Lubricant Testing 101 - Dropping Point

Nye Lubricants performs a vast array of tests in-house on our lubricants. A full complement of
laboratory equipment enables us to complete qualification testing to ensure design and performance
requirements of your application are met.

The test featured in this video is Dropping Point, also known as ASTM Method D-2265. The dropping
point of a grease is the temperature at which it passes from a semi-solid to a liquid state. The dropping
point test determines the cohesiveness of the oil and thickener of a grease. Dropping point tests are
used for quality control to verify that the soap structure has been formed correctly and will withstand
high temperatures.

The test featured in this video is Dropping Point, also known as ASTM Method D-2265. The dropping
point of a grease is the temperature at which it passes from a semi-solid to a liquid state. The dropping
point test determines the cohesiveness of the oil and thickener of a grease. Dropping point tests are
used for quality control to verify that the soap structure has been formed correctly and will withstand
high temperatures.

The technician monitors the entire test apparatus as it is slowly heated in order to ensure that the heater
block temperature and the sample temperature remain within 3°C of each other. As the temperature
increases in the test apparatus, a drop of oil will fall from the cup to the bottom of the test tube at the
temperature at which the thickener can no longer hold the oil. When this occurs, the technician will
record both the sample and heater block temperatures on the thermometers to the nearest degree.

To calculate the dropping point of the grease, the recorded temperature of your sample is subtracted
from the heater block temperature. And that value is added to the sample temperature to determine the
Dropping Point.

A Dropping Point is most often performed on any soap-thickened grease. Soap thickened greases consist
of simple and complex soaps. Soap-thickened greases are most often used in bearing applications in the
automotive, industrial and aerospace industries.
The dropping point of a lubricating grease is an indication of the heat resistance of the grease and is the
temperature at which it passes from a semi-solid to a liquid state under specific test conditions. It is
dependent on the type of thickener used and the cohesiveness of the oil and thickener of a grease.[1]
The dropping point indicates the upper temperature limit at which a grease retains its structure though
is not necessarily the maximum temperature at which a grease can be used.

Dropping point is used in combination with other testable properties to determine the suitability of
greases for specific applications and for use in quality control.