ASTM D217-97
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
Standard Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover four procedures for measuring the consistency of lubricating greases by the penetration of a cone of specified dimensions, mass, and finish. The penetration is measured in tenths of a millimetre. Note 1-The National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI) classified greases according to their consistency as measured by the worked penetration. The classification system is as follows: NLGI Consistency Number Worked Penetration Range, 25°C (77°F) 000 00 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 445 to 475 400 to 430 355 to 385 310 to 340 265 to 295 220 to 250 175 to 205 130 to 160 85 to 115
1.1.1 The procedures for unworked, worked, and prolonged worked penetration are applicable to greases having penetrations between 85 and 475, that is, to greases with consistency numbers between NLGI 6 and NLGI 000. An undisturbed penetration test, described in X1, is similar to the unworked penetration test.
1.1.2 The block penetration procedure is applicable to greases that are sufficiently hard to hold their shape. Such greases usually have penetrations below eighty-five tenths of a millimetre.
1.2 None of the four procedures is considered suitable for the measurement of the consistency of petrolatums by penetration. Test Method D937 should be used for such products.
1.3 The dimensions of the equipment described in these test methods are given in inches and fractions of an inch. These units were retained because a vast body of data has been obtained using equipment with the dimensions shown. Metric equivalency tables are provided with each figure. Temperatures and other dimensions are given in the preferred SI units; the values shown in parentheses are provided for information.
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.
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Designation: D 217 – 97
Designation: 50/88
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Methods for
1
Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 217; 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.
These test methods were adopted as a joint ASTM-IP standard in 1969.
These test methods have been adopted for use by government agencies to replace Method 311 of Federal Test Method Standard No. 791
b.
1. Scope obtained using equipment with the dimensions shown. Metric
equivalency tables are provided with each figure. Temperatures
1.1 These test methods cover four procedures for measuring
and other dimensions are given in the preferred SI units; the
the consistency of lubricating greases by the penetration of a
values shown in parentheses are provided for information.
cone of specified dimensions, mass, and finish. The penetration
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
is measured in tenths of a millimetre.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
2
NOTE 1—The National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI) classified
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
greases according to their consistency as measured by the worked
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
penetration. The classification system is as follows:
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
NLGI Worked Penetration Range,
Consistency Number 25°C (77°F)
2. Referenced Documents
000 445 to 475
00 400 to 430
2.1 ASTM Standards:
0 355 to 385
3
D 937 Test Method for Cone Penetration of Petrolatum
1 310 to 340
2 265 to 295 D 1403 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating
3 220 to 250
Grease Using One-Quarter and One-Half Scale Cone
4 175 to 205
3
Equipment
5 130 to 160
6 85to115
3. Terminology
1.1.1 The procedures for unworked, worked, and prolonged
3.1 Definitions:
worked penetration are applicable to greases having penetra-
3.1.1 lubricating grease, n—a semi-fluid to solid product of
tions between 85 and 475, that is, to greases with consistency
a dispersion of a thickener in a liquid lubricant.
numbers between NLGI 6 and NLGI 000. An undisturbed
3.1.1.1 Discussion—The dispersion of the thickener forms a
penetration test, described in X1, is similar to the unworked
two-phase system and immobilizes the liquid lubricant by
penetration test.
surface tension and other physical forces. Other ingredients are
1.1.2 The block penetration procedure is applicable to
commonly included to impart special properties.
greases that are sufficiently hard to hold their shape. Such
3.1.2 penetrometer, n—an instrument that measures the
greases usually have penetrations below eighty-five tenths of a
consistency or hardness of semiliquid to semisolid materials by
millimetre.
measuring the depth to which a specified cone or needle under
1.2 None of the four procedures is considered suitable for
a given force falls into the material.
the measurement of the consistency of petrolatums by penetra-
3.1.2.1 Discussion—In this test method, either a standard
tion. Test Method D 937 should be used for such products.
penetrometer 6.2 or an optional penetrometer cone A1.3 can be
1.3 The dimensions of the equipment described in these test
used to determine the consistency of lubricating greases. The
methods are given in inches and fractions of an inch. These
penetration force is determined by the mass of the cone and the
units were retained because a vast body of data has been
shaft.
3.1.3 thickener, n—in lubricating grease, a substance com-
1
These test methods are the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-2 on Petroleum
posed of finely divided particles dispersed in a liquid lubricant
Products and Lubricants and the IP Standardization Committee and are the direct
to form the product’s structure.
responsibility of Subcommittee D02.G on Lubricating Grease.
3.1.3.1 Discussion—The thickener can be fibers (such as
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 1997. Published September 1998. Originally
published as D 217 – 25 T. Last previous edition D 217 – 94.
2
National Lubricating Grease Institute, 4635 Wyandotte St., Kansas City, MO
3
64112-1596. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01.
1
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NOTICE:¬This¬standard¬has¬either¬been¬superceded¬and¬replaced¬by¬a¬new¬version¬or¬discontinued.¬
Contact¬ASTM¬International¬(www.astm.org)¬for¬the¬latest¬information.¬
D 217
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