Reading Test Results

Reading Test Results

From time to time you and we run across a competitive product brochure or an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) requirement with test methods that do not follow the standard ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) nomenclature or results. There are a number of different standards in place such as: the German DIN (Deutsche Industrie Norm), ISO (International Organization for Standardization), and SASO (Saudi Standards. Metrology and Quality, Org) to name a few. This makes reading test results, especially for those who don’t do this on a regular basis more difficult than strictly necessary.

Methodology used

Most of these standards use the same methodology. In other words, they run the same test under the same conditions, temperatures, and procedures but call it by a different name and publish the results in different values. For example, the 4 Ball EP test result according to ASTM D 2596 could be 620kg (kilograms). The same result according to the DIN test would be around 6200 N (Newtons). The most common specification besides ASTM is the DIN specifications.

Several common tests

Here is a chart of a few of the most common tests run but this is by no means a complete list:

ASTM # DIN # Test Name Description of the test
D287 51 411 Density Mass per volume, i.e. 0.945 gm/ml.
D92 ISO 2592 Flash Point The lowest temperature that vapors from a product will ignite when exposed to a flame.
D128 51 575 Ash Content The residue of a compound after combustion, Engine oils and Industrial oils report Sulfated Ash.
D445 51 561 Viscosity Measure of resistance to flow in centistokes (cSt).
D2711, D1401 51 589 Demulsibility The ability of oil to separate from water.
D94 51 559 Saponification Number The number of milligrams of potassium hydroxide required to neutralize the free acids in an oil.
D97 ISO 3016 Pour Point The lowest temperature that an oil will flow.
D2270 ISO 2909 Viscosity Index The rate of viscosity change as the temperature changes. The higher the Viscosity Index the less the change.
D972 51 581 Evaporation Amount of oil loss at elevated temperature over a specified time.
D892 51 381 Air Separation Determination of how well an oil releases air.
D2265 ISO 2176 Drop Point Determination of when the grease thickener melts or the oil separates and drops.
D217 ISO 2137 Penetration Method to determine the consistency of a lubricating grease.
D1092 50 018, part 1 Apparent Viscosity Determination of the internal resistance of a grease to shearing at a given temperature.
D130 51 811 Copper corrosion Corrosion protection of non-ferrous metals.
D942 51 808 Oxidation Resistance The ability of a lubricant to resist oxidation.
D4049 51 807, part1 Water Spray off The ability of a grease not to emulsify and float away in a static test.
D1742 51 817 Oil Separation Determination of oil bleed from a grease.
D2596 51 350-2 Four Ball EP Weld The load carrying determination for a grease using point contacts. Reported as kg’s per ASTM and N (newtons) per DIN.

Do you have a question about reading test results or do you want us to “translate” these for you, please contact us.

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Source: SWEPCO®

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