The performance of lubricating grease is a comprehensive reflection of its composition and formulation process. The testing of the performance of lubricating grease is not only of decisive significance in production and research work, but also essential in the selection and inspection of lubricating grease by the using department.
The testing of lubricant performance can be divided into the following three steps:
(1) Evaluate the physicochemical properties of lubricating grease in the laboratory. The experimental method must be representative, simple, and fast.
(2) Simulation experiment. Test specific mechanical components lubricated with lubricating grease under standardized test conditions such as temperature, speed, load, etc. The selected experimental conditions should simulate actual usage situations as much as possible.
(3) Bench test. Evaluate the performance of internal combustion engine oil after running it on the selected engine for a certain period of time under standardized conditions. The results of engine bench tests are the basis for determining the quality grade of internal combustion engine oil, which is particularly important for internal combustion engine oil.
Common simulation experiments:

(1) Four ball testing machineSimulation experiment (Four ball)

Four ball testing machineSimulation tests can determine the anti friction, anti-wear, and extreme pressure properties of lubricating grease. Friction reduction is represented by the coefficient of friction 'f'; Wear resistance is represented by the wear scar diameter "d"; Extreme pressure is represented by the maximum clamping load "P ª B" and sintering load "P ª D".

The national standard test methods include GB/T 12583 Lubricant Load Capacity Determination Method, SH/T 0189 Lubricating Oil Wear Performance Determination Method, SH/T 0202 Lubricating Grease Four Ball Machine Extreme Pressure Determination Method, and SH/T 0204 Lubricating Grease Four Ball Machine Wear Performance Determination Method. The foreign standard test methods include ASTM D 2783 extreme pressure test method for lubricating oil, ASTM D4172 anti-wear test method for lubricating oil, ASTM D2596 extreme pressure test method for lubricating grease, and ASTM D2266 anti-wear test method for lubricating grease.

(2) Timken testing machinesimulated test

Timken testing machineSimulate experiments to evaluate the anti abrasion ability of lubricating grease, using OK value as the evaluation index.
The Chinese standard test method includes GB/T 11144 Determination of Extreme Pressure of Lubricating Greases http://www.jnshiyanji.com.cn/product/187.html .
The foreign standard test methods include ASTM D2782 extreme pressure testing method for lubricating oil and ASTM D2509 extreme pressure testing method for lubricating grease in the United States.
(3) Falex testing machinesimulated test
Falex testing machineSimulation tests can evaluate the extreme pressure and wear resistance of lubricants, using the load at the time of test failure (occurrence of jamming) as the evaluation index. The Chinese standard test methods include SH/T 0187 extreme pressure determination method for lubricating oil and SH/T 0188 anti-wear determination method for lubricating oil.The foreign standard test methods include ASTM D 4007 for determining the extreme pressure of liquid lubricants (Type O), ASTM D2670 and 2714 for determining the wear characteristics of liquid lubricants (Type I).
(4) Coking plate test
The coking plate test is used to evaluate the thermal safety of lubricating oil by assessing its tendency to coking when heated lubricating oil briefly contacts high-temperature (310-320 ℃) aluminum plates. This method has a certain correlation with Caterpillar 1H2 and 1G2 engine testing.
The Chinese standard test method includes SH/T 0300 crankcase simulation test method. The foreign standard test method includes the American FTM 3462 coking plate test (QZX method).
(5) Low temperature viscosity measurement method
The low-temperature viscosity measurement method is used to determine the low-temperature viscosity of engine oil at high shear rates and -50 to -30 ℃. The obtained results are related to the starting performance of the engine. The Chinese standard test method includes GB/T 6538 engine oil apparent viscosity determination method (cold start simulator method).The foreign standard test method includes the ASTM D 2602 method for determining the apparent viscosity of engine lubricating oil at low temperatures (CCS) in the United States.
(6) Low temperature pumpability determination method
The low-temperature pumpability measurement method is used to predict the boundary pumpability temperature of engine oil in the range of -40 to 0 ℃ at low shear rates.
The Chinese standard test method includes GB/T 9171 Predictive Engine Oil Boundary Pumping Temperature Determination Method.
The foreign standard test method includes the American ASTM D3830 method for predicting the boundary pumping temperature of engine lubricating oil (MRV).
(7) Shear stability determination method (ultrasonic method)
The shear stability determination method evaluates the shear stability of oil products by the rate of viscosity decrease.
The Chinese standard test methods include SH/T 0505 method for determining the shear stability of polymer containing lubricating oil (ultrasonic method) and SH/T 0200 method for determining the shear stability of polymer containing lubricating oil (gear machine method).
The foreign standard test method includes the American ASTM D 2603 ultrasonic shear stability test method for polymer lubricating oil.
(8) FZG gear test
The FZG gear test is used to determine the relative load-bearing capacity of lubricants used in steel to steel spur gears, expressed in load levels.
The Chinese standard test method includes SH/T 0306 Lubricant Load Capacity Determination Method. Foreign standard test methods include European CEC L-07-A-71, UK IP 334, and German DIN 51354.
(9) Wheel bearing grease leakage test
The leakage test of wheel bearing lubricating grease is used to determine the bearing leakage and simulate the working performance of lubricating grease in automotive wheel bearings.
The Chinese standard test method includes SH/T 0326 Lubricating grease bearing leakage test method.
The foreign standard test method includes the American ASTM D1263 method for determining the leakage of automotive wheel bearing grease.
(10) Lubricating grease drum testing machinesimulated test
Lubricating grease drum testing machineSimulation test is used to determine the performance of the drum testing machineMechanical stability of lubricating grease.
The Chinese standard test method includes SH/T 0122 method for determining the stability of lubricating grease rollers.
The foreign standard test method includes the American ASTM D 1831 method for determining the stability of lubricating grease rollers.
(11) High temperature bearing test
The high-temperature bearing test is suitable for evaluating the working performance of lubricating grease in light load anti-wear bearings under high temperature and high-speed conditions. The maximum applicable temperature is 180 ℃. The Chinese standard test method includes SH/T 0428 for determining the working performance of lubricating grease in anti-wear bearings at high temperatures.The foreign standard test method includes the American FS 791B331.2 method for determining the working performance of lubricating grease in anti-wear bearings at high temperatures.
(12) Lubricating grease gear test
The grease gear test is suitable for measuring the gear wear value of grease, which is used to indicate the relative lubrication performance of grease.
The Chinese standard test method includes SH/T 0427 Lubricating grease gear wear determination method. The foreign standard test method includes the American FS 791 B335.2 gear wear measurement method.
Common bench tests:
(1) Gasoline engine bench test
The results of gasoline engine bench tests are the basis for determining the quality grade of gasoline engine oil.
① The MS Ⅱ D engine test is used to evaluate the ability of lubricating oil to prevent rust or corrosion of valve groups in automobiles under low temperature and short distance driving conditions, and to evaluate API SE, SF, SG grade gasoline engine oils.
The Chinese standard test method includes SH/T 0512 Low temperature Corrosion Evaluation Method for Gasoline Engine Oil (MS Program Ⅱ D Method).
The foreign standard test methods include MS Ⅱ D ASTM STP 351H-I

② The MS Ⅲ D engine test is used to evaluate the ability of lubricating oil to undergo high-temperature oxidation, thickening, sludge and paint film deposition, and engine wear, and to evaluate API SE and SF grade gasoline engine oils.The Chinese standard test method includes SH/T 0513 Evaluation Method for High Temperature Oxidation and Wear of Gasoline Engine Oil (MS Program IIID Method).
The foreign standard test methods include MS Ⅲ D ASTM STP 315H-II.

③ MS Ⅲ E engine testUsed to evaluate the ability of engine lubricating oil to undergo high-temperature oxidation, thickening, sludge and paint film deposition, and engine wear, in order to assess API SG, SH, SJ grade gasoline engine oil.
The foreign standard test methods include MS Ⅲ E ASTM STP 315H-II.

④ The MS VD engine test is used to evaluate the ability of engine lubricating oil to resist sludge, paint film deposition, and valve wear, in order to assess API SE and SF grade gasoline engine oils. The Chinese standard test method includes SH/T 0514 evaluation method for low-temperature anti sedimentation of gasoline engine oil (MS program VD method).
The foreign standard test methods include MS VD ASTM STP 315H-III.

⑤ The MS VE engine test is used to evaluate the ability of engine lubricating oil to resist sludge, paint film deposition, and valve wear, in order to assess API SG, SH, SJ grade gasoline engine oil. The foreign standard test methods include MS VE ASTM STP 315H-III. (2) Diesel engine bench test
The results of diesel engine bench tests are the basis for determining the quality grade of diesel engine oil.
① The Caterpillar 1H2 engine test is used to evaluate the ring adhesion, ring and cylinder wear, and tendency for piston deposits in lubricating oil, in order to assess API CC grade diesel engine oil.
The Chinese standard test method includes GB/T 9932 Internal Combustion Engine Oil Performance Evaluation Method (Ketterle 1H2 Method).
The foreign standard test method includes ASTM STP 509A-II Caterpillar 1H2 engine test method.
② The Caterpillar 1G2 engine test is used to evaluate the ring adhesion, ring cylinder wear, and piston deposition of lubricating oil, in order to assess API CD, CD-II, and CE grade diesel engine oils.
The Chinese standard test method includes GB/T 9933 Internal Combustion Engine Oil Performance Evaluation Method (Ketterle 1G2 Method).
The foreign standard test method includes ASTM STP 509A-I Caterpillar 1G2 engine test method.
③ The CRC L-38 engine test is used to evaluate the oxidation and bearing corrosion performance of internal combustion engine oil under high temperature conditions.
The Chinese standard test method includes SH/T 0265 Evaluation Method for High Temperature Oxidation and Bearing Corrosion of Internal Combustion Engine Oil (L-38 Method).
The foreign standard test methods include FED 3405.2 (L-38) and FTM 791-3405 Lubricant Performance Evaluation Method.
(3) Gear oil bench test
① The CRC L-37 high torque test is used to evaluate the load-bearing capacity, wear, and extreme pressure characteristics of gear lubricants, in order to assess API GL-5 vehicle gear oils.
The foreign standard test method includes the American FTM 6506.1 high torque rear axle test.
② The CRC L-42 high-speed impact test is used to evaluate the abrasion resistance of gear lubricants and to assess API GL-5 vehicle gear oils.
The foreign standard test method includes the American FTM 6507.1 high-speed impact test. ③ The wet corrosion test of CRC L-33 gear lubricant is used to evaluate the corrosion of metal parts by water containing gear oil, in order to assess API GL-5 vehicle gear oil. The foreign standard test method includes the wet corrosion test of gear lubricant FTM 5326.1 from the United States.
④ The CRC L-60 gear lubricant thermal oxidation stability test is used to evaluate the thermal oxidation stability of gear oil and to evaluate API GL-5 vehicle gear oil.
The Chinese standard test method includes GB/T 8119 Vehicle Gear Oil Thermal Oxidation Stability Evaluation Method (L-60).
The foreign standard test method includes the FTM 2504 CRC L-60 thermal oxidation stability test in the United States.
(4) Hydraulic oil bench test
The vane pump test uses V-104 vane pump to evaluate the total wear of the pump, expressed in milligrams of the total weight loss of the vane pump and stator after the test.
The Chinese standard test method includes SH/T 0307 Determination of Wear Characteristics of Petroleum based Hydraulic Oil (Blade Pump Method).

The foreign standard test methods include ASTM D 2882 in the United States and IP 281 V-104 in the United Kingdom. The engine bench tests that internal combustion engine oil must pass are as follows. Publication year: API grade gasoline engine oil program II program III program V program VI 1964 SC L-38 Ⅱ A Ⅲ A VA 1968 SD L-38 Ⅱ B Ⅲ B VB 1972 SE L-38 Ⅱ C Ⅲ C VC 1980 SF L-38 Ⅱ D Ⅲ D VD 1988 SG L-38 Ⅱ D Ⅲ E VE 1994 SH L-38 Ⅱ D Ⅲ E VE VI 1997 SJ L-38 Ⅱ D Ⅲ E VE VI Publication year: API grade diesel engine oil 1970 CC L-38，Caterpillar 1H2 1970 CD L-38，Caterpillar 1G2 1987 CE L-38，Caterpillar 1G2，MACK T-6，MACK T-7，NTC-400 1988 CD- Ⅱ L-38，Caterpillar 1G2，6V-53T 1991 CF-4 L-38，Caterpillar 1K，Mack T-6、MACK T-7，Cummins NTC 400 1995 CF L-38，Caterpillar 1MPC 1995 CF-2 L-38，Caterpillar 1MPC、6V-92TA 1994 CG-4 L-38，MS IIIE, Caterpillar 1N, Mack T-8, GM6.2L. In January 1996, the Association of Automobile Constructors in Europe (ACEA) determined and released new quality grades for internal combustion engine oil based on the test results of European engine test benches, namely A1-96, A2-96, A3-96 for sedan gasoline engine oil; Car diesel engine oil: B1-96, B2-96, B3-96; Heavy duty diesel engine oil: E1-96, E2-96, E3-96.