ASTM D2265-22

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D2265 − 20 D2265 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Dropping Point of Lubricating Grease Over Wide
Temperature Range
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2265; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the dropping point of lubricating grease.
1.2 Warning—The dropping point as measured by this test is an artificially corrected number that does not have any bearing on
the performance of the grease at elevated temperature. The dropping point as defined by this test method may not correlate with
a value of the dropping point as determined by Test Method D566 (ISO 2176).
1.3 This test method uses mercury thermometers. WARNING—Mercury has been designated by many regulatory agencies as
a hazardous materialsubstance that can cause central nervous system, kidney and liver damage. serious medical issues. Mercury,
or its vapor, may has been demonstrated to be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should be taken Use caution
when handling mercury and mercury containing mercury-containing products. See the applicable product Material Safety Data
Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA’s website—http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm—for additional information. Users should be
aware (SDS) for additional information. The potential exists that selling mercury and/or mercury containing products into your
state or country may be prohibited by law. or mercury-containing products, or both, is prohibited by local or national law. Users
must determine legality of sales in their location. The responsible subcommittee, D02.G0.03, continues to explore alternatives to
eventually replace the mercury thermometers. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any,
associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D217 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
D566 Test Method for Dropping Point of Lubricating Grease
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.G0.03 on Physical Tests.
Current edition approved May 1, 2020April 1, 2022. Published June 2020April 2022. Originally approved in 1964. Last previous edition approved in 20192020 as
D2265 – 19.D2265 – 20. DOI: 10.1520/D2265-20.10.1520/D2265-22.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D2265 − 22
D3244 Practice for Utilization of Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
E2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermometers with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
2.2 ISO Standards:
ISO 2176 Petroleum products – Lubricating grease – Determination of dropping point
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 lubricating grease, n—a semi-fluid to solid product of a thickener in a liquid lubricant.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—
The dispersion of the thickener forms a two-phase system and immobilizes the liquid lubricant by surface tension and other
physical forces. Other ingredients are commonly included to impart special properties. D217
3.1.2 thickener, n—in lubricating grease, a substance composed of finely-divided particles dispersed in a liquid to form the
product’s structure.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—
Thickeners can be fibers (such as various metallic soaps) or plates or spheres (such as certain non-soap thickeners), which are
insoluble or, at most, only very slightly soluble in the liquid lubricant. The general requirements are that the solid particles be
extremely small, uniformly dispersed, and capable of forming a relatively stable, gel-like structure with the liquid lubricant. D217
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 dropping point, n—a numerical value assigned to a grease composition representing the corrected temperature at which the
first drop of material falls from the test cup and reaches the bottom of the test tube.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—
In the normal and proper operation of this test method, the observed dropping point is corrected by adding to it a value representing
one third of the difference between the oven block temperature and the observed dropping point temperature. This corrected value
is recorded as the dropping point of the grease. This is not the same definition for dropping point that is used in Test Method D566.
3.2.2 observed dropping point, n—the value noted on the thermometer monitoring the internal temperature of the grease test cup
when the first drop of material falls from the test cup and reaches the bottom of the test tube.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A grease sample in a grease test cup is supported in a test tube placed in an aluminum block oven at a preset constant
temperature. A sample thermometer is placed in the tube and so positioned that it measures the temperature in the sample cup
without coming in contact with the grease.
4.2 As the temperature increases, at some point a drop of material will fall from the cup to the bottom of the test tube. The reading
on the sample thermometer is recorded to the nearest degree as the observed dropping point. At the same time, the temperature
of the aluminum block oven is also recorded to the nearest degree.
4.3 One third the difference between the two values is the correction factor which is added to the observed value and recorded
as the dropping point of the grease.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The dropping point is useful to assist in identifying the grease as to type and for establishing and maintaining bench marks
for quality control. The results are to be considered to have only limited significance with respect to service performance of
conventional soap thickeners because dropping point is a static test. Above 200 °C, the dropping point has no correlation with the
maximum upper operating temperature of the grease.
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO Central Secretariat, BIBC II, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier, Geneva,
Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.
D2265 − 22
(a) Dimensions in millimetres.
FIG. 1 Apparatus for Dropping Point Test of Lubricating Grease
5.2 Historical cooperative testing on conventional soap-thickened greases indicated (RR:D02-1164) that, in general, dropping
points by Test Method D2265 and Test Method D566 were in agreement up to 200 °C. In cases where results differ, there is no
known significance. However, agreement between the manufacturer and purchaser as to test method used is advisable.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Dropping Point Assembly (Fig. 1) consisting of the following:
6.1.1 Grease Cup, chromium-plated brass cup conforming to the dimensions shown in A,Fig. 1.
6.1.2 Test Tube, thin walled, soft glass test tube with rim, having dimensions shown in B,Fig. 1.
6.1.3 Cup Support, glass tubing as shown in C,Fig. 1.
6.1.4 Thermometer, thermometer 3C as prescribed in Specification E1 and shown in D,Fig. 1.
6.1.5 Accessories, thermometer clamp as shown in E-1, bushings as shown in E-2 and E-3, bushing support ring as shown in E-4,
thermometer depth gage as shown in E-5, a metal rod as shown in E-6, and cup gage as shown in E-7, all of Fig. 1.
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may be obtained by requesting Research Report RR:D02-1164. Contact ASTM Customer
Service at service@astm.org.
D2265 − 22
FIG. 2 Aluminum Block Oven
6.2 Aluminum Block Oven, aluminum block oven of the design and dimensions shown in Fig. 2. The block shall be equipped with
an integral cartridge-type heater. Control of the current to the heater shall be used to obtain and maintain the desired oven
temperature.
6.2.1 Aluminum Block Oven Thermometer, conforming to thermometer 11C with specified immersion line equal to depth of
thermometer well in accordance with SpecificationSpecifications E1. or E2251, such as thermometer 3C.
7. Sampling
7.1 The sample presented for analysis should be large enough to make possible the selection of a representative portion for testing.
Examine for any indication of non-homogeneity such as oil separation, phase changes, or gross contamination. If any abnormal
conditions are found, obtain a new sample.
8. Preparation of Apparatus
8.1 Thoroughly clean the cup, cup support, and test tube with miner
...