1.1This test method covers the determination of a number of metals such as aluminum, antimony, barium, calcium, iron, lithium, magnesium, molybdenum, phosphorus, silicon, sodium, sulfur, and zinc in unused lubricating greases by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) technique.
1.1.1The range of applicability for this test method, based on the interlaboratory study conducted in 2005, is aluminum (10 to 600), antimony (10 to 2300), barium (50 to 800), calcium (20 to 50 000), iron (10 to 360), lithium (300 to 3200), magnesium (30 to 10 000), molybdenum (50 to 22 000), phosphorus (50 to 2000), silicon (10 to 15 000), sodium (30 to 1500), sulfur (1600 to 28 000), and zinc (300 to 2200), all in mg/kg. Lower levels of elements may be determined by using larger sample weights, and higher levels of elements may be determined by using smaller amounts of sample or by using a larger dilution factor after sample dissolution. However, the test precision in such cases has not been determined, and may be different than the ones given in Table 1.
TABLE 1 Precision of Grease Analysis
Note 1:X is the mean concentration in mg/kg.
| Element | Range,
mg/kg | Repeatability | Reproducibility |
| Aluminum | 10–600 | 0.2163 X0.9 | 6.8156 X0.9 |
| Antimony | 10–2300 | 0.3051 X0.8191 | 4.6809 X0.8191 |
| Barium | 50–800 | 0.3165 X0.7528 | 2.9503 X0.7528 |
| Calcium | 20–50 000 | 2.2853 X0.7067 | 3.0571 X0.7067 |
| Iron | 10–360 | 0.8808 X0.7475 | 2.5737 X0.7475 |
| Lithium | 300–3200 | 0.0720 X1.0352 | 0.1476 X1.0352 |
| Magnesium | 30–10 000 | 0.6620 X0.6813 | 2.6155 X0.6813 |
| Molybdenum | 50–22 000 | 0.1731 X0.9474 | 0.4717 X0.9474 |
| Phosphorus | 50–2000 | 1.2465 X0.6740 | 4.0758 X0.6740 |
| Silicon | 10–15 000 | 1.3859 X0.9935 | 4.8099 X0.9935 |
| Sodium | 30–1500 | 6.5760 X0.5 | 11.571 X0.5 |
| Sulfur | 1600–28 000 | 1.0507 X0.8588 | 1.5743 X0.8588 |
| Zinc | 300–2200 | 0.1904 X0.8607 | 0.5912 X0.8607 |
1.1.2It may also be possible to determine additional metals such as bismuth, boron, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, manganese, potassium, titanium, etc. by this technique. However, not enough data is available to specify the precision for these latter determinations. These metals may originate into greases through contamination or as additive elements.
1.1.3During sample preparation, the grease samples are decomposed with a variety of acid mixture(s). It is beyond the scope of this test method to specify appropriate acid mixtures for all possible combination of metals present in the sample. But if the ash dissolution results in any visible insoluble material, the test method may not be applicable for the type of grease being analyzed, assuming the insoluble material contains some of the analytes of interest.
1.2Elements present at concentrations above the upper limit of the calibration curves can be determined with additional appropriate dilutions of dissolved samples and with no degradation of precision.
1.3 The development of the technique behind this test method is documented by Fox.
1.4The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5This 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. Specific warning statements are given in Sections 8 and 10.
1.6This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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