ASTM_D_217_-_10.pdf

Designation:D21710Designation:50/88Standard Test Methods forCone Penetration of Lubricating Grease1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D217;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 These test methods cover four procedures for measuringthe consistency of lubricating greases by the penetration of acone of specified dimensions,mass,and finish.The penetrationis measured in tenths of a millimetre.NOTE1The National Lubricating Grease Institute(NLGI)2classifiedgreases according to their consistency as measured by the workedpenetration.The classification system is as follows:NLGIConsistency NumberWorked Penetration Range,25C(77F)000445 to 47500400 to 4300355 to 3851310 to 3402265 to 2953220 to 2504175 to 2055130 to 160685 to 1151.1.1 The procedures for unworked,worked,and prolongedworked penetration are applicable to greases having penetra-tions between 85 and 475,that is,to greases with consistencynumbers between NLGI 6 and NLGI 000.An undisturbedpenetration test,described in Appendix X1,is similar to theunworked penetration test.1.1.2 The block penetration procedure is applicable togreases that are sufficiently hard to hold their shape.Suchgreases usually have penetrations below eighty-five tenths of amillimetre.1.1.3 Unworked penetrations do not generally represent theconsistency of greases in use as effectively as do workedpenetrations.The latter are usually preferred for inspectinglubricating greases.1.2 None of the four procedures is considered suitable forthe measurement of the consistency of petrolatums by penetra-tion.Test Method D937 should be used for such products.1.3 The dimensions of the equipment described in these testmethods are given in inches and fractions of an inch.Theseunits were retained because a vast body of data has beenobtained using equipment with the dimensions shown.Metricequivalency tables are provided with each figure.Temperaturesand other dimensions are given in the preferred SI units;thevalues shown in parentheses are provided for information.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:3D937 Test Method for Cone Penetration of PetrolatumD1403 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of LubricatingGrease Using One-Quarter and One-Half Scale ConeEquipment3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 consistency,nof lubricating grease,the degree ofresistance to movement under stress.3.1.1.1 DiscussionThe term consistency is used somewhatsynonymously with penetration.Generally,consistency refersto the worked penetration of a grease.3.1.2 lubricant,nany material interposed between twosurfaces that reduces the friction or wear between them.3.1.3 lubricating grease,na semi-fluid to solid product ofa dispersion of a thickener in a liquid lubricant.1These test methods are the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D02 on PetroleumProducts and Lubricants and are the direct responsibility of SubcommitteeD02.G0.02 on Consistency and Related Rheological Tests.In the IP,these testmethods are under the jurisdiction of the Standardization Committee.These testmethods were adopted as a joint ASTM-IP standard in 1969.Current edition approved May 1,2010.Published June 2010.Originallyapproved in 1925.Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D21702(2007).DOI:10.1520/D0217-10.2National Lubricating Grease Institute,4635 Wyandotte St.,Kansas City,MO64112-1596.3For 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 States1 3.1.3.1 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.3.1.4 penetrometer,nan instrument that measures theconsistency or hardness of semiliquid to semisolid materials bymeasuring the depth to which a specified cone or needle undera given force falls into the material.3.1.4.1 DiscussionIn this test method,either a standardpenetrometer 6.2 or an optional penetrometer cone A1.3 can beused to determine the consistency of lubricating greases.Thepenetration force is determined by the m