ASTM D6557 Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Rust Preventive Characteristics of Automotive Engine Oils
10. Reference Oil Testing
10.1 Procure a supply of reference oils directly from the TMC.
10.1.1 These oils have been formulated or selected to represent specific chemistry types or performance levels, or both. Each reference oil is identified with a unique identification code on the container label.
10.2 Request a reference oil assignment from the TMC. Assignments are made by the unique identifying codes on the reference oil samples.
10.2.1 Provide the TMC with the shaker table identification for the test.
10.3 Test the assigned reference oil along with each batch of non-reference oil tests, simultaneously with and in the same shaker table as the non-reference oils.
10.3.1 Run the reference oil test in accordance with the same procedure used for the non-reference oil tests.
10.3.2 Inclusion of this coded (that is, blind) reference oil helps protect against the possibility of bias in the testing.
NOTE 5 - Annex A4 discusses the involvement of the TMC with respect to the reference oil-monitoring program.
10.4 The testing laboratory tacitly agrees to use the reference oils in accordance with Policies for Use and Analysis of ASTM Reference Oils, and to run and report the reference oil test results in accordance with TMC guidelines.
10.5 Report the reference oil test results to the TMC in accordance with the following guidelines:
10.5.1 Use the data reporting formats detailed in Annex A5 (see Figs. A5.1 through A5.4) for reporting all reference oil test results to the TMC.
10.5.2 Do not include any non-reference oil test results.
10.5.3 Complete all of the required blank fields on the forms.
10.5.4 Transmit reference oil test data by electronic means or by telephone facsimile to the TMC immediately upon completion of the test analysis.
10.5.4.1 Include all of the reporting forms in the transmission.
NOTE 6 - Specific protocols for the electronic transmission of test data are available from the TMC.
10.6 Upon receipt of the initial reference oil test results, the TMC reviews the data for operational adherence to the published procedure.
10.6.1 If the test is determined to be operationally valid, the test results are then evaluated, using statistical acceptance criteria established by the governing surveillance panel.
10.6.1.1 The acceptance criteria are subject to change at the discretion of the surveillance panel.
10.6.2 If the initial transmitted data is determined to be both operationally valid and statistically acceptable, the TMC notifies the testing laboratory of that finding.
10.6.2.1 The TMC also discloses the uncoded reference oil identification to the testing laboratory.
10.7 In the event that a reference test is determined unacceptable by the TMC, the TMC provides an explanation to the testing laboratory.
10.7.1 If there is an obvious operational problem for the unacceptable test results, the problem has to be corrected before requesting another reference oil assignment from the TMC.
10.7.2 If the reason for the unacceptable results is not obvious, recheck all test-related equipment for compliance with the procedure and good laboratory practice.
10.7.3 Following this rechecking process, the TMC assigns another coded reference oil for testing.
10.8 The non-reference oil tests are considered valid only if the results of the accompanying reference oil test meet the predetermined acceptance criteria for the particular reference oil tested.
