ASTM D6082 - High Temperature Foaming Characteristics of Lubricating Oils

Significance and Use  

5.1 The tendency of oils to foam at high temperature can be a serious problem in systems such as high-speed gearing, high volume pumping, and splash lubrication. Foaming can cause inadequate lubrication, cavitation, and loss of lubricant due to overflow, and these events can lead to mechanical failure.

5.2 Correlation between the amount of foam created or the time for foam to collapse, or both, and actual lubrication failure has not been established. Such relations should be empirically determined for foam sensitive applications.

1. Scope

1.1 This test method describes the procedure for determining the foaming characteristics of lubricating oils (specifically transmission fluid and motor oil) at 150 °C.

1.2 Foaming characteristics of lubricating oils at temperatures up to 93.5 °C are determined by Test Method D892 or IP 146.

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

Extracted, with permission, from ASTM D6082-12 - High Temperature Foaming Characteristics of Lubricating Oils, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard may be purchased from ASTM International, astm.org