ASTM D6184 Test Method for Oil Separation from Lubricating Grease (Conical Sieve Method)
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The weighed sample is placed in a cone-shaped, wire-cloth sieve, suspended in a beaker, then heated under static conditions for the specified time and temperature. Unless otherwise required by the grease specification, the sample is tested at standard conditions of 100 +/- 0.5°C for 30 +/- 0.25 h. The separated oil is weighed and reported as a percentage of the mass of the starting test sample.

5. Significance and Use
5.1 When a lubricating grease separates oil, the residual material changes in consistency, which can affect the ability of the product to function as designed. Test results obtained with this procedure are intended to correlate with oil separation that occurs in 35-lb pails of grease during storage. They are not intended to predict oil separation tendencies of grease under dynamic service conditions.

NOTE 1 - No quantitative relationship between results and oil separation in 35-lb pails has been developed.

5.2 This test method is used for specifications and quality control.

NOTE 2 - No data has been developed to compare results between this test method and Test Methods D1742.