SH/T 0187-1992 Determination of extreme pressure properties of lubricating oils (Falex method)

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Card type: Test method

1. Method number / full title / English name / replacement relationship

• Standard number: SH/T 0187-92
• Chinese full title: Determination of extreme pressure properties of lubricating oils (Falex method)
• English name: not provided in the available source
• Replacement relationship: replaces zB E34 004-87
• Equivalent adoption: ASTM D3233-73(1978) "Determination of extreme pressure properties of liquid lubricants" (the source states "equivalent adoption")
• Approval/implementation: approved by China Petrochemical Corporation 1992-05-20, implemented on 1992-05-20

2. Scope of application and non-applicability

• Scope of application: This standard specifies the specific method for evaluating the extreme pressure properties of lubricating oils using the Falex testing machine; it is applicable to evaluating the extreme pressure properties of lubricating oils.
• Non-applicability: not provided in the available source.

3. Method principle

This standard includes two methods (A method, B method), both of which immerse a steel test shaft in the specimen, clamped by two stationary V-shaped blocks, rotating at a speed of 290 r/min. Load is applied to the V-shaped blocks through a ratchet mechanism: the A method applies load continuously; the B method applies load incrementally at 1112 N (250 lbf), holding constant for 1 min after each load increment. The test failure load values obtained by the two methods are the criteria for judging the level of extreme pressure performance. Both methods require load correction, and the corrected load rather than the gauge load shall be used to report test results.

4. Reagents and materials (purity / preparation)

• 5.1 Washing gasoline: meets the requirements of SH 0114.
• 5.2 Petroleum ether 60~90 ℃, analytical grade, or solvent naphtha No. 90 conforming to GB 1922.
• 4.2 Fixing screw embedded with a Brinell ball of diameter 10 mm.
• 4.3 Support plug.
• 4.4 Soft copper standard test piece marked with hardness: Brinell hardness HB 37~39 (the source source-text extraction is "HB 37 - 390", requires confirmation against the source standard (source-text extraction)).
• 4.9 Standard precision-pressed V-shaped blocks: included angle 96°±1° (the source source-text extraction is "960 ± 10", requires confirmation against the source standard (source-text extraction)), material AISI C-1137 steel, Rockwell hardness HRC 20–24, surface finish 1.3×10⁻⁷–2.5×10⁻⁷ m root mean square value (the source source-text extraction is "1.3 x 10-'[unreadable separator]2.5 x 10[unreadable sign]7m", requires confirmation against the source standard (source-text extraction)).
• 4.10 Standard test shaft: material AISI 3135 steel, outer diameter 6.35 mm (1/4 in), length 31.75 mm (1¼ in) (the source source-text extraction is "31 75mnm(14 in)", requires confirmation against the source standard (source-text extraction)), Rockwell hardness HRB 87–91, surface finish 1.3×10⁻⁷–2.5×10⁻⁷ m root mean square value (the source source-text extraction is "1.3 x 10-'[unreadable separator]2.5 x 10"7", requires confirmation against the source standard (source-text extraction)).
• 4.11 Locking pin: material is brass, conforming to ASTM B16 (specification for free-cutting brass bars, rods and sections for screw machines).
• Note (note after 4.11): The precision values of this method are determined using the test pieces specified in ASTM D2670-81; there are no completely identical test pieces domestically. This method may be used with test pieces of other materials, but this should be noted in the report.

5. Instruments and equipment

• 4.1 Falex lubricating oil testing machine (as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2), equipped with a 20000 N (4500 lbf) load gauge.
• 4.2 Fixing screw embedded with a Brinell ball of diameter 10 mm.
• 4.3 Support plug.
• 4.4 Soft copper standard test piece marked with hardness: Brinell hardness HB 37~39.
• 4.5 Graduated measuring microscope: graduation value 0.01 mm.
• 4.6 Stopwatch.
• 4.7 Thermometer: graduation value 1 ℃.
• 4.8 Steel ruler (approximately 150 mm).
• 4.9 Standard precision-pressed V-shaped blocks.
• 4.10 Standard test shaft.
• 4.11 Locking pin.

6. Recommended operating conditions

• Rotation speed: 290 r/min.
• A method: continuous load application.
• B method: incremental load application at 1112 N (250 lbf), holding constant for 1 min after each load increment.
• A method break-in: operate for 5 min under a gauge load equivalent to a corrected load of 1334 N (300 lbf).
• A method test heating temperature: 52 ℃±3 ℃.
• B method break-in: proceed according to the steps in clause 7.1.1 of method A.
• B method test: operate for 1 min under a gauge load equivalent to a corrected load of 2224 N (500 lbf); thereafter incrementally increase the gauge load according to corrected loads equivalent to 1112 N (250 lbf), operating for 1 min after each incremental load.
• Data for constructing the corrected load curve (log-log coordinate paper, ordinate load N(lbf), abscissa indentation diameter mm):
  • 2224(500) — 2.62
  • 4450(1000) — 3.42
  • 6670(1500) — 4.00 (the source source-text extraction is "66700500)", requires confirmation against the source standard (source-text extraction))
  • 8896(2000) — 4.47
• Log-log coordinate paper: Shanghai Recording Paper Factory item number 4312.

7. Sampling and specimen preparation

• 6.5.2.3 Pour 60 mL of the test specimen into the lubricating oil cup, raise the cup so that the V-shaped blocks are immersed in the test specimen; for high-viscosity specimens, slightly open the jaws to ensure the specimen covers the friction surfaces.
• 6.5.1 Cleaning: thoroughly clean the V-shaped blocks, test shaft, locking pin, test oil cup, and the fixtures for the V-shaped blocks and test shaft sequentially with washing gasoline and petroleum ether; all parts that come into contact with the test oil must be cleaned and allowed to dry naturally in air. After cleaning, handle the test pieces carefully to prevent contamination, especially avoiding contact between the meshing surfaces of the V-shaped blocks and the test shaft with fingers.
• 6.5.2 Assembly: insert the test shaft into the spindle of the testing machine and lock it with a new locking pin; insert the V-shaped blocks into the holes of the loading jaws respectively, let the V-shaped blocks contact the test shaft, and make the V-shaped grooves parallel to the test shaft; install the ratchet device with the load gauge on the loading arm.

8. Analytical procedure

6. Test preparation

• 6.1 Construction of the corrected load curve: On log-log coordinate paper, with load N(lbf) as the ordinate and indentation diameter mm as the abscissa, draw a straight line using the data listed in 6.1, labeled "corrected load" (Figure 3).
• 6.2 Calibration of the load gauge:
  • 6.2.1 Remove the fixing screw and the steel ball of diameter 12.7 mm from the right jaw hole of the testing machine (Figure 4).
  • 6.2.2 Install the fixing screw embedded with a Brinell ball of diameter 10 mm into the left jaw hole, with the ball protruding about 4 mm from the jaw.
  • 6.2.3 Install the support plug into the right jaw hole, with it protruding about 0.8 mm from the jaw.
  • 6.2.4 Support the soft copper standard test piece marked with hardness (HB 37~39) with a support block, so that the upper edge of the standard test piece is about 2.5 mm below the upper surface of the jaw. Place a steel ruler horizontally on the jaw, adjust the fixing screw embedded with a Brinell ball of diameter 10 mm until the jaw surface is parallel to the steel ruler and the standard test piece is in the position to be indented.
  • 6.2.5 Install the load gauge device with the ratchet mechanism on the loading arm, and turn the ratchet by hand to eliminate slack.
  • 6.2.6 Place the ratchet arm on the ratchet and start the motor, allowing the motor to run until the load gauge indicates 2224 N (500 lbf). Because the ball sinks into the standard test piece, it is necessary to gently tighten the ratchet to maintain the load, allowing the load to remain constant for 2224 N at 1 min to facilitate the formation of the indentation.
  • 6.2.7 Turn off the machine, remove the load until the standard test piece loosens from the jaw. Advance the standard test piece by about 9.5 mm so that the next new indentation is separated from the old indentation by at least 2.5 times the original indentation diameter. Check whether the jaw position meets the requirements of clause 6.2.4. Repeat the above indentation operation under gauge loads of 4448, 6672, 8896 N (1000, 1500, 2000 lbf).
  • 6.2.8 Remove the load gauge device and the standard test piece, measure each indentation diameter with a microscope, accurate to 0.01 mm. Rotate the standard test piece and make three diameter measurements. Ensure that no two measurements are on the same diameter. Calculate the average of the three measurements for each indentation and record it.
  • 6.2.9 On Figure 3, plot the four indentation reading points, draw a straight line through these four indentation reading points, and label this straight line "gauge load" (Figure 5).
• 6.3 A method determination of the break-in dial load: in the procedure of clause 7.1.1, it is required to perform break-in under the corrected load of 1334 N (300 lbf). From the dial load versus corrected load curve prepared according to clause 6.1 and clause 6.2, obtain the dial load value by the following method: on the corrected load curve, find the coordinate point 1334 N (300 lbf), draw a line through this point perpendicular to the indentation diameter coordinate (abscissa) axis and intersecting the dial load curve. Draw a horizontal line through this intersection point to intersect the ordinate, and the intersection point is the dial load. Record the dial load value of this break-in in a suitable report form (Appendix A).
• 6.4 B method determination of break-in dial load and corrected load increment: the procedure of clause 7.2 requires break-in under the dial load corresponding to the corrected load of 1334 N (300 lbf), and testing within the corrected load range of 2224–20000 N (500–4500 lbf) with dial load increments equivalent to the corrected load of 1112 N (250 lbf). The method for determining the dial load here is as in clause 6.3. Record the corrected load and the corresponding dial load in a dedicated table (Appendix B).
• 6.5 Instrument preparation: see clause 7.

7. Test procedure

• 7.1 A method
  • 7.1.1 Break-in
    • 7.1.1.1 Turn on the heating switch, heat the specimen to 52 ℃±3 ℃, then turn off the switch.
    • 7.1.1.2 Turn the ratchet by hand to eliminate slack; at this time, the torque meter should read zero, or be adjusted to zero.
    • 7.1.1.3 Start the motor, place the ratchet arm on the ratchet, automatically increase the load to the dial load determined in clause 6.3 corresponding to the corrected load of 1334 N. Disengage the ratchet arm, start the stopwatch, and run the machine under this load for 5 min. When necessary, the load may be tightened manually or by means of the ratchet to ensure that the load remains approximately constant.
  • 7.1.2 Test: place the ratchet arm on the ratchet again, let it engage until the test fails or the dial reading reaches 20000 N (4500 lbf). When failure occurs or when 20000 N (4500 lbf) is reached without failure, stop the motor. Record the dial load at failure; if there is no failure, record 20000 N.
• 7.2 B method
  • 7.2.1 Break-in: carry out according to the procedure specified in clause 7.1.1 of method A.
  • 7.2.2 Test
    • 7.2.2.1 Place the ratchet arm on the ratchet again, let it engage until the dial load reading reaches the corrected load equivalent to 2224 N (500 lbf), and run under this load for 1 min. When necessary, this load and subsequent incremental loads may be applied by means of the ratchet to keep the load approximately constant. During both break-in and loading, keep the motor running.
    • 7.2.2.2 As determined in clause 6.4, increase the dial load according to the corrected load equivalent to 1112 N (250 lbf), and after each incremental loading run for 1 min. Record the load at which failure occurs. If failure never occurs, record 20000 N.

9. Qualitative and quantitative determination and calculation formulas

• 8.1 Test failure refers to seizure, damage to the locking pin, or ratchet operation that cannot increase the load, caused by severe wear of the test shaft.
• 8.2 If the test never fails, convert the dial load of 20000 N into corrected load, and add a plus sign (+) to the upper right corner of the number.
• 8.3 To convert dial load into corrected load, this can be done on Figure 5: find this coordinate value on the dial load curve, draw a line through this point perpendicular to the indentation diameter coordinate (abscissa) axis and intersecting the corrected load curve; the load value on the ordinate corresponding to this intersection point is the corrected load value. Failure values shall all be reported as corrected load.
• 8.4 B method: if failure occurs between two load increments, record the higher incremental load level as the failure load.
• Calculation formula: not provided in the available source (converted graphically by Figure 5, no formula).

10. Precision

The following values should be used to judge the reliability of test results (95% confidence level):

• 9.1.1 Repeatability: the difference between two consecutive repeat test results obtained by the same operator in the same laboratory using the same instrument according to the test provisions shall not be greater than 17% of the average of the two results for method A, and shall not be greater than 24% of the average of the two results for method B.
• 9.1.2 Reproducibility: the difference between two results provided according to the test provisions by different operators in different laboratories using the same test material shall not be greater than 40% of the average of the two tests for method A, and shall not be greater than 43% of the average of the two tests for method B.

11. Report

• 10.1 Report the corrected load value at which failure occurs.
• 10.2 If no failure occurs, report the corrected load of the last run, with a plus sign (+) added to the upper right corner of the number.
• Appendix A Method A report format (supplementary document): operator, test sample, break-in (at __N dial load, equivalent to 1334N corrected load, run for 5min), dial load at failure (N), corresponding corrected load (N), first test, second test.
• Appendix B Method B report format (supplementary document): operator, test sample, break-in (at __N dial load, equivalent to 1334N corrected load, run for 5min); the continuation table lists corrected load (N), dial load (N), test time (min), test result, remarks, first time, second time; the table lists corrected load values: 14457, 15569, 16681, 17793, 18905, 20000 (the original text source-text extraction is “2001[unreadable character]1”, requires confirmation against the source standard (source-text extraction)).

12. Referenced documents

• GB 1922 Solvent naphtha
• SH 0114 Aviation washing gasoline
• ASTM D2670-81 (specimen specification used for precision values, see note to 4.11)
• ASTM D3233-73(1978) “Determination method for extreme pressure properties of liquid lubricants” (equivalent adoption)
• ASTM B16 (specifications for free-cutting brass bars, rods and sections for screw machines)

13. Source and verification

This page is an AI translation of the available Chinese method card. Human verification is pending. It is not an official translation of the standard. Check the source standard and product certificate before use.

14. Quick reference Q&A