ASTM F2489-06(2022)
Standard Guide for Instrument and Precision Bearing Lubricants—Part 2 Greases

Standard No.

ASTM F2489-06(2022)

Release Date

2022

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Latest

ASTM F2489-06(2022)

Scope

1.1 This guide is a tool to aid in the choice of lubricating grease for precision rolling element bearing applications. The recommendations in this guide are not intended for general purpose bearing applications There are two areas where this guide should have the greatest impact: (1) when lubricating grease is being chosen for a new bearing application and (2) when grease for a bearing has to be replaced because the original grease specified for the bearing can no longer be obtained. The Report (see Section 5) contains a series of tests on a wide variety of greases commonly used in bearing applications to allow comparisons of those properties of the grease that the committee thought to be most important when making a choice of lubricating grease. Each test was performed by the same laboratory. This guide contains a listing of the properties of greases by base oil type, that is, ester, perfluoropolyether (PFPE), polyalphaolefin (PAO), and so forth. This organization is necessary since the operational requirements in a particular bearing application may limit the choice of grease to a particular base oil type and thickener due to its temperature stability, viscosity index or temperature-vapor pressure characteristics, etc. The guide provides data to assist the user in selecting replacement greases for those greases tested that are no longer available. The guide also includes a glossary of terms used in describing/discussing the lubrication of precision and instrument bearings. 1.2 The lubricating greases presented in this guide are commonly used in precision rolling element bearings (PREB). These greases were selected for the testing based on the grease survey obtained from DoD, OEM and grease manufactures and evaluated according to the test protocol that was designed by Subcommittee F34 on Tribology. This test protocol covers the essential requirements identified for precision bearing greases. The performance requirements of these greases are very unique. They are dictated by the performance expectations of precision bearings including high speed, low noise, extended life, and no contamination of surrounding components by the bearing’s lubricant system. To increase the reliability of test data, all tests were performed by a DoD laboratory and three independent testing laboratories. There were no grease manufacturer’s data imported except for base oil viscosity. Most of tests were performed by U.S. Army Tank–Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) and three independent laboratories, and the results were monitored by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). This continuity of testing should form a solid basis for comparing the properties of the multitude of lubricating greases tested by avoiding some of the variability introduced when greases are tested by different laboratories using different or even the “same” procedures. Additional test data will be considered for inclusion, provided the defined protocol is followed and the tests are performed by independent laboratories. 1.3 This study was a part of DoD Aging Aircraft Replacement Program and supported by Defense Logistic Agent (DLA) and Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR).2 1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.5 This 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.6 This 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. 1 This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F34 on Rolling Element Bearings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F34.02 on Tribology. Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2022. Published August 2022. Originally approved in 2006. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as F2489–06(2013). DOI: 10.1520/F2489-06R22. 2 Rhee, In-Sik, “Precision Bearing Grease Selection Guide,” U.S. Army TARDEC Technical Report No. 15688, Defense Technical Information Center, 8725 John. J. Kingman Rd., Suite 0944, Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060–6218. Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States This 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. 1 2. Referenced Documents

ASTM F2489-06(2022) Referenced Document

• ASTM D1264 Standard Test Method for Determining the Water Washout Characteristics of Lubricating Greases
• ASTM D1742 Standard Test Method for Oil Separation from Lubricating Grease During Storage
• ASTM D1743 Standard Test Method for Determining Corrosion Preventive Properties of Lubricating Greases
• ASTM D1831 Standard Test Method for Roll Stability of Lubricating Grease
• ASTM D217 Standard Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
• ASTM D2265 Standard Test Method for Dropping Point of Lubricating Grease Over Wide Temperature Range
• ASTM D2266 Standard Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method)
• ASTM D2596 Standard Test Method for Measurement of Extreme-Pressure Properties of Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method)
• ASTM D3527 Standard Test Method for Life Performance of Automotive Wheel Bearing Grease
• ASTM D4048 Standard Test Method for Detection of Copper Corrosion from Lubricating Grease
• ASTM D4175 Standard Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants*， 2023-07-01 Update
• ASTM D4289 Standard Test Method for Elastomer Compatibility of Lubricating Greases and Fluids
• ASTM D4425 Standard Test Method for Oil Separation From Lubricating Grease by Centrifuging (Koppers Method)
• ASTM D4693 Standard Test Method for Low-Temperature Torque of Grease-Lubricated Wheel Bearings
• ASTM D5483 Standard Test Method for Oxidation Induction Time of Lubricating Greases by Pressure Differential Scanning Calorimetry
• ASTM D972 Standard Test Method for Evaporation Loss of Lubricating Greases and Oils
• ASTM E1131 Standard Test Method for Compositional Analysis by Thermogravimetry
• ASTM F2161 Standard Guide for Instrument and Precision Bearing Lubricants—Part 1 Oils*， 2024-04-21 Update
• ASTM F2488 Standard Terminology for Rolling Element Bearings
• SAE AMS-G-81937 Grease, Instrument, Ultra-Clean, Metric Replaces MIL-G-81937

ASTM F2489-06(2022) history

• 2022 ASTM F2489-06(2022) Standard Guide for Instrument and Precision Bearing Lubricants—Part 2 Greases
• 2006 ASTM F2489-06(2013) Standard Guide for Instrument and Precision Bearing Lubricantsmdash;Part 2 Greases
• 2006 ASTM F2489-06 Standard Guide for Instrument and Precision Bearing Lubricants-Part 2 Greases
• 2005 ASTM F2489-05 Standard Guide for Instrument and Precision Bearing Lubricants-Part 2 Greases