Work Item
ASTM WK82678
Withdrawal of D566-20 With Replacement D2265-22 Standard Test Method for Dropping Point of Lubricating Grease Over Wide Temperature Range
Rationale
This standard is being balloted for withdrawal because the method creates considerable occupational, environmental, and regulatory challenges and it is believed there is a suitable replacement, D2265, that can be used. A hand-count vote was taken during the June 2022 (Seattle) D02.G0 main committee meeting for withdrawal of D566, with a result of 10 affirmative, 0 negative, and 2 abstaining. One challenge with the method is that it utilizes an oil bath over open flame and creates considerable risk of fire and/or burns to the operator. Another challenge is that the method utilizes thermometers from ASTM E1, mercury in glass thermometers, which are illegal to use is some countries/states, create occupational hazards for the operator, and create disposal challenges when the thermometers that are no longer usable. Key stakeholders have noted that they have been slowly transitioning grease specifications from D566 to D2265 over the last couple of years, so it is believed that this test method is minimally utilized at this point. Any users of D566 should utilize D2265 instead, if possible. Alternately, ISO 2176 (the ISO equivalent to D566) is still active and users can utilize that test method instead.
Work Item Status
Date Initiated: 07-08-2022
Technical Contact: Casey Budd
Item: 011
Ballot: D02 (22-07)
Status: In Balloting