ASTM D1403-02(2007)

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An American National Standard
Designation:D1403–97 Designation:D1403–02 (Reapproved 2007)
Designation: 310/84(92)
Standard Test Methods for
Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease Using One-Quarter
and One-Half Scale Cone Equipment
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1403; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval. This test method has been approved by the
sponsoring committee and accepted by the cooperating societies in accordance with established procedures.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 These test methods cover two procedures for measuring the consistency of small samples of lubricating greases by
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penetration of a ⁄4-scale cone or a ⁄2-scale cone. These test methods include procedures for the measurement of unworked and
worked penetrations.
1.2 Unworkedpenetrationsdonotgenerallyrepresenttheconsistencyofgreasesinuseaseffectivelyasdoworkedpenetrations.
The latter are usually preferred for inspecting lubricating greases.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
In the United States, the equipment dimensions stated in inches are to be regarded as the standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 217 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
D 4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum, Petroleum Products, and Lubricants
2.2 IP Energy Institute Standard:
IP 50 Method of Testing for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 lubricating greaseconsistency, n—a semi-fluid to solid product of a dispersion of a thickener in a liquid lubricant. — of
lubricating grease, the degree of resistance to movement under stress.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—The dispersion of the thickener forms a two-phase system and immobilizes the liquid lubricant by surface
tension and other physical forces. Other ingredients imparting special properties are often included. D217 —The term consis-
tency is used somewhat synonymously with penetration. Generally, consistency refers to the worked penetration of a
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-2 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D02.G on
Lubricating Grease. In the IP, this test method is under the jurisdiction of the Standardization Committee.
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 1997. Published June 1998. Originally published as D1403–56T. Last previous edition D1403–96.
ThesetestmethodsareunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD02onPetroleumProductsandLubricantsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD02.G0.02
on Consistency and Related Rheological Tests.
In the IP, this test method is under the jurisdiction of the Standardization Committee. This test method has been approved by the sponsoring committee and accepted by
the cooperating societies in accordance with established procedures.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2007. Published January 2008. Originally approved in 1956. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D 1403–02.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01.
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.02.
IPMethodsforAnalysisandTestingavailablefrom61NewCavendishSt.,London,EnglandWIM8AR.AvailablefromEnergyInstitute,61NewCavendishSt.,London,
WIG 7AR, U.K., http://www.energyinst.org.uk.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D1403–02 (2007)
grease. D 217
3.1.2 lubricant, n—any material interposed between two surfaces that reduces the friction or wear between them. D 4175
3.1.3 lubricating grease, n—a semi-fluid to solid product of a dispersion of a thickener in a liquid lubricant.
3.1.3.1 Discussion—The dispersion of the thickener forms a two-phase system and immobilizes the liquid lubricant by surface
tension and other physical forces. Other ingredients imparting special properties are often included. D 217
3.1.4 penetrometer, n—an instrument that measures the consistency or hardness of semiliquid to semisolid materials by
measuring the depth to which a specified cone or needle under a given force falls into the material.
3.1.3.1
3.1.4.1 Discussion—In these test methods, either a one-quarter scale cone (A1.1) or a one-half scale cone (A1.3) can be used
to determine the consistency of lubricating greases. The penetration forces are determined by the respective masses of the cones
and shafts.
3.1.4
3.1.5 thickener, n—in lubricating grease, a substance composed of finely divided particles dispersed in a liquid lubricant to
form the product’s structure.
3.1.4.1Discussion—The thickener can be fibers (such as various metallic soaps) or plates or spheres (such as certain non-soap
thickeners) which are insoluble or, at the most, only very slightly soluble in the liquid lubricant. The general requirements are that
the solid particles be extremely small, uniformly dispersed, and capable of forming a relatively stable, gel-like structure with the
liquid lubricant. D217
3.1.5consistency, n—of lubricating grease, the degree of resistance to movement under stress.
3.1.5.1 Discussion—The term consistency is used somewhat synonymously with penetration. Generally, consistency refers to
the worked penetration of a grease. D217 —The thickener can be fibers (such as various metallic soaps) or plates or
spheres (such as certain non-soap thickeners) which are insoluble or, at the most, only very slightly soluble in the liquid
lubricant. The general requirements are that the solid particles be extremely small, uniformly dispersed, and capable of
forming a relatively stable, gel-like structure with the liquid lubricant. D 217
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
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3.2.1 penetration, n— of lubricating grease, the depth in units of 0.1 mm that a ⁄4-scale cone or ⁄2-scale cone penetrates the
sample when released to fall under its own weight for 5 s.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—The term penetration used in these test methods is similar to that found in Test Methods D 217. Due to the
differences in scale, the terms are not synonymous and should not be confused.
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3.2.2 workingpenetrometer, v—the subjection of a lubricating grease to the shearing action of the ⁄4-scale or ⁄8-scale grease
worker. n—an instrument similar to that shown in Fig. 1 of Test Methods D 217, designed to measure the depth to which the
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⁄4-scale or the ⁄2-scale cone falls into grease.
3.2.3 unworked penetration, n—the penetration at 25°C (77°F) of a sample of lubricating grease that has received only
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minimum disturbance in transfer to a ⁄4-scale or ⁄2-scale grease worker cup or dimensionally equivalent rigid container.
3.2.4 worked penetration, n—the penetration of a sample of lubricating grease that has been brought to 25°C (77°F), subjected
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to 60 double strokes in a ⁄4-scale or ⁄2-scale grease worker, and penetrated without delay.
3.2.5 penetrometerworking, n—an instrument similar to that shown in Fig. 1 of Test Methods D217, designed to measure the
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depth to which the ⁄4-scale or the ⁄2-scale cone falls into grease. v—the subjection of a lubricating grease to the shearing action
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of the ⁄4-scale or ⁄2-scale grease worker.
4. Summary of Test Method
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4.1 The penetration is determined at 25 6 0.5°C (77 6 1°F) by releasing the ⁄4-scale or ⁄2-scale cone assembly from the
penetrometer and allowing the cone to drop freely into the grease for 5 6 0.1 s.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 These test methods are applicable to greases of National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI) consistency numbers 0 to 4
and is intended for use only where the size of the sample prevents the use of Test Methods D 217.
5.2 Actual reduced-scale penetration values are not used or reported. They are converted to full-scale penetration values (see
Sections 9 and 10). This test method is not intended to replace the full-scale penetration as described in Test Methods D 217.
Precision is better in the full-scale penetration method.
5.3 Worked penetration results, after conversion to full-scale values, may be used to establish the consistency of lubricating
greaseswithintheaboveNLGIconsistencynumbers.Theresultsobtainedfromthesetestmethodsarewidelyusedforspecification
purposes, however, no correlation with field performance has been established.
5.4 Unworked penetration results provide a means of evaluating the effect of storage conditions on grease consistency.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Penetrometer—An instrument similar to that shown in Fig. 1 of Test Methods D 217, adapted for use with the ⁄4-scale or
⁄2-scale cone.
NOTE 1—Any slight binding in the instrument may produce a significant error in penetration values. Periodic check of the release mechanism, cone
D1403–02 (2007)
dimensions, and weights of cone and its movable attachments is recommended.
6.2 ⁄4 -Scale Cone and Shaft, as specified in Annex A1.1.
6.3 ⁄4 -Scale Grease Worker, as specified in Annex A1.2.
6.4 ⁄2 -Scale Cone and Shaft, as specified in Annex A1.3.
6.5 ⁄2 -Scale Grease Worker, as specified in Annex A1.4.
6.6 Temperature Bath, either a water bath or an airbath, capable of regulating to 25 6 0.5°C (77 6 1°F) and designed to bring
theassembledgreaseworkertotesttemperatureconveniently.Ifawaterbathistobeusedforspecimensforunworkedpenetration,
means should be provided for protecting the grease surface from water and for maintaining the air above the specimen at test
temperature.
NOTE 2—A constant-temperature test room can also be used instead of the water or air bath.
6.7 Spatula, corrosion-resistant, having a stiff blade approximately 13 mm (0.5 in.) wide and convenient in length.
7. Procedure for Unworked Penetration
7.1 Sample—Sufficient sample to overfill the cup of the grease worker is required. If the penetration by ⁄4 scale is greater than
47 units or by ⁄2 scale greater than 97 units, at least three times the amount needed to fill the cup is required as only one result
can be obtained from one filling of the grease cup.
7.2 Preparing Sample for Measurement— Place the empty grease worker cup and an appropriate amount of the sample in a
container in the temperature bath maintained at 25 6 0.5°C (77 6 1°F) for sufficient time to bring the temperature of the sample
and the worker cup to 25 6 0.5°C (77 6 1°F).Transfer the sample, preferably in one lump, to overfill the cup of the grease worker.
Make this transfer in such a manner that the grease will be worked as little as possible. Jar the cup to drive out trapped air and
pack the grease with the spatula, with as little manipulation as possible to fill the cup without air pockets. Scrape off the excess
grease extending above the rim, creating a flat surface, by moving the blade of the spatula, held inclined toward the direction of
motionatanangleofapproximately45°,acrosstherimofthecup.Donotperformanyfurtherlevelingorsmoothingofthesurface
throughout the determination of unworked penetration and determine the measurement immediately.
7.3 Cleaning Cone and Shaft—Cleanthepenetrometerconecarefullybeforeeachtest.Bendingoftheconeshaftcanbeavoided
by holding it securely in its raised position while cleaning. Do not permit grease or oil on the penetrometer shaft, as they can cause
drag on the shaft assembly. Do not rotate the cone, as this can cause wear on the release mechanism.
7.4 Penetration Measurement—Place the cup on the penetrometer table, making certain that it cannot teeter. Set the mechanism
to hold the cone in the zero position of the indicator dial, and adjust the apparatus carefully so that the tip of the cone just touches
the surface at the center of the test sample.Watching the shadow of the cone tip is an aid to accurate setting. Release the cone shaft
rapidly, and allow it to drop for 5.0 6 0.1 s.The release mechanism should not drag on the shaft. Gently depress the indicator shaft
until stopped by the cone shaft and read the penetration to the nearest full unit (0.1 mm) from the indicator.
NOTE 3—If the indicator shaft is depressed with force, the penetration measurement may vary considerably.
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7.4.1 If the specimen has a penetration over 47 units by ⁄4 scale or over 97 units by ⁄2 scale, this specimen can then be used
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for only one test. If the specimen has a penetration of 47 units or less by ⁄4 scale or 97 units or less by ⁄2 scale, perform three
tests in a single cup spacing these tests on three radii approximately 120° apart and approximately midway between the center and
side of the cup so that the cone will neither strike the side of the cup nor impinge on the disturbed area made in a previous test.
Center the cone carefully in the container and proceed as in 7.4.
7.5 Additional Testing—Make a total of three tests on the specimen (either in three cups or in one, as described in 7.4), and
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report the average value, to the nearest 0.1 mm, as the ⁄4-scale or ⁄2-scale unworked penetration of the sample.
8. Procedure for Worked Penetration
8.1 Sample—Sufficient sample to overfill the cup of the appropriate grease worker is required.
8.2 Working—Transfer sufficient specimen to the cup of the clean grease worker to fill it heaping full, mounded up about 7 mm
(0.25 in.) at the center, avoiding the inclusion of air by packing with the spatula. Jar the cup from time to time as it is being packed
to remove any air inadvertently entrapped.Assemble the worker and, with the vent cock open, depress the plunger to the bottom.
Close the vent cock and place the assembled worker in the temperature bath maintained at 25 6 0.5°C (77 6 1°F) until the
temperature of the worker and contents are at 25 6 0.5°C (77 6 1°F). Then remove the worker fro
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