ASTM_D_1404_-_D_1404M_-_99_2014.pdf

Designation:D1404/D1404M99(Reapproved 2014)Standard Test Method forEstimation of Deleterious Particles in Lubricating Grease1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1404/D1404M;the number immediately following the designation indicates theyear of original adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of lastreapproval.A superscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers a procedure for the detectionand estimation of deleterious particles in lubricating grease.1.2 This test method is applicable to all lubricating greases.It can also be used to test other semi-solid or viscous materials.Grease fillers,such as graphite and molybdenum disulfide,canbe tested for abrasive contaminants by first mixing them intopetrolatum or grease known to be free of deleterious particles.1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound unitsare to be regarded separately as standard.The values stated ineach system may not be exact equivalents;therefore,eachsystem shall be used independently of the other.Combiningvalues from the two systems may result in non-conformancewith the standard.Within the text,the SI units are shown inbrackets.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.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D235 Specification for Mineral Spirits(Petroleum Spirits)(Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaning Solvent)D785 Test Method for Rockwell Hardness of Plastics andElectrical Insulating MaterialsD4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum,PetroleumProducts,and Lubricants3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsSee Terminology D4175.3.2 Definitions:3.2.1 lubricant,nany material interposed between twosurfaces that reduces the friction or wear between them.3.2.2 lubricating grease,na semi-fluid to solid product ofa dispersion of a thickener in a liquid lubricant.3.2.2.1 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.3.2.3 thickener,nin lubricating grease,a substance com-posed of finely-divided particles dispersed in a liquid lubricantto form the products structure.3.2.3.1 DiscussionThe solid thickener can be fibers(suchas various metallic soaps)or plates or spheres(such as certainnon-soap thickeners),which are insoluble or,at the most,onlyvery slightly soluble in the liquid lubricant.The generalrequirements are that the solid particles be extremely small,uniformly dispersed,and capable of forming a relatively stable,gel-like structure with the liquid lubricant.3.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.3.1 deleterious particles,nin lubricating grease,minutebits of solid material present as a contaminant and abrasive toacrylic plastic.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 A small portion of the lubricating grease sample isplaced between two clean,highly polished acrylic-plasticplates held rigidly and parallel in metal holders.A pressure of200 psi 1.38 MPa is applied,and one plate is rotated 30relative to the other.Particles harder than the plastic andexceeding in size the distance between the plates will imbed inthe plates and cause characteristic,arc-shaped scratches in theplates.4.2 The relative number of such solid particles can beestimated by counting the total number of arc-shaped scratcheson the two plates.5.Significance and Use5.1 The significance of the number of scratches as far ascorrelation with field performance is concerned has not beenestablished.A particle which is abrasive to plastic will notnecessarily be abrasive to steel or other bearing materials.Some correlation was obtained in that the contaminant used in1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 onPetroleum Products,Liquid Fuels,and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee D02.G0.01 on Chemical and General Laboratory Tests.Current edition approved Oct.1,2014.Published November 2014.Originallyapproved in 1956.Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D1404/D1404M 99(2008).DOI:10.1520/D1404_D1404M-99R14.2For 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 Sample 3(see 10.1.1)had a greater wear rate in a laboratoryball bearing abrasive wear test than the contaminant in Sample2.NOTE1The number of scratches obtained cannot be used to draw finedifferences between greases,but rather,to group them into two or threegene