Lubricant’s test methods-

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Scope & Significance

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Determination of ASTM color of Petroleum products
(ASTM color scale)

ASTM D1500

Scope
This test method covers the visual determination of the color of
petroleum products.

Significance & Use

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1. Mainly for manufacturing control purposes and is an important quality
characteristic.
2. Color indicates of the degree of refinement of the material.

Measuring Units
Scale of 0.5 to 8 units.

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Determination of Density, Relative Density, and API Gravity of
Liquids by Digital Density Meter.

ASTM D4052
Scope
This test method determines the density, relative density, and API Gravity
of lubricants.

Density- mass of a unit volume of a material substance. d = M/V

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Significance & Use
1. Density is a fundamental physical property that can characterize both
the light and heavy fractions and petroleum products.

Measuring Units
g/cm3 or kg/m3

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Viscosity Measurement Tests
Viscosity- Viscosity of a fluid is a measure of its resistance to gradual
deformation by shear stress.

Absolute Viscosity/Dynamic Viscosity - The ratio between the applied

shear stress and rate of shear of a liquid. Thus dynamic viscosity is a
measure of the resistance to flow or deformation of a liquid.

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Shear rate - Shear rate is the rate of change of velocity at which one
layer of fluid passes over an adjacent layer

Shear stress- force tending to cause deformation of a material by

slippage along a plane or planes parallel to the imposed stress

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Kinematic Viscosity- The resistance to flow of a fluid under gravity. OR
The time required for a volume of liquid to flow under gravity through a
calibrated glass capillary viscometer.

Simply put,
Dynamic viscosity gives you information on the force needed to

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make the fluid flow at a certain rate,
while Kinematic viscosity tells how fast the fluid is moving when
a certain force is applied.

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Determination of Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque
Liquids (40oC & 100oC)

ASTM D445 & ASTM D7042

Significance & Use

1. Appropriate viscosity required for correct operation of the equipment
2. The viscosity of many petroleum fuels is important for the estimation of
optimum storage, handling, and operational conditions.
3. Used Oil Analysis- If viscosity is less than the original product then we conclude

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that product may get sheared or May get diluted by gasoline.
4. If viscosity is high then it must get oxidized.

Leads to metal to metal contact further leads to wear & increase in heat
will seize the engine

Measuring Units
cSt- Centi Stoke or mm2/s.

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Calculating Viscosity Index from Kinematic Viscosity at 40
and 100°C

ASTM D2270 Significance & Use

1. Higher viscosity index indicates a
smaller decrease in kinematic
viscosity with increasing temperature
of the lubricant.
2. Viscosity Index used to characterize
base oils for purposes of establishing

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engine testing requirements for
engine oil performance categories
3. Use Oil Analysis – Lower the VI
indicates; Viscosity modifier has
been sheared i.e Chain of polymer
broke down.

Measuring Units
Empirical Value

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Determination of Apparent Viscosity of Engine Oils and Base
Stocks Between –5 and –35°C Using Cold-Cranking Simulator

ASTM D5293

Scope
Determines apparent viscosity of engine oils between –5 and –35°C at shear
stresses of 50 000 to 100 000 Pa and shear rates of 105 to 104 s –1 for viscosities
of approximately 900 to 25,000 mPa·s.

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Significance & Use
1. The CCS apparent viscosity of automotive engine oils correlates with low
temperature engine cranking.

High oil viscosity at low temperature will cause severe viscous drag leading to
vehicle starting trouble.

Prolonged engine cranking will stress and have known to cause adverse effects on
vehicle battery and starter system.

Measuring Units
mPa.s or cP (Centipoise)
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Determination of Viscosity of New and Used Engine Oils at High
Shear Rate and High Temperature by Tapered Bearing Simulator
Viscometer at 150
ASTM D4683
Scope
This test method determines the viscosity of engine oils at 150 °C and
1.0·106 s−1 using the Tapered Bearing Simulator (TBS) Viscometer.

Significance & Use

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 The drivers behind lowering HTHS viscosity are new global regulations
to improve fuel economy (FE) and lower greenhouse gases (GHG) in
new vehicles.

 Lower HTHS viscosity tends to improve FE and lower GHG but higher
HTHS viscosity provides better wear protection so a careful balance
must be achieved when formulating an engine oil.

Measuring Units
mPa.s or cP
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Determination of Yield Stress and Apparent Viscosity of
Engine Oils at Low Temperature
ASTM D4684
Scope
This test method measures the yield stress and viscosity of engine oils at
controlled rates of temperature between –10 and –40°C. The viscosity
measured at a shear stress of 525 Pa over a shear rate of 0.4 to 15 s–1.

Significance & Use

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Very low temperature will cause wax crystallization in engine oil thereby
increasing its viscosity. This will hamper oil flow to critical engine parts
leading to wear or even seizure.

Simulates low temperature engine oil pumpability observed in adverse

climatic conditions which have lead to field failures

Measuring Units
mPa.s or cP

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Determination of Low-Temperature Viscosity of Lubricants
Measured by Brookfield Viscometer

ASTM D2983
Scope
This test method covers the use of Brookfield viscometers of appropriate
torque for the determination of the low shear-rate viscosity of lubricants.

Significance & Use

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1.The low-temperature, low-shear-rate viscosity is important for proper
operation in mechanical device such as automatic transmission fluids,
gear oils, tractor fluids, and industrial and automotive hydraulic oils.
2.Measurement of the viscometric properties of these oils and fluids at
low temperatures is often used to specify their acceptance for service.

Measuring Units
cP- Centi Poise.

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Determination of Shear Stability of Polymer Containing Fluids
Using a European Diesel Injector Apparatus

ASTM D6278

Scope
This test method covers the evaluation of the shear stability of polymer-containing
fluids.
The test method measures the percent viscosity loss at 100°C of polymer-
containing fluids.

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Significance & Use
Oil shearing occurs as the engine oil passes through narrow engine tolerances and
oil passages.

Latest engines with tight tolerances have emphasized the need for oil to be shear
stable. Shearing of oil leads to loss of viscosity , accelerated wear and excessive
oil consumption.

Measuring Units
%loss

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Determination of Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland Open Cup
Tester

ASTM D92
Flash point is the lowest temperature at which an ignition source, causes the
vapors of the lubricant to ignite under specified conditions.

Significance & Use

1. The flash point considered as assessing the overall flammability hazard of a
material.

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2 .For base oil-
Flash point along with other tests such as viscosity, viscosity index, and specific
gravity, the flash point can help reveal both the quality of the crude oil and the
quality of the refining process.
3.For used oil-
Drop in flash point along with viscosity indicates fuel dilution which can be due to -
incomplete combustion, defective fuel injection system long idling, excessive blow
by.
Leads to reduced oil viscosity, volatility, detergency, accelerated lube oxidation
Measuring Units - Degree Celsius (oC)

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Determination of Pour Point of Petroleum Products

ASTM D97

Pour Point- The lowest temperature at which movement of the

test specimen is observed under prescribed conditions of test.

Significance & Use

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The pour point of a petroleum specimen is an index of the lowest
temperature of its utility for certain applications.

Measuring Units
Degree Celsius (oC)

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Determination of Base Number of Petroleum Products by
Potentiometric Perchloric Acid Titration

ASTM D2896B

TBN- Total Base number

The amount of acid (Perchloric or Hydrochloric Acid) needed to neutralize all part
of a Lubricant’s basicity, expressed as KOH equivalents.

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Significance & Use
Acidic byproducts due to combustion in an engine are generated when gasoline
and diesel fuel are burned.
These byproducts, including SOx, NOx and others enter the crankcase via blow-by
gases getting past the piston rings.
Acids are also generated in other areas of the engine due to heat, oxidation, and
other chemical processes.
To counter the corrosive effect of acids on engine parts, constituents which
neutralize acids.

Measuring Units
mg KOH/g

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Determination of Acid Number of Petroleum Products by
Potentiometric Titration

ASTM D664
TAN- TOTAL ACID NUMBER
A measure of the amount of KOH needed to all part of the acidity of a petroleum product.

Significance & Use

Acidic byproducts due to combustion in an engine enter crankcase via blow-by gases getting
past the piston rings.

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Acid generation in engine can be through-
NOx + Moisture Nitric acid
SO2 + Moisture  Sulphuric acid
CO + Moisture  Carbonic Acid
Coolant breakdown  internal coolant leak  Glycolic Acid.

These acids attack the oil, reducing additive effectiveness and increasing the rate of oil
degradation, which creates varnish, lacquer, sludge and engine deposits and also corrode
critical engine parts.

Measuring Units
mg KOH/g

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Determination of Additive Elements & wear elements in
Lubricating Oils by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission
Spectrometry
ASTM D4951/ D5185

Significance & Use

 Inductively Coupled Plasma works on principle of Atomic Emission
Spectroscopy , effective tool in oil analysis and condition monitoring

 Additive packages are blends of individual additives, which can act as

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detergents, antioxidants, antiwear agents, and so forth.
 Metals in lubricating oil can come from various sources, such as wear metals,
contamination, dirt, leaks or additives.

 Can determine upto 21 wear metal and additive elements.

Oil Analysis for trace metals is routinely carried out as an equipment maintenance
program for various engines of different make.

Measuring Units
ppm

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Determination of Phosphorus, Sulphur, Calcium, and Zinc in
Lubrication Oils by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence
Spectroscopy

ASTM D6481
Scope
This test method is limited to the use of energy dispersive X-ray
fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometers employing an X-ray tube for
excitation in conjunction with the ability to separate the signals of

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adjacent elements.

Significance & Use

This test method is primarily intended to be used at a manufacturing
location for monitoring of additive elements in lubricating oils. It can also
be used in central and research laboratories.

Measuring Units
ppm

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Determination of Foaming Characteristics of Lubricating Oils

ASTM D892
Scope
This test method covers the determination of the foaming characteristics
of lubricating oils at 24°C and 93.5°C.

Significance & Use

1. Foaming in engine oil occurs due to air entrapment from high-volume

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pumping, air pockets in oil galleries and during splash lubrication.
2. Pump cavitation, oil oxidation , inadequate oil pressure, poor oil film
formation and subsequent wear are some of the major mechanical
failures which can be attributed to oil foaming.

Measuring Units
Foaming Tendency- ml
Foaming Stability- ml

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Determination of High Temperature Foaming Characteristics of
Lubricating Oils

ASTM D6082
Scope
This test method describes the procedure for determining the foaming
characteristics of lubricating oils (specifically transmission fluid and motor
oil) at 150°C.

SAGAR GHADGE
Significance & Use
The tendency of oils to foam can be a serious problem in systems such as
high-speed gearing, high-volume pumping, and splash lubrication.
Inadequate lubrication, cavitation, and overflow loss of lubricant can lead
to mechanical failure. This test method is used in the evaluation of oils
for such operating conditions.

Measuring Units
Foaming Tendency- ml
Foaming Stability- ml

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Determination of Evaporation Loss of Lubricating Oils by the
Noack Method
ASTM D5800B
Scope
This test method determines evaporative loss of engine oils

Significance & Use

Possible source of engine oil evaporative loss-
Inherent lower base oil volatility.
Higher than normal engine temperature,

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Reduced oil viscosity due to possible fuel dilution
Use of lower viscosity against OEM recommendation

Higher volatility can cause-

Reduced oil level and frequent topups
Accelerated wear or seizure due to lube starvation
shortened engine oil change intervals
increased rate of deposit formation
Premature oil thickening/gelling,

Measuring Units
% of Evaporation loss. 21
Determination of Corrosiveness to Copper from Petroleum
Products by Copper Strip Test

ASTM D130
Scope
This test method covers the determination of the corrosiveness to copper of
lubricating oil.

Significance & Use

To evaluate the degree to which a lubricant will corrode copper-containing

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materials (i.e., bronze ,brass).
Copper corrosion can take place in –
Engine bearings
Piston pin bushing
Thrust Washer
Oil coolers
Gears
Valves.
The copper strip corrosion test is designed to assess the relative degree of
corrosivity of a petroleum product.

Measuring Units- Unit (1a to 4c)

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Determination of Water in Petroleum Products, Lubricating
Oils, and Additives by Coulometric Karl Fischer Titration

ASTM D6304

Scope
This test method determines water in the range of 10 to 25 000 mg/kg
entrained water in petroleum products using automated instrumentation.

Significance & Use

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Lubricating oils, the presence of moisture could lead to premature
corrosion and wear, an increase in the debris load resulting in diminished
lubrication and premature plugging of filters, an impedance in the effect
of additives, and undesirable support of deleterious bacterial growth.

Measuring Units
ppm (Parts Per Million)

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Determination of Water in Petroleum Products, Lubricating
Oils, and Additives by Coulometric Karl Fischer Titration
ASTM D6304
Significance & Use
 The physical properties affected by the presence of water include:
• viscosity
• lubricity and load-carrying characteristics
• power transfer characteristics (compressibility), especially in hydraulic systems
 The chemical properties effect are:
• Thermo-oxidative stability. The reaction of oxygen with fluid basestock forms

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oxygenated compounds and is accelerated by heat and the presence of water.
Metals, in the form of wear debris, often act as a catalyst.3 Oxidation ultimately
leads to higher viscosity and deposits, such as polymeric compounds or
sludges.

• Hydrolysis, the decomposition of ester-based fluids as a result of heat and

water, results in acids and alcohols, leading to increased corrosivity.

• Deposition characteristics (soot, coking)

• Premature additive depletion and additive precipitation, impacting fluid

performance

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Determination of Sulphated Ash from Lubricating Oils and
Additives

ASTM D874
Scope
This test determines the sulphated ash from unused lubricating oils.
Sulphated Ash- The as content of an oil, determined by charring the oil,
treating the residue with sulfuric acid, and evaporating to dryness.

SAGAR GHADGE
Significance & Use
1. The sulphated ash can be used to indicate the concentration of known
metal-containing additives in new oils.
2. Environment regulation Low-SAPS oil requirement.

Measuring Units
Mass %

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Determination of Oxidation Induction Time of Lubricating Oils by
Pressure Differential Scanning Calorimetry (PDSC)
ASTM D6186
Scope
This test method determines oxidation induction time of lubricating oils
subjected to oxygen at 3.5 MPa (500 psig) and temperatures between
130 and 210°C.

Significance & Use

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1. Oxidation induction time, as determined under the conditions of this
test method, may be used as an indication of oxidation stability.
2. This test method is faster than other oil oxidation tests and requires a
very small amount of sample. It will used for research and development,
quality control, and specification purposes.

Oxidation will lead to an increase in the oil's viscosity and deposits of

varnish and sludge.

Measuring Units- Minutes

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Condition Monitoring of Used Lubricants by Trend Analysis
Using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectrometry

ASTM E2412, ASTM D7412, ASTM D7414, ASTM D 7418

Scope
This practice covers the use of FT-IR in monitoring additive depletion,
contaminant build up and base stock degradation in machinery lubricants.
Contaminants monitored include water, soot, ethylene glycol, fuels and
incorrect oil.

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Oxidation, nitration and sulfonation are monitored as evidence of
degradation.
Significance & Use
Analysis of lubricants have long been used as a means to determine
overall machinery health.
The objective of this monitoring activity is to diagnose the operational
condition of the machine.

Measuring Units
Difference in spectrum.

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Determination of Water Separability of Petroleum Oils and
Synthetic Fluids
ASTM D1401

Scope
This test method measures the ability of petroleum oils fluids to separate from
water.

Demulsibility- A measure of a fluid’s ability to separate from water.

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Significance & Use
1. It is used for specification of new oils and monitoring of in-service oils.
2. The presence of water in hydraulic fluids effects Surface corrosion, Accelerated
metal surface fatigue, metal wear.
3. The physical properties most affected by the presence of water include:
 Viscosity
 Lubricity and load-carrying characteristics
 power transfer characteristics (compressibility), especially in hydraulic systems

Measuring Units
mL oil – mL water – mL emulsion (time, min)

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Determination of Air Release Properties of Petroleum Oils

ASTM D3427
Scope
This test method determines the ability of turbine, hydraulic, and gear oils to
separate entrained air.

Significance & Use

1. Agitation of lubricating oil with air in equipment, such as bearings, couplings,

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gears, pumps, and oil return lines, may produce a dispersion of finely divided
air bubbles in the oil.
2. If the residence time in the reservoir is too short to allow the air bubbles to
rise to the oil surface, a mixture of air and oil will circulate through the
lubricating oil system.
3. This may result in an inability to maintain oil pressure (particularly with
centrifugal pumps), incomplete oil films in bearings and gears, and poor
hydraulic system performance or failure.

Measuring Units
(time, min)

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Measurement of Extreme-Pressure Properties of Lubricating
Fluids (Four Ball Method)

ASTM D2783
Scope
This test method determines the load carrying properties of lubricating
fluids

Significance & Use

SAGAR GHADGE
1. This test method, used for specification purposes, differentiates
between lubricating fluids having low, medium, and high level of
extreme-pressure properties.

2. Mechanical failure or seizure if Extreme-Pressure properties not met.

Measuring Units
Scar diameter in mm or Load in Kg.

30
Thank you

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