ASTM D6074 Standard Guide for Characterizing Hydrocarbon Lubricant Base Oils
4. Summary of Guide
4.1 This guide suggests a listing of properties and potential contaminants whose determination may be important for a hydrocarbon base oil due to performance, regulatory, or other considerations. Specific application issues such as frequency of testing and the use of other test methods are addressed only in a qualitative manner.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The consistent performance of hydrocarbon lubricant base oils is a critical factor in a wide variety of applications such as engine oils, industrial lubricants, and metalworking fluids. In addition, in many of these applications humans are exposed to the base oils as a component of a formulated product such that health or safety considerations may need to be addressed. This guide suggests a compilation of properties and potential contaminants that are understood by those knowledgeable in the manufacture and use of hydrocarbon lubricants to be of significance in some or all applications. A discussion of each of the suggested properties and potential contaminants is provided in Appendix X1, with each listed alphabetically within four categories.
5.2 Potential sources of base oil variation include the raw material, manufacturing process, operating conditions, storage, transportation, and blending.
5.3 The test methods, base oil properties, and potential contaminants suggested are those that would likely be useful in many common situations, although it is recognized that there are specific applications and situations that could have different requirements. Performance testing related to the specific application should serve as the basis for acceptability.
5.4 Issues such as frequency of testing and the specifics of how the test results are to be applied are not addressed in detail. It is the responsibility of the buyer and seller to determine and agree upon the implementation of this guide. This guide serves as a basis for that discussion.