Standardization as a Key Tool to Assess the Tribological Profile of Lubricants

Standardization as a Key Tool to Assess the Tribological Profile of Lubricants

Co-authors: Gregor Patzer Optimol Instruments GmbH
Dr. Mathias Woydt, MATRILUB

Abstract

Setting tribological test standards eases industrial collaboration in a globalized world, the generation of meaningful test data and a safe screening of candidate lubricants is one thing. The establishment of precision statements on a regular basis and in a wide range of operating conditions, is the other thing. They are needed in business relationships between supplier and customer in order to determine if the different results from two operators on the same samples have to be considered within the framework of the test methods as being “the same” or different.

Precision statements can only be produced in round robin tests. Later, the research reports compile the statistical results and are an excellent basis of comparison for assessing the compliance of tribotesting equipment with ISO, ASTM, SAC or DIN standards. In order to assess the tribological profile of lubricants as a mapping, the precision statements shall be established under different test conditions, e.g. temperature. Equivalency of tribological test equipment is only expressed in the research report based on round robin data. The permanent evolution of the tribological test equipment is confirmed by regular round robin tests and their test results achieved in round robin tests are, after their acceptance, displayed in the test method and the website of the standardization body.

This poster presentation explains this methodology and all the elements needed to achieve a confirmed high accuracy of tribological and functional test results on an international basis.