1、Designation: D 2266 01An American National StandardStandard Test Method forWear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Grease(Four-Ball Method)1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2266; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or, i
2、n the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript 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. Scope1.1
3、This test method covers the determination of the wearpreventive characteristics of greases in sliding steel-on-steelapplications. It is not intended to predict wear characteristicswith metal combinations other than steel-on-steel or to evaluatethe extreme pressure characteristics of the grease.1.2 T
4、he values stated in SI units are to be regarded as thestandard except where the test apparatus or consumable partsare only available in other units. In such cases, these will beregarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are forinformation only.1.3 This standard does not purport to address
5、 all of thesafety problems, 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:D 4172 Test Method
6、 for Wear Preventive Characteristics ofLubricating Fluid (Four-Ball Method)2D 6300 Practice for Determination of Precision and BiasData for Use in Test Methods for Petroleum Products andLubricants32.2 ANSI Standard:B3.12 for Metal Balls43. Terminology3.1 There are no terms in this test method that r
7、equire newor other than dictionary definitions.4. Summary of Test Method4.1 Three12 in. (12.7-mm) diameter steel balls are clampedtogether and covered with the lubricant to be evaluated. Afourth12 in. diameter steel ball, referred to as the top ball, ispressed with a force of 40 kgf (392 N) into the
8、 cavity formedby the three clamped balls for three-point contact. The tem-perature of the lubricating grease specimen is regulated at 75C(167F) and then the top ball is rotated at 1200 rpm for 60 min.Lubricants are compared by using the average size of the scardiameters worn on the three lower clamp
9、ed balls.NOTE 1Because of differences in the construction of the variousmachines on which the four-ball test can be made, the manufacturersinstructions should be consulted for proper machine setup and operation.NOTE 2Although the test can be run under other test parameters, theprecision noted in Sec
10、tion 11 can vary when testing with other than testparameters listed in Section 8.5. Significance and Use5.1 The four-ball wear-test method can be used to determinethe relative wear-preventing properties of greases under the testconditions and if the test conditions are changed the relativeratings ma
11、y be different. No correlation has been establishedbetween the four-ball wear test and field service. The testmethod cannot be used to differentiate between ExtremePressure (EP) and Non-Extreme Pressure (Non-EP) Greases.56. Apparatus6.1 Four-Ball Wear-Tester and AccessoriesSee Fig. 1 andFig. 2.61Thi
12、s test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 onPetroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of SubcommitteeD02.G0.04 on Functional Tests - Tribology.Current edition approved Dec. 10, 2001. Published February 2002. Originallypublished as D 2266 64 T. Last previo
13、us edition D 2266 91 (1996).This test method has been adopted for use by government agencies to replaceMethod 6514 of Federal Test Method Standard No. 791b.2Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.02.3Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.04.4Available from American National Standards Institute, 25 We
14、st 43rd Street, 4thFloor, New York, NY 10036.5Further details on this test method may be found in: Stallings, L., et al., NLGISpokesman, Vol 31, No. 11, February 1968, pp. 396401.6The Four-Ball Wear Test Machine, available from Falex Corp., 1020 AirparkDrive, Sugar Grove, IL 60554 has been found sat
15、isfactory for this purpose. Thiscompany can also furnish a microscope with a special base to measure the wearscars without removing the balls from the test-oil cup. Discontinued models of theFour-Ball Wear Test Machine made by Precision Scientific Co. and Roxana MachineWorks are also satisfactory.1C
16、opyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.NOTE 3It is important to distinguish between the Four-Ball EP Testerand the Four-Ball Wear Tester. The Four-Ball EP Tester is designed fortesting under heavier loads and more severe condi
17、tions; it lacks thesensitivity necessary for performing four-ball wear test.6.2 Microscope,7capable of measuring the diameters of thescars produced on the three stationary balls to an accuracy of0.01 mm. It is more efficient to measure the scars withoutremoving the three balls from the holder.7. Rea
18、gents and Materials7.1 Test Balls8, chrome alloy steel, made fromAISI standardsteel No. E-52100, with diameter of 0.5 in. (12.7 mm), Grade25 EP (Extra Polish). Such balls are described in ANSISpecifications B 3.12, for Metal Balls. The Extra-Polish finishis not described in that specification. The R
19、ockwell C hardnessshall be 64 to 66, a closer limit than is found in the ANSIrequirement.NOTE 4Steel balls meeting this description were used in developingthe precision of the test.7.2 Cleaning Fluids for preparing balls and apparatus forthe test should be those capable of removing metal preservativ
20、ecoating from the balls, eliminating carryover effects from onetest to the next. The cleaning fluid selected should be non-film-forming and not contribute to the wear or antiwear propertiesof the test lubricant. (for example, chlorinated solvents shouldnot be used.)8. Test Conditions8.1 The test sha
21、ll be conducted under the following condi-tions:Temperature 75 6 2C (167 6 4F)Speed 1200 6 60 rpmDuration 60 6 1minLoad 40 6 0.2 kgf (392 6 2N)NOTE 5Although the test can be run under other conditions, theprecision limits described in Section 11 apply only to tests conductedunder the conditions desc
22、ribed in Section 8.9. Preparation of Apparatus9.1 Set up the drive of the test machine to obtain a spindlespeed of 1200 6 60 rpm.9.2 Set the temperature controller to maintain a test tem-perature of 75 6 2C 167 6 4F.9.3 When an automatic timer is used to terminate a test, itshould be checked for the
23、 required 6 1 min. accuracy at 60min. elapsed time.9.4 The loading mechanism must be balanced to a zeroreading with all parts and test grease in place. To demonstrateproper precision, an addition or subtraction of 0.2 kgf (19.6 N)should be detectable in imbalance. Determination of accuracyof loading
24、 at 40 kgf (392 N) is difficult and generally is limitedto careful measurement of lever-arm ratios and weights withdead-weight loading apparatus or piston diameter and calibra-tion of pressure gage with pneumatic loading systems.10. Procedure10.1 Thoroughly clean four test balls, clamping parts for
25、theupper and lower balls and the oil cup using a cleaning fluid orfluids selected in 7.2. Ultrasonic vibration can be used to assistthe cleaning process. Wipe the parts using a fresh (unused)lint-free industrial wipe. After cleaning, handle all parts usinga fresh wipe. No trace of cleaning fluid sho
26、uld remain when thetest oil is introduced and the machine assembled.10.2 Insert one of the clean test balls into the ball chuck.Insert the ball chuck into spindle of the test machine andtighten according to the equipment manufactures directions.NOTE 6Insertion of the ball into the ball chuck should
27、requiremoderate force and result in an audible snap as the test ball enters the ballchuck. The ball should be free from any movement. If the ball rotates ormoves within the ball chuck, replace the ball chuck.10.3 Place a small amount of the grease in the ball cupsufficient to fill the void space bet
28、ween the three balls to beinserted and the bottom of the ball cup. Insert the three testballs in the ball cup and lock the balls in position by handtightening the locknut into the ball cup using the wrenchsupplied by the equipment manufacturer.7Falex Corp. Microscope F-1519-31 has been found suitabl
29、e for this purpose.F-1519-31 measures directly to 0.1 mm and by interpolation to 0.01 mm. A higherresolution version, F-1519-31A, measures to 0.001 mm.8Steel balls meeting this description were used in developing the precision of thetest. They are available from the manufacturer of the test machine
30、and some ballmanufacturers. Some operators prefer to check a new box of balls by running an oilor a lubricating grease with a known reference. All balls used in one test should betaken from one carton (of 500 balls) as received from the supplier.FIG. 1 Precision Scientific Company Four-Ball Test Arr
31、angementFIG. 2 Falex Corporation (Roxanna) Four-Ball Test ArrangementD2266012NOTE 7Hand tightening has been found to be between 33.8 and 67.8N m (25 to 50 lb ft.).10.4 Coat the test balls located in the ball chuck and ball cupcompletely and thoroughly with the test grease and then fill theball cup w
32、ith grease and level off with the top surface of thelocknut.10.5 Place the ball cup assembly containing the three testballs and grease specimen on the test machine. Avoid shockloading by slowly applying the test load.10.6 After reaching the desired test load, turn on thetemperature controller and se
33、t the controller to maintain 75 62C (167 6 4F).NOTE 8Heater voltage or offset on proportional controllers should becapable of bringing stabilized temperature within the prescribed limits.10.7 When the desired test temperature is reached, simulta-neously start the timer and the drive motor, previousl
34、y set to1200 6 60 rpm.10.8 After the drive motor has been on for 60 6 1 min., turnoff the heaters and drive motor and remove the ball cup andthree-ball assembly. (WarningParts may be hot at the end ofthe test. Exercise care when handling parts.)10.9 Measure the wear scars on the three lower balls to
35、 anaccuracy of 6 0.01 mm by one of the following methods:10.9.1 Option AClean the grease from the ball cup assem-bly without loosening the test balls and wipe the scar area witha tissue. Leave the three balls clamped and set the ball cupassembly on the special base of the microscope that has beendes
36、igned for this purpose.4Make two measurements on each ofthe wear scars. Take one measurement of the scar along a radialline from the center of the holder; take the second measurementalong a line that is 90 from the first measurement. Report thearithmetic average of the six measurements as the scar d
37、iam-eter in millimeters.10.9.2 Option BRemove the three lower balls from theirclamped position. Wipe the scar area. Take two measurementsat 90 to each other. If a scar is elliptical, take one measurementwith the striations and the other across the striations. Take careto ensure that the line of sigh
38、t is perpendicular to the surfacebeing measured. As in Option A, average the six scar readingsand report as scar diameter in millimeters.NOTE 9In Test Method D 4172, it is stated that if the average of thetwo measurements on one ball varies from the average of all six readingsby more than 0.04 mm, t
39、he user should investigate the alignment of thethree lower balls with the top ball.11. Precision and Bias11.1 The precision of this test is not known to have beenobtained in accordance with currently accepted guidelines (forexample, Practice D 6300).911.2 The precision of this test method as determi
40、ned bystatistical examination of interlaboratory results is as follows:11.2.1 The difference between two test results, obtained bythe same operator with the same apparatus under constantoperating conditions on identical test material, would in thelong run, in the normal and correct operation of the
41、testmethod, exceed the following value only in one case in twenty:0.20 mm.11.2.2 The difference between two single and independentresults obtained by different operators working in differentlaboratories on identical test material would, in the long run, inthe normal and correct operation of the test
42、 method, exceed thefollowing value only in one case in twenty:0.37 mm.11.3 BiasThe procedure in this test method for measuringwear preventing characteristics of lubricating grease has nobias because the value of wear preventing characteristics canonly be defined in terms of a test method.NOTE 10The
43、following equipment, as listed in the submitted researchreport, was used to develop the precision statement and no statisticallysignificant differences were found between these pieces of equipment: 1.Falex Corporation (formerly Roxanna Machine Works), 1020 AirparkDrive, Sugar Grove, IL 60555; 2. Pre
44、cision Scientific (no longer manu-factured). To date, no other equipment has demonstrated through ASTMinterlaboratory testing the ability to meet the precision of this test. This isnot an endorsement or certification by ASTM International.12. Keywords12.1 four-ball; grease; wearASTM International ta
45、kes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentionedin this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the riskof infringement of such rights, are entirely their own r
46、esponsibility.This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years andif not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standardsand should be addre
47、ssed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of theresponsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you shouldmake your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at t
48、he address shown below.This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the aboveaddress or at 610-832-9585 (p
49、hone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or serviceastm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website(www.astm.org).9The article Stalling, L., NLGI Spokesman, Vol 31, No. 11, February 1988, pp.396401 has been submitted as a research report. The article does not followresearch report guidelines because the work was conducted before research reportguidelines were instituted.D2266013
