ASTM_D_4172_-_94_2010.pdf

Designation:D417294(Reapproved 2010)Standard Test Method forWear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Fluid(Four-Ball Method)1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4172;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 a procedure for making apreliminary evaluation of the anti-wear properties of fluidlubricants in sliding contact by means of the Four-Ball WearTest Machine.Evaluation of lubricating grease using the samemachine is detailed in Test Method D2266.1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as thestandard.The values given in parentheses are for informationonly.1.3 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.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D2266 Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics ofLubricating Grease(Four-Ball Method)2.2 ANSI Standard:3B3.12 Specification for Metal Balls3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 lubricant,nany material interposed between twosurfaces that reduces the friction or wear between them.3.1.2 wear,ndamage to a solid surface,generally involv-ing progressive loss of material due to relative motion betweenthat surface and a contacting substance or surface.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 Three 12.7-mm 12-in.diameter steel balls are clampedtogether and covered with the lubricant to be evaluated.Afourth 12.7-mm diameter steel ball,referred to as the top ball,is pressed with a force of 147 or 392 N 15 or 40 kgf into thecavity formed by the three clamped balls for three-pointcontact.The temperature of the test lubricant is regulated at75C 167F and then the top ball is rotated at 1200 rpm for60 min.Lubricants are compared by using the average size ofthe scar diameters worn on the three lower clamped balls.NOTE1Because of differences in the construction of the variousmachines on which the four-ball test can be made,the manufacturersinstructions should be consulted for proper machine set up and operation.NOTE2Although the test can be run under other parameters,theprecision noted in Section 10 may vary.No aqueous fluid was included inthe round-robin to establish the precision limits.5.Significance and Use5.1 This test method can be used to determine the relativewear preventive properties of lubricating fluids in slidingcontact under the prescribed test conditions.No attempt hasbeen made to correlate this test with balls in rolling contact.The user of this test method should determine to his ownsatisfaction whether results of this test procedure correlate withfield performance or other bench test machines.6.Apparatus6.1 Four-Ball Wear Test Machine4See Figs.1-3.NOTE3It is important to distinguish between the Four-Ball E.P.andthe Four-Ball Wear Test Machines.The Four-Ball E.P.Test Machine isdesigned for testing under heavier loads and lacks the sensitivity necessaryfor wear tests.6.2 Microscope,4capable of measuring the diameters of thescars produced on the three stationary balls to an accuracy of1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 onPetroleum Products,Liquid Fuels,and Lubricantsand is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee D02.L0.11 on Tribiological Properties of Industrial Fluids andLubricates.Current edition approved May 1,2010.Published May 2010.Originallyapproved in 1982.Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D4172 94(2004)E1.DOI:10.1520/D4172-94R10.2For 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.3Available from American National Standards Institute(ANSI),25 W.43rd St.,4th Floor,New York,NY 10036,http:/www.ansi.org.4The Four-Ball Wear Test Machine and the Falex Model#6,Multi-SpecimenFriction and Wear Test Machine,both made by Falex Corp.,1020 Airpark Drive,Sugar Grove,IL60554,have been found satisfactory for this purpose.This companycan also furnish a microscope with a special base to measure the wear scars withoutremoving the balls from the test-oil cup.Discontinued models of the Four-Ball WearTest Machine made by Precision Scientific Co.and Roxana Machine Works are alsosatisfactory.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 0.01 mm.It is more efficient to measure the scars withoutremoving the three balls from the holder.7.Materials7.1 Test Balls,5chrome alloy steel,made fr