ASTM D5001 Standard Test Method for Measurement of Lubricity of Aviation Turbine Fuels by the Ball-on-Cylinder Lubricity Evaluator (BOCLE)
6. Apparatus
6.1 For details of the Ball-On-Cylinder Lubricity Evaluator (BOCLE), apparatus required for each method see: Annex A1 for the semi-automatic method, Annex A2 for the fully automatic method.
6.2 Microscope, capable of 1003 magnification and suitable of measuring the wear scar on the ball to the nearest 0.01 mm.
6.2.1 Method of Measuring the Wear Scar - This may be either a Glass Slide Micrometer, with a scale ruled in 0.01 mm divisions, or a digital micrometer and slide assembly, having a resolution of at least 0.01 mm.
6.3 Cleaning Bath - Ultrasonic seamless stainless steel tank with a capacity of 1.9 L and a cleaning power of 40W.
6.4 The test requirements are listed in Table 1.
7. Reagents and Materials
7.1 Test Ring, of SAE 8720 steel, having a Rockwell hardness "C" scale, (HRC) number of 58 to 62 and a surface finish of 0.56 to 0.71 µm root mean square. The dimensions are given in Fig. 1.
7.2 Test Ball, chrome alloy steel, made from AISI standard steel No. E-52100, with a diameter of 12.7 mm, Grade 5 to 10 EP finish. The balls are described in ANSI Specifications B3.12. The extra-polish finish is not described in that specification. The HRC shall be 64 to 66, a closer limit than is found in the ANSI requirement.
7.3 Additional Equipment - Details of additional items of test equipment specific to each test method are given in the appropriate annex.
7.4 Compressed Air (Warning - Compressed gas under high pressure. Use with extreme caution in the presence of combustible material, since the autoignition temperatures of most organic compounds in air are drastically reduced at elevated pressures. See A3.1.), containing less than 0.1 ppm hydrocarbons and 50 ppm water.
7.5 Desiccator, containing a non-indicating drying agent, capable of storing test rings, balls, and hardware.
7.6 Gloves, clean, lint-free, cotton, disposable.
7.7 Wiper, wiping tissue, light duty, lint free, hydrocarbon free, disposable.
7.8 Isooctane (Warning - Extremely flammable. Harmful if inhaled. Vapors may cause flash fires. See A3.2.), conforming to American Chemical Society (ACS) Reagent/General Purpose Reagent (GPR) grade standards, 95 % purity minimum, 2,2,4-trimethylpentane.
7.9 Isopropyl Alcohol (Warning - Flammable. See A3.3.), conforming to ACS Reagent/GPR grade standards.
7.10 Acetone (Warning - Extremely flammable. Vapors may cause flash fire. See A3.4.), conforming to ACS Reagent/GPR grade standards.
7.11 Reference Fluids:
7.11.1 Fluid A - A mixture shall contain 30 mg/kg of a specific fuel soluble corrosion inhibitor/lubricity improver conforming to MIL-I-25017 (Warning - Flammable. Vapor harmful. See A3.5.), in fluid B 7,13 (Warning - Flammable. Vapor harmful. See A3.5.).
7.11.2 Fluid B - Shall be a narrow-cut isoparaffinic solvent. (Warning - Flammable. Vapor harmful. See A3.5.)
7.11.3 The reference fluids shall be stored in epoxy lined containers or borosilicate glass bottles with aluminum foil or PTFE lined insert caps. Borosilicate glass bottles shall be stored in a dark area.
8. Sampling, Test Specimens, and Test Units
8.1 Cleaning ofApparatus and Test Components:
8.1.1 Test Rings, as Received:
8.1.1.1 The test rings shall be partially stripped of any protective coatings by manually rubbing them with rags or paper towels saturated with isooctane.
8.1.1.2 Place partially cleaned rings in a clean 500 mL beaker. Transfer a sufficient volume of a 1 to 1 mixture of isooctane (2,2,4-trimethyl pentane) and isopropyl alcohol to the beaker such that the test rings are completely covered.
8.1.1.3 Place beaker in ultrasonic cleaner and turn on for 15 min.
8.1.1.4 Remove test rings and repeat ultrasonic cleaning cycle of 8.1.1.3 with a clean beaker and fresh solvents.
8.1.1.5 Handle all clean test rings with clean forceps or disposable gloves. Remove test rings from beaker and rinse with isooctane, dry, and rinse with acetone.
NOTE 1 - Drying operations can be accomplished using a compressed air jet at 140 to 210 kPa pressure.
8.1.1.6 Dry and store in a desiccator.
8.1.2 Test Balls, as Received.
8.1.2.1 Place balls in 300 mL beaker. Transfer a sufficient volume of a 1 to 1 mixture of isooctane and isopropyl alcohol to the beaker such that the test balls are completely covered by the cleaning solvent.
NOTE 2 - Approximately a five-day supply can be processed at one time.
8.1.2.2 Place beaker in ultrasonic cleaner and turn on for 15 min.
8.1.2.3 Repeat the cleaning cycle of 8.1.2.2 with a clean beaker and fresh solvent.
8.1.2.4 Remove and rinse with isooctane, dry, and rinse with acetone.
8.1.2.5 Dry and store in a desiccator.
8.1.3 Reservoir, Reservoir Cover, Ball Chuck, Lock Ring, Mandrel Assembly (Method A, Semi Automatic Method) Test Ring Assembly (Method B, Fully Automatic Method), and all other parts which come into direct contact with the test fuel (refer to the appropriate annex).
8.1.3.1 Rinse with isooctane.
8.1.3.2 Clean in an ultrasonic cleaner with a 1:1 mixture of isooctane and isopropyl alcohol for 5 min.
8.1.3.3 Remove and rinse with isooctane, dry, and rinse with acetone.
8.1.3.4 Store in a desiccator until required.
8.1.4 Hardware:
8.1.4.1 The hardware and utensils, that is, any part that comes in contact with the test fluid shall be cleaned by washing thoroughly with isooctane and wiped with a wiper.
8.1.4.2 Store parts in desiccator when not in use.
8.1.5 After Test:
8.1.5.1 Remove reservoir and test ring.
8.1.5.2 Disassemble components and clean in an ultrasonic cleaner using a 1 to 1 mixture of isooctane and isopropyl alcohol for 5 min. Rinse with isooctane, dry, and rinse with acetone. Reassemble components.
8.1.5.3 Dry and store in a desiccator.
NOTE 3 - When testing the same fluid, it is permissible to clean the reservoir by hand. The reservoir is rinsed with isooctane. Wipe with disposable wiper to remove residual fuel related deposits and test debris. The reservoir is rinsed again with isooctane. Dry and final rinse with acetone, dry.
8.1.5.4 Store parts in desiccator when not in use.
8.1.5.5 Semi-Automatic (Method A) Only - Care shall be taken to ensure that the fuel aeration tube is rinsed and dried during the cleaning procedure. Store parts in desiccator when not in use.
