Summary of the ASTM D6078-04 Standard Method
This test method evaluates the lubricity (load-carrying ability) of diesel fuels using the MFT-5000 multi-function tribometer. Specifically, the test identifies the minimum applied load, in grams, needed to produce a friction coefficient greater than 0.175 between a stationary ball and a fluid-wetted rotating ring operating under defined conditions.
Applications
This test method is applicable to middle distillate fuels, such as Grades Low Sulfur No. 1-D, Low Sulfur No. 2-D, No. 1-D, and No. 2-D diesel fuels, in accordance with specification D975, as well as other similar petroleum-based fuels used in diesel engines. However, this test method may not predict the performance of all additive/fuel combinations.
Lubricity of Diesel Fuels Test Parameters
| Balls: | Chrome alloy steel, made from AISI standard steel No. E-52100, with a diameter of 12.7 mm, Grade 5 to 10. EP finish Carburized steel, having a Rockwell Hardness C Scale Number of 58 to 62 |
| Ring: | SAE 8720 steel, having HRC number of 58 to 62 |
| Force: | linear increasing (range 500 g to 5000 g) |
| Test Duration: | Until COF crosses 0.175 |
| Speed: | 525 rpm |
| Temperature: | Ambient -25 °C |
| Humidity: | 50% |
| Lubrication: | Lubricating Liquid |
| Data: | Normal Force (Fz) Friction (Fx) Coefficient of Friction Humidity (RH) |
