penetration of a
coneofspecifieddimensions,mass,andfinish.Thepenetration 1.3 Thedimensionsoftheequipmentdescribedinthesetest
is measured in tenths of a millimetre. methods are given in SI units as the primary unit of measure
with equivalent imperial units as accetpable alternatives where
2
NOTE 1—The National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI) classified
applicable. In cases where equivalent SI conversions are not
greases according to their consistency as measured by the worked
known, notes are added for clarification. Temperatures and
penetration. The classification system is as follows:
other dimensions are given in the preferred SI units; the values
NLGI Worked Penetration Range,
Consistency Number 25 °C (77 °F)
shown in parentheses are provided for information.
000 445 to 475
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
00 400 to 430
0 355 to 385
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1 310 to 340
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
2 265 to 295
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3 220 to 250
4 175 to 205
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5 130 to 160
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
6 85to115
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1.1 The procedures for unworked, worked, and prolonged
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
worked penetration are applicable to greases having penetra-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
tions between 85 and 475, that is, to greases with consistency
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
numbers between NLGI 6 and NLGI 000. An undisturbed
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
penetration test, described in Appendix X1, is similar to the
unworked penetration test.
2. Referenced Documents
1.1.2 The block penetration procedure is applicable to
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
greases that are sufficiently hard to hold their shape. Such
D937Test Method for Cone Penetration of Petrolatum
greases usually have penetrations below eighty-five tenths of a
D1403Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating
millimetre.
Grease Using One-Quarter and One-Half Scale Cone
1.1.3 Unworked penetrations do not generally represent the
Equipment
consistency of greases in use as effectively as do worked
D4175Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid
penetrations. The latter are usually preferred for inspecting
Fuels, and Lubricants
lubricating greases.
3. Terminology
1 3.1 Definitions:
ThesetestmethodsarethejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD02onPetroleum
Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and are the direct responsibility of
3.1.1 consistency, n—of lubricating grease, the degree of
Subcommittee D02.G0.02 on Consistency and Related Rheological Tests. In the IP,
resistance to movement under stress.
these test methods are under the jurisdiction of the Standardization Committee.
These test methods were adopted as a joint ASTM-IP standard in 1969.
CurrenteditionapprovedMay1,2019.PublishedJuly2019.Originallyapproved
3
in 1925. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D217 – 17. DOI: 10.1520/ For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
D0217-19. contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
2
National Lubricating Grease Institute, 4635 Wyandotte St., Kansas City, MO Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
64112-1596. 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 States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D217 − 19
3.1.1.1 Discussion—Thetermconsistencyisusedsomewhat
synonymously with penetration. Generally, consistency refers
to the worked penetration of a grease.
3.1.2 lubricant, n—any material interposed between two
surfacesthatreducesthefrict
...

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: D217 − 17 D217 − 19
Designation: 50/88
Standard Test Methods for
1
Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D217; 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*
1.1 These test methods cover four procedures for measuring the consistency of lubricating greases by the penetration of a cone
of specified dimensions, mass, and finish. The penetration is measured in tenths of a millimetre.
2
NOTE 1—The National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI) classified greases according to their consistency as measured by the worked penetration.
The classification system is as follows:
NLGI Worked Penetration Range,
Consistency Number 25 °C (77 °F)
000 445 to 475
00 400 to 430
0 355 to 385
1 310 to 340
2 265 to 295
3 220 to 250
4 175 to 205
5 130 to 160
6 85 to 115
1.1.1 The procedures for unworked, worked, and prolonged worked penetration are applicable to greases having penetrations
between 85 and 475, that is, to greases with consistency numbers between NLGI 6 and NLGI 000. An undisturbed penetration test,
described in Appendix X1, is similar to the unworked penetration test.
1.1.2 The block penetration procedure is applicable to greases that are sufficiently hard to hold their shape. Such greases usually
have penetrations below eighty-five tenths of a millimetre.
1.1.3 Unworked penetrations do not generally represent the consistency of greases in use as effectively as do worked
penetrations. The latter are usually preferred for inspecting lubricating greases.
1.2 None of the four procedures is considered suitable for the measurement of the consistency of petrolatums by penetration.
Test Method D937 should be used for such products.
1.3 The dimensions of the equipment described in these test methods are given in SI units as the primary unit of measure with
equivalent imperial units as accetpable alternatives where applicable. In cases where equivalent SI conversions are not known,
notes are added for clarification. Temperatures and other dimensions are given in the preferred SI units; the values shown in
parentheses are provided for information.
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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.
1
These test methods are the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.G0.02 on Consistency and Related Rheological Tests. In the IP, these test methods are under the jurisdiction of the Standardization Committee. These test methods were
adopted as a joint ASTM-IP standard in 1969.
Current edition approved May 1, 2017May 1, 2019. Published June 2017July 2019. Originally approved in 1925. Last previous edition approved in 20162017 as D217
– 16.17. DOI: 10.1520/D0217-17.10.1520/D0217-19.
2
National Lubricating Grease Institute, 4635 Wyandotte St., Kansas City, MO 64112-1596.
*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 ----------------------
D217 − 19
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D937 Test Method for Cone Penetration of Petrolatum
D1403 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease Using One-Quarter and One-Half Scale Cone Equipment
D4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 consistency, n—of lubricating grease, the degree of resistance to movement under stress.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer S
...