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An American National Standard
Designation: D 6138 97
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Corrosion -Preventive Properties of
Lubricating Greases Under Dynamic Wet Conditions (Emcor
Test)1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6138; 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.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers the determination of corrosion- 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
preventive properties of greases using grease- lubricated ball 3.1.1 corrosion, nred rust or black spots on the race.
bearings under dynamic wet conditions. 3.1.1.1 DiscussionIn this test method, any stain through
1.2 The values stated in acceptable SI units are standard. which the underlying metal surface is still visible shall be
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the ignored.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.2 Definitions:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.2.1 lubricating grease, na semifluid to solid product of
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- a thickener in a liquid lubricant.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3.2.1.1 DiscussionThe dispersion of the thickener forms a
two-phase system and immobilizes the liquid lubricant by
2. Referenced Documents surface tension and other physical forces. Other ingredients are
2.1 ASTM Standards: commonly included to impart special properties. D 217
D 217 Test Method for Cone Penetration of Lubricating 3.2.2 thickener, n in lubricating grease, a substance
Grease2 composed of finely-divided particles dispersed in a liquid
D 235 Specification for Mineral Spirits (Petroleum Spirits) lubricant to form the products structure.
(Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaning Solvent)2 3.2.2.1 DiscussionThe thickeners can be fibers (such as
D 665 Test Method for Rust-Preventing Characteristics of various metallic soaps) or plates or spheres (such as certain
Inhibited Mineral Oil in the Presence of Water2 non-soap thickener), which are insoluble or, at most, only very
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water3 slightly soluble in the liquid lubricant. The general require-
2.2 ISO Standards:4 ments are that the solid particles be extremely small, uniformly
ISO 15 Rolling bearings - Radial bearings - Boundary dispersed, and capable of forming a relatively stable, gel-like
dimensions - General plan structure with the liquid lubricant. D 217
ISO 3696 Water for analytical laboratory use - Specifica-
tions and test methods 4. Summary of Test Method
ISO 7120 Petroleum products and lubricants - Petroleum 4.1 New, cleaned, and lubricated bearings are tested par-
oils and other fluids - Determination of rust-preventing tially immersed in water (distilled, synthetic sea water or
characteristics in the presence of water sodium chloride solution) under no applied load at a speed of
83 6 5 rpm in a predetermined sequence of running and
1
stopping for a period of approximately one week. After
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on cleaning, the bearing rings are examined and rated according to
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.G on Lubricating Grease. the degree of corrosion.
Current edition approved June 10, 1997. Published September 1997.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
4
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
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 6138 97
5. Significance and Use 7.7.1 90 % Isopropyl alcohol.
5.1 This test method is used to assess the ability of grease to 7.7.2 9 % Distilled water.
prevent corrosion in rolling bearings operated in the presence 7.7.3 1 % Ammonium hydroxide, 3.2-mol/L concentration.
of distilled water, sodium chloride solution, or synthetic sea NOTE 4Warning: Flammable. Poison. Causes burns. Vapor ex-
water. It is used for development and specification purposes. tremely irritating. May be fatal if swallowed. Harmful if inhaled.
6. Apparatus 7.8 Mineral Spirits, conforming to Specification D 235.
6.1 Test Bearings Use a double row self-aligning ball NOTE 5Warning: Combustible. Vapor Harmful.
bearing (30 by 72 by 19 mm), conforming to 1306 K of ISO 15,
8. Preparation of Bearings
with a steel cage.5 In cases of dispute, the SKF bearing
specified in Footnote 5 shall be used as the referee bearing. 8.1 Examine the test bearings carefully and select only
6.2 SKF TMG/Emcor Test Machine, see Annex A1. for bearings that have outer rings and balls entirely free of
description.6 corrosion. During the bearing preparation, handle the bearings
6.3 Dentists Mirror, non-magnifying. with tongs or protective gloves. Do not touch the bearings with
6.4 Graduated Pipette, capable of measuring 20 6 1 mL bare fingers at any time. Use two new bearings for each grease
water. being tested.
6.5 Oven, capable of maintaining 90 6 2C. 8.2 Number bearings on the outside diameter of the outer
ring, but do not use chemical etching. One method to number
7. Reagents the bearings is with an electric pen, which should be grounded
7.1 Purity of ReagentsReagent grade chemicals shall be on the outer ring surface being marked.
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that 8.3 Wash the selected bearings thoroughly in hot (50 to
all reagents shall conform to the specifications of the Commit- 65C) mineral spirits (Warningsee Note 5) to remove the
tee on Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society, rust preventive. To ensure complete removal, subject the
where such specifications are available.7 Other grades may be bearing to a second wash in fresh hot mineral spirits.
used, provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of NOTE 6Warning: The washing temperatures specified are consider-
sufficiently high purity to permit its use without lessening the ably above the flash point of the solvent. Accordingly, the washing
accuracy of the determination. operation should be carried out in a well-ventilated hood where no ignition
7.2 Purity of Water Unless otherwise indicated, refer- source is present.
ences to water shall be understood to mean reagent water as 8.4 Transfer bearings to the solvent rinse solution (Warn-
defined by Grade 2 of ISO 3696. ingsee Note 4) to remove any mineral spirits which may be
7.3 Synthetic Sea WaterIf required, as specified in Speci- present. Rinse each bearing and slowly rotate one ring relative
fication D 665, and ISO 7120. to the other ring in fresh hot (65 65C) solvent rinse solution.
7.4 Sodium Chloride Solutiona 0.5- mol/L solution of Fresh rinse solution is used to avoid the selective evaporation
sodium chloride prepared using water conforming to Grade 2 of the components at the rinse temperature.
of ISO 3696, at a pH of 8.0 to 8.2 adjusted by titration with
NOTE 7Care must be taken when handling bearings in the hot rinse
sodium hydroxide solution. solution to avoid burns. Tongs and heat resistant gloves are recommended.
NOTE 1Other water types, such as that specified in Specification 8.5 Remove each bearing from the solvent rinse solution
D 1193, Type III, can be used in this test method, although the precision
and place on filter paper to drain. After draining, dry the
when using other water types has not been determined. It is recommended
that the pH of the other water types is determined before use. bearing in an oven at 90 6 2C for 15 to 30 min.
8.6 Permit the bearing to cool to room temperature and
7.5 Isopropyl Alcohol: reexamine the surfaces to ensure that corrosion-free bearings
NOTE 2Warning: Flammable. Poison. Causes burns. Vapor ex- have been selected. (Exercise care when handling the bearing
tremely irritating. May be fatal if swallowed. Harmful if inhaled. to avoid rotating one ring relative to the other ring after
7.6 Ammonium Hydroxide: cleaning and drying.)
NOTE 3Warning: Flammable. Poison. Causes burns. Vapor ex-
tremely irritating. May be fatal if swallowed. Harmful if inhaled.
7.7 Solvent Rinse Solution, of the following composition by
volume:
5
1306 K steel caged bearing manufactured by NTN and DKF may be used;
however, precision had only been evaluated using SKF 1306 K/236 725 bearings.
6
Available from Petrolab Corp., Latham, NY.
7
Reagent Chemicals, American Chemical Society Specifications, American
Chemical Society, Washington, DC. For suggestions on the testing of reagents not
listed by the American Chemical Society, see Analar Standards for Laboratory
Chemicals, BDH Ltd., Poole, Dorset, U.K., and the United States Pharmacopeia
and National Formulary, U.S. Pharmacopeil Convention, Inc. (USPC), Rockville,
MD. FIG. 1 Partial Outer Ring of Double-Row Self-aligning Bearing
2
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D 6138 97
8.6.1 Inspect the outer ring tracks. (Fig. 1 illustrates the area TABLE 1 Corrosion Classifications
to be inspected.) If etch spots or corrosion are evident, reject NOTE 1Under certain circumstances a pair of parallel bands may be
the bearing. A dentists mirror can be helpful for inspection observed, the color of which changes with viewing angle; do not confuse
purposes. these bands with corrosion which appears black when viewed from all
angles.
9. Procedure Rating Designation Description
9.1 Prepare the apparatus by removing all traces of grease 0 no corrosion no corrosion
1 trace no more than three spots of corrosion,
from the previous tests by wiping the plummer blocks. Wash none of which has a diameter larger
the plummer blocks with the solvent rinse solution followed by than 1 mm
water. Dry thoroughly using a lint-free cloth. 2 light small areas of corrosion covering up to
1 % of the surface
9.2 Distribute 10g 6 0.1 g of the grease evenly in each test 3 moderate areas of corrosion covering between 1
bearing using a spatula and taking care to avoid air bubbles. and 5 % of the surface
Rotate the outer ring slightly with a gloved hand to assist 4 heavy areas of corrosion covering between 5
and 10 % of the surface
distribution. Smear all the external surfaces of the bearing with 5 severe areas of corrosion covering more than
additional grease. 10 % of the surface
9.3 Prepare two bearings for each grease to be tested. Each
pair of bearings is used for one test.
9.4 Place the adapter sleeves, bearings, and V-ring seals in
position on the shaft and finger-tighten the sleeve nuts.
9.5 Place the shaft complete with greased bearings in
position in the test rig, taking care that the bearings are
centered in the plummer blocks.
9.6 Place the top halves of the plummer block in position
and finger-tighten the locking screws.
9.7 Press the V-ring seals up against the plummer blocks
using the special tool supplied with the test machine.
9.8 Run the test rig for 30 6 5 min at 83 6 5 rpm
immediately after assembly to distribute the grease evenly.
9.9 Without delay, remove the top halves of the plummer
blocks and introduce 10 mL of distilled water, synthetic sea
water or sodium chloride solution into each side of each
plummer block (a total of 20 6 1 mL) using a pipette. Refit top
halves of plummer blocks and finger-tighten the locking
screws.
9.10 Without delay, operate the test rig according to the
following schedule:
9.10.1 Run 8 h 6 10 min, stop, allow to stand 16 h 6 10
min;
9.10.2 Run 8 h 6 10 min, stop, allow to stand 16 h 6 10
min;
9.10.3 Run 8 h 6 10 min, stop, allow to stand 108 h 6 2 h.
9.11 Immediately following the time schedule (9.10), re-
move the top halves of the plummer blocks. Lift the shaft and
bearings on to a suitable support on the work bench. Unscrew
the sleeve nuts one or two revolutions. Tap the bearings lightly
to free them, then pull bearings, sleeves, and seals off the shaft.
9.12 Dismantle the bearings for inspection by prying balls
out of the cage pockets until the outer ring can be removed.
9.13 Wash the outer rings in the solvent rinse solution and
dry, using a lint-free cloth. Examine immediately.
10. Rating Procedure
10.1 Visually examine the outer ring track area for rust or
FIG. 2 Various Ratings Illustrating Degree of Corrosion
etch spots, without the aid of any optical adjuncts, and evaluate
as described in Table 1. Fig. 1 illustrates the area to be
examined. Fig. 2 illustrates examples intended to assist in the 11. Report
assessment of the degree of corrosion. Ignore any staining 11.1 Report the degree of corrosion in accordance with one
through which the underlying metal surface is clearly visible. of the classifications and descriptions in Table 1. If the two
3
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 6138 97
ratings agree within the precision given for repeatability, report TABLE 2 Precision Values
the two figures, otherwise make two further determinations. Test Fluid Repeatability Reproducibility
NOTE 8To assist in estimating percentage corrosion area, a transpar- Water as specified in7.2 1 1
Synthetic sea water as 1 2
ent grid divided into suitable squares can be used. specified in 7.3
Sodium chloride solution as 1 2
12. Precision and Bias specified in 7.4
12.1 PrecisionThe precision of this test method, as deter-
mined by statistical examination of interlaboratory results, is as
follows: NOTE 9The precision is based on that adopted by the ISO committee
12.1.1 Repeatability The difference between successive from the IP Precision Evaluation Panel reports issued on June 27, 1979
test results, obtained by the same operator with the same and January 28, 1980, for the IP 220 round robin performed in 1965. A
copy of these reports is available from ASTM Headquarters.8
apparatus under constant operating conditions on identical test
material, in the normal and correct operation of the test 12.2 BiasThe procedure for determining the corrosion
method, would exceed the values shown in Table 2 only in one preventive properties of grease has no bias because the value of
case in twenty. corrosion is defined only in terms of this test method.
12.1.2 Reproducibility The difference between two single
and independent results, obtained by different operators work- 13. Keywords
ing in different laboratories on nominally identical test mate- 13.1 corrosion; Emcor test; lubricating grease; rust
rial, in the normal and correct operation of the test method,
would exceed the values shown in Table 2 only in one case in
twenty. 8
Available from ASTM Headquarters. Request RR:D021417.
ANNEX
(Mandatory Information)
A1. Apparatus
A1.1 Dynamic Antirust Test Rigs Fig. A1.1 shows part of A1.2 Electric MotorUse any suitable type of electric
a standard rig (Drawing No. SKF 1516600) which is capable of motor. The motor shall be fitted with reduction gear and
accommodating up to eight self-aligning ball bearings fitted flexible coupling to drive the shaft directly at 83 6 5 rpm.
with adapter sleeves and sleeve nuts (3) of polyamide plastic.
The bearings (2) are located in plummer blocks (1) (SKF SN A1.3 GeneralA stand to hold the shaft on the work bench
507) which, in the standard rig are polyamide plastic, accord- is also required and an automatic timing device is recom-
ing to drawing number SKF 720315. The rig is mounted on a mended.
mechanical plate (6), approximately 275 by 985 mm by 10
mm.The shaft (4), 25 mm in diameter, is coated with polya-
mide plastic. Two V-ring seals (5) per plummer block are
required, together with a tool (7) for correct positioning of the
seals. 9
9
The SKF designation is an example of suitable products available commer-
cially. The SKF drawing is available from SKF USA, Inc., 1100 First Ave, King of
Prussia, PA 19406.
4
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Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 6138 97
FIG. A1.1 Suitable test rig
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