ASTM_D_566_-_20.pdf

Designation:D56620British 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.Scope*1.1 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 288 C.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 WARNINGThe dropping point does not have anybearing on the performance of the grease.1.5 WARNINGThis test method uses mercury-filledthermometers.Mercury has been designated by many regula-tory agencies as a hazardous substance that can cause seriousmedical issues.Mercury,or its vapor,has been demonstrated tobe hazardous to health and corrosive to materials.Use Cautionwhen handling mercury and mercury-containing products.Seethe applicable product Safety Data Sheet(SDS)for additionalinformation.The potential exists that selling mercury ormercury-containing products,or both,is prohibited by local ornational law.Users must determine legality of sales in theirlocation.The responsible subcommittee,D02.G.3,continues toexplore alternatives to eventually replace the mercury ther-mometers.1.6 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,health,and environmental practices and deter-mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.For specific hazard statements,see 6.4 and 8.1.1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-ization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recom-mendations issued by the World Trade Organization TechnicalBarriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.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 thickener 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 the1This 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 May 1,2020.Published June 2020.Originallyapproved in 1940.Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D566 17.DOI:10.1520/D0566-20.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.*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standardCopyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United StatesThis international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recommendations issued