• Method adopted/last revised: 1984
• Method reapproved: 2015
• REF/ISBN: IP310-2937259
• Status: Current
• First printed in STM books: January 1984

Scope

This method covers two procedures for measuring the consistency of small samples of lubricating greases by penetration of a ¼-scale or a ½-scale cone. It is applicable to greases of National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI) Grades 0 to 4 and is intended for use only where the size of the sample limits the use of ASTM Method D217-IP 50, Test for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease.

NOTE: This method is not intended to replace the full-scale penetration as described in Method D217-IP50.

This method includes procedures for the measurement of unworked and worked penetrations.

Unworked penetrations do not generally represent the consistency of greases in use as effectively as do worked penetrations. The latter are usually preferred for inspecting lubricating greases.

Worked penetration results may be used to establish the consistency of lubricating greases within the NLGI consistency grades. The procedures in this method are widely used for specification purposes, however, no correlation with field performance has been established.