ASTM D4684-08

When an engine oil is cooled, the rate and duration of cooling can affect its yield stress and viscosity. In this laboratory test, a fresh engine oil is slowly cooled through a temperature range where wax crystallization is known to occur, followed by relatively rapid cooling to the final test temperature. These laboratory test results have predicted as failures the known engine oils that have failed in the field because of lack of oil pumpability. These documented field failing oils have all consisted of oils normally tested at –25°C. These field failures are believed to be the result of the oil forming a gel structure that results in either excessive yield stress or viscosity of the engine oil, or both.

Cooling Profiles:

For oils to be tested at −20°C or colder, Table X1.1 applies. The cooling profile described in Table X1.1 is based on the viscosity properties of the ASTM Pumpability Reference Oils (PRO). This series of oils includes oils with normal low-temperature flow properties and oils that have been associated with low-temperature pumpability problems (1-5). Significance for the −35 and −40°C temperature profiles is based on the data collected from the “Cold Starting and Pumpability Studies in Modern Engines” conducted by ASTM (6,7).

For oils to be tested at −15 or −10°C, Table X1.2 applies. No significance has been determined for this temperature profile because of the absence of appropriate reference oils. Similarly, precision of the test method using this profile for the −10°C test temperature is unknown. The temperature profile of Table X1.2 is derived from the one in Table X1.1 and has been moved up in temperature, relative to Table X1.1, in consideration of the expected higher cloud points of the viscous oils tested at −15 and −10°C.

1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the yield stress and viscosity of engine oils after cooling at controlled rates over a period exceeding 45 h to a final test temperature between –10 and –40°C. The viscosity measurements are made at a shear stress of 525 Pa over a shear rate of 0.4 to 15 s^–1. The viscosity as measured at this shear stress was found to produce the best correlation between the temperature at which the viscosity reached a critical value and borderline pumping failure temperature in engines.

1.2 This test method contain two procedures: Procedure A incorporates several equipment and procedural modifications from Test Method D 4684–02 that have shown to improve the precision of the test, while Procedure B is unchanged from Test Method D 4684–02. Additionally, Procedure A applies to those instruments that utilize thermoelectric cooling technology or direct refrigeration technology of recent manufacture for instrument temperature control. Procedure B can use the same instruments used in Procedure A or those cooled by circulating methanol.

1.3 Procedure A of this test method has precision stated for a yield range from less than 35 Pa to 210 Pa and apparent viscosity range from 4300 to 270 000 mPa·s. The test procedure can determine higher yield stress and viscosity levels.

1.4 This test method is applicable for unused oils, sometimes referred to as fresh oils, designed for both light duty and heavy duty engine applications. It also has been shown to be suitable for used diesel and gasoline engine oils. The applicability to petroleum products other than engine oils has not been determined.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.5.1 Exception—This test method uses the milliPascal second (mPa·s) as the unit of viscosity. For information, the equivalent unit, centiPoise (cP), is shown in parentheses.

1.6 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.