ASTM D6078 Standard Test Method for Evaluating Lubricity of Diesel Fuels
ASTM D6078 Standard Test Method for Evaluating Lubricity of Diesel Fuels by the Scuffing Load Ball-on-Cylinder Lubricity Evaluator (SLBOCLE)
9. Preparation of Apparatus
9.1 Test Rings, (as received):
9.1.1 If test rings are covered with a wax-like protective coating or with grease, then strip this coating off by rubbing them with a clean paper towel saturated with isooctane.
9.1.2 Place rings in a clean beaker. Transfer a sufficient volume of a 1 to 1 mixture of isooctane and isopropyl alcohol to the beaker so that the test rings are completely covered.
9.1.3 Place the beaker in ultrasonic cleaner and turn on for 15 min.
9.1.4 Remove the test rings and repeat the ultrasonic cleaning cycle of 9.1.1.1 and 9.1.1.2 with a clean beaker and fresh solvents.
9.1.5 Handle all clean test rings with clean forceps. Remove test rings from beaker and rinse with isooctane, dry and rinse with acetone.
9.1.6 Dry and store in a desiccator.
NOTE 2 - The parts can dry by sitting until the acetone has evaporated or the drying can be speeded up using a compressed air (7.2) jet at 140 to 210 kPa pressure.
9.2 Test Balls, (as received):
9.2.1 Place balls in a clean beaker. Transfer a sufficient volume of a 1 to 1 mixture of isooctane and isopropyl alcohol to the beaker so that the test balls are completely covered by the cleaning solvent.
9.2.2 Place the beaker in the ultrasonic cleaner and turn on for 15 min.
9.2.3 Repeat the cleaning cycle of 9.1.2.1 and 9.1.2.2 with a clean beaker and fresh solvent.
9.2.4 Remove and rinse with isooctane; dry and rinse with acetone.
9.2.5 Dry and store in a desiccator.
9.3 Reservoir, Reservoir Cover, Ball Chuck, Ball Lock Ring, and Ring Mandrel Assembly Components:
9.3.1 Rinse with isooctane.
9.3.2 Clean for 5 min. in an ultrasonic cleaner with a 1 to 1 mixture of isooctane and isopropyl alcohol.
9.3.3 Remove and rinse with isooctane, dry and rinse with acetone.
9.3.4 Dry and store in a desiccator.
9.4 Hardware:
9.4.1 The hardware and utensils (drive shaft, wrenches, and tweezers) that come in contact with the test fluid shall be cleaned by washing thoroughly with isooctane and wiping with a lint-free cloth.
9.4.2 Store parts in a desiccator when not in use.
9.5 After Test:
9.5.1 Remove reservoir and cylinder.
9.5.2 Disassemble components and clean for 5 min in an ultrasonic cleaner using a 1 to 1 mixture of isooctane and isopropyl alcohol. Rinse with isooctane, dry, and rinse with acetone. Reassemble components.
9.5.3 Dry and store in a desiccator.
9.5.4 Exercise care to ensure that the fuel aeration tube is rinsed and dried during the cleaning procedure. Store parts in a desiccator when not in use.
10. Test Apparatus Inspection and Verification
10.1 Inspection - Visually inspect, with the naked eye, test balls and rings before each test. Discard specimens that exhibit pits, corrosion, or surface abnormalities.
10.2 Reference Fluids:
10.2.1 Test each new batch of the reference fluids as follows:
10.2.2 Verify test performance and accuracy at least once every twelve fuels, at the two loads provided with reference fluids A and B.
10.2.3 Calculate the maximum friction coefficient for each applied load in accordance with Section 13.
10.2.4 Additional tests are necessary if the applied load in grams on Reference Fluids A or B lie outside the acceptable range as discussed in 10.2.5.
10.2.5 Acceptable ranges for the lubricity values of reference fluids will be determined by an interlaboratory round robin and will be provided with each fluid at the time of purchase.
10.3 Leveling of Load Arm:
10.3.1 The level of the load arm shall be inspected prior to each test. Level the motor platform by use of the circular bubble level and adjustable stainless steel legs.
10.3.2 Install a test ball in the retaining nut as described in 11.3.
10.3.3 Disengage the load arm pull pin and lower the load arm. Attach required weight to end of load beam. Lower ball onto ring manually.
10.3.4 Check level on top of load arm. The indicator bubble shall be centered in the middle of the two lines. If required, adjust the retaining nut screw to achieve a level load arm.
10.4 Assembly of Cylinder:
10.4.1 Place a clean test ring on the mandrel and bolt the back plate to the mandrel.
