Specifications for lubricating
oils commonly include all or some of the following values:
(1) Gravity
(2) Flash
Point
(3) Fire
Point
(4) Viscosity
(5) Viscosity
Index (V.I)
(6) Pour
Point
(7) Carbon
Residue
(8) Color
(9) Neutralization
Number
In addition
certain other
characteristics or tests
will be mentioned as these
are sometimes called for and hence
may me be of
value in determining the suitability of an oil for
certain purposes. Some such qualities are: Aniline Point; Ash; Corrosion Characteristics
or Protection; Precipitation Number; and Steam Emulsion Number.
Methods for
conducting tests to determine
values for oil characteristics have been
standardized by American
Society for Testing
and Materials ( ASTM)
and in many cases
the methods are in
general agreement with Institute
of Petroleum (IP) and
U.S. Government Methods as shown
in Federal Test
Method Standard No. 791.
In the
details to follow ASTM and IP
numbers for methods of test will
be given followed by a short
description of what the
test consists of. Also,
where possible the
significance of such qualities or
tests, as they influence the selection and use of an oil for gear lubricants, will be noted.
