ASTM_D_566_-_02_2009.pdf

Designation:D56602(Reapproved 2009)British Standard 2877Standard Test Method forDropping Point of Lubricating Grease1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D566;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript 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.Scope1.1 This test method covers the determination of the drop-ping point of lubricating grease.1.2 This test method is not recommended for use at bathtemperatures above 288C.For higher temperatures TestMethod D2265 should be used.1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.For specific hazardstatements,see 6.4 and 8.1.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D217 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of LubricatingGreaseD235 Specification for Mineral Spirits(Petroleum Spirits)(Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaning Solvent)D2265 Test Method for Dropping Point of LubricatingGrease Over Wide Temperature RangeE1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 lubricating grease,na semi-fluid to solid product ofa thickener in a liquid lubricant.3.1.1.1 DiscussionThe dispersion of the thickner forms atwo-phase system and immobilizes the liquid lubricant bysurface tension and other physical forces.Other ingredients arecommonly included to impart special properties.D2173.1.2 thickener,nin lubricating grease,a substance com-posed of finely-divided particles dispersed in a liquid to formthe products structure.3.1.2.1 DiscussionThickeners can be fibers(such as vari-ous metallic soaps)or plates or spheres(such as certainnon-soaps thickeners),which are insoluble or,at most,onlyvery slightly soluble in the liquid lubricant.The generalrequirements are that the solid particles are extremely small,uniformly dispersed and capable of forming a relatively stable,gel-like structure with the liquid lubricant.D2173.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 dropping point,na numerical value assigned to agrease composition representing the temperature at which thefirst drop of material falls from the test cup;that temperaturebeing the average of the thermometer readings of the sampleand bath.3.2.1.1 DiscussionIn the normal and proper operation ofthis test method the temperature of the interior of the greasetest cup and the temperature of the oil bath are monitoredsimultaneously as the bath is heated.When the first drop ofmaterial falls from the cup,the temperature of the grease testcup and the bath temperature are averaged and recorded as theresult of the test.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 A sample of lubricating grease contained in a cupsuspended in a test tube is heated in an oil bath at a prescribedrate.The temperature at which material falls from the hole inthe bottom of the cup is averaged with the temperature of theoil bath and recorded as the dropping point of the grease.5.Significance and Use5.1 In general,the dropping point is the temperature atwhich the grease passes from a semisolid to a liquid state underthe conditions of test.This change in state is typical of greasescontaining as thickeners soaps of conventional types.Greases1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 onPetroleum Products,Liquid Fuels,and Lubricantsand is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee D02.G0.03 on Physical Tests.Current edition approved April 15,2009.Published July 2009.Originallyapproved in 1940.Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D56602.DOI:10.1520/D0566-02R09.In the IP,this test method is under the jurisdiction of the StandardizationCommittee.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 replaceMethod 1421 of Federal Test Method Standard No.791b.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 containing as thickeners materials other than conventionalsoaps can,without change in state,separate oil.This testmethod is useful to assist in identifying the grease as to typeand for establishing and maintaining bench marks for qualitycontrol.The results are considered to have only limitedsignificance with respect