Limits for final two tests in PC-11 now on the table
The December 2016 targeted first license date for the upcoming heavy-duty engine oil category being developed in North America known as Proposed Category-11 (PC-11) is drawing near, as all the tests have now had limits set or proposed.
At the meeting of the New Category Development Team (NCDT) for the PC-11 category on Sept. 17 in Chicago, Ill., U.S.A., limits were proposed for the final two tests in the matrix. The T-13 test which measures oxidation is sponsored by Mack, while the C-13 test which measures aeration is sponsored by Caterpillar. The final limits for both tests have now been proposed to the NCDT.
Greg Shank of Volvo Mack shared that the limits for the T-13 test would be in two requirements, IR oxidation peak height at 360 hours, and percent increase in KV40 (kinematic viscosity at 40ºC) between 300 and 360 hours. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy or FTIR measures the oxidation peak of the engine oil.
Shank said that initially, a third requirement would also be measured: average oil consumption measured in kilograms per hour. However, Shank said that there were too many disparities in the oil consumption data, and that they were likely caused by differences in engine hardware, rather than differences in the oils.
Hind Abi-Akar of Caterpillar spoke on the proposed limits for the C13 test. She said that a tiered system had been proposed, with limits for one, two and three tests, measured in percent aeration between 40 and 50 hours. The limit for one test is 11.6% aeration; the limit for two tests is 11.7% and for three tests it is 11.8%.
Abi-Akar also said that these limits exclude 1005 type oils, and a few others that are considered borderline, for the sake of having repeatability and reproducibility of the tests across the labs.
The limits for these tests have been proposed, and exit criteria ballots for both will be ready to vote on by the D02.B Lubricant Subcommittee of ASTM International during its December meeting in Austin, Texas, U.S.A.—By Alison Gaines
