ASTM D217-02

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An American National Standard
Designation:D217–02
Designation: 50/88
Standard Test Methods for
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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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope 1.3 The dimensions of the equipment described in these test
methods are given in inches and fractions of an inch. These
1.1 These test methods cover four procedures for measuring
units were retained because a vast body of data has been
the consistency of lubricating greases by the penetration of a
obtained using equipment with the dimensions shown. Metric
cone of specified dimensions, mass, and finish.The penetration
equivalency tables are provided with each figure.Temperatures
is measured in tenths of a millimetre.
and other dimensions are given in the preferred SI units; the
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NOTE 1—The National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI) classified
values shown in parentheses are provided for information.
greases according to their consistency as measured by the worked
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
penetration. The classification system is as follows:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
NLGI Worked Penetration Range,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Consistency Number 25°C (77°F)
000 445 to 475
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
00 400 to 430
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
0 355 to 385
1 310 to 340
2. Referenced Documents
2 265 to 295
3 220 to 250
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4 175 to 205
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D 937 Test Method for Cone Penetration of Petrolatum
5 130 to 160
6 85to115 D 1403 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating
Grease Using One-Quarter and One-Half Scale Cone
1.1.1 The procedures for unworked, worked, and prolonged
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Equipment
worked penetration are applicable to greases having penetra-
tions between 85 and 475, that is, to greases with consistency
3. Terminology
numbers between NLGI 6 and NLGI 000. An undisturbed
3.1 Definitions:
penetration test, described in Appendix X1, is similar to the
3.1.1 consistency, n—of lubricating grease, the degree of
unworked penetration test.
resistance to movement under stress.
1.1.2 The block penetration procedure is applicable to
3.1.1.1 Discussion—The term consistency is used some-
greases that are sufficiently hard to hold their shape. Such
what synonymously with penetration. Generally, consistency
greases usually have penetrations below eighty-five tenths of a
refers to the worked penetration of a grease.
millimetre.
3.1.2 lubricant, n—any material interposed between two
1.2 None of the four procedures is considered suitable for
surfaces that reduces the friction or wear between them.
the measurement of the consistency of petrolatums by penetra-
3.1.3 lubricating grease, n—a semi-fluid to solid product of
tion. Test Method D 937 should be used for such products.
a dispersion of a thickener in a liquid lubricant.
3.1.3.1 Discussion—Thedispersionofthethickenerformsa
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two-phase system and immobilizes the liquid lubricant by
These test methods are the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum
Products and Lubricants and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D02.G0
surface tension and other physical forces. Other ingredients are
on Lubricating Grease. In the IP, these test methods are under the jurisdiction of the
commonly included to impart special properties.
Standardization Committee. These test methods were adopted as a joint ASTM-IP
3.1.4 penetrometer, n—an instrument that measures the
standard in 1969.
consistencyorhardnessofsemiliquidtosemisolidmaterialsby
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 2002. Published March 2003. Originally
approved in 1925. Last previous edition approved in 1997 as D 217–97.
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National Lubricating Grease Institute, 4635 Wyandotte St., Kansas City, MO
3
64112-1596. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D217–02
measuring the depth to which a specified cone or needle under 3.2.4 prolonged worked penetration, n—of lubricating
a given force falls into the material. grease, the penetration of a sample after it has been worked
3.1.4.1 Discussion—In this test method, either a standard more than 60 double strokes in a standard grease worker at a
penetrometer 6.2 or an optional penetrometer coneA1.3 can be temperature
...