Designation: D 3233 93 (Reapproved 2003)

An American National Standard

Standard Test Methods for

Measurement of Extreme Pressure Properties of Fluid Lubricants (Falex Pin and Vee Block Methods)1
This standard is issued under the xed designation D 3233; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 1.1 These test methods cover two procedures for making a preliminary evaluation of the load-carrying properties of uid lubricants by means of the Falex Pin and Vee Block Test Machine.
NOTE 1Additional information can be found in Appendix X1 regarding coefficient of friction, load gage conversions, and load gage cablibration curve.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. Because the equipment used in these test methods is available only in inch-pound units, the SI units are omitted when referring to the equipment and the test specimens. 1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 2. Referenced Documents 2.1 ASTM Standards: B 16/B 16M Specication for Free-Cutting Brass, Rod, Bar and Shapes for Use in Screw Machines2 D 2670 Test Method for Measuring Wear Properties of Fluid Lubricants (Falex Pen and Vee Block Method)3 D 2783 Test Method for Measurement of Extreme-Pressure Properties of Lubricating Fluids (Four-Ball Method)3 3. Terminology 3.1 Denitions of Terms Specic to This Standard: 3.1.1 actual gage load, nthe value obtained from the gage while running the test and before any corrections are made.

3.1.1.1 DiscussionThis gage reading is irrespective of the particular gage used, and corrections are made by comparison to a standard reference. 3.1.2 direct load, nthat which is applied linearly, bisecting the angle of the vee block corrected to either the 800 or 3000-lbf gage reference. 3.1.2.1 DiscussionThis load is equivalent to the true load times the cos 42. 3.1.3 true load, nthe sum of the applied forces normal to the tangents of contact between the faces of one vee block and the journal pin corrected to the 4500 lbf gage reference line. 3.1.4 true load failure value, nthe true load at which the lubricant tested can no longer support the applied load resulting in either test pin or shear pin breakage, or inability to maintain or increase load. 3.1.4.1 DiscussionThis value is also referred to as the limit of extreme pressure. 4. Summary of Test Methods 4.1 Both test methods consist of running a rotating steel journal at 290 6 10 rpm against two stationary V-blocks immersed in the lubricant sample. Load is applied to the V-blocks by a ratchet mechanism. In Test Method A (Note 1), increasing load is applied continuously. In Test Method B (Note 1), load is applied in 250-lbf (1112-N) increments with load maintained constant for 1 min at each load increment. In both methods the load-fail value obtained is the criteria for level of load-carrying properties. Both methods require calibration of the load gage and reporting of test results as true (corrected) loads rather than actual gage loads.
NOTE 2Test Method A is referred to as the Falex Run-Up Test. Test Method B is referred to as the Falex One-Minute Step Test.

These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D02.L0 on Industrial Lubricants.
Current edition approved Aug. 10, 2003. Published September 2003. Originally approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as D 323393(1998). 2 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 02.01. 3 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01.

5. Signicance and Use 5.1 Evaluations by both test methods differentiate between uids having low, medium, and high levels of extreme-pressure properties. The user should establish any correlation between results by either method and service performance.
NOTE 3Relative ratings by both test methods on the reference uids covered in Table 1 and Table 2 are in good general agreement with

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A

TABLE 1 Results of Cooperative Tests on Reference Fluids L-XI-1-2-A, B, C, D, E (TEST METHOD A)

Laboratory A Test 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 L-XI-1-2-A Fail Load, lbf Gage 1200 1275 800 850 725 650 1400 1400 825 750 1000B 990B 800 700 700 700 750 750 True 840 920 860 900 990 910 1050 1050 900 820 920B 910B 900 800 700 700 600 600 600 1050 854 Repeatability s = 0.0624 r = 0.179 (TL)D
A

L-XI-1-2-B Fail Load, lbf Gage 1200 1275 1000 950 775 750 1100 1250 1000 925 1000 1050 690 660 1000 1000 1250 1000 True 840 920 1050 1025 1020 980 770 900 1060 1000 800 850 800 750 1000 1000 1000 800 775 1037 920

L-XI-1-2-C Fail Load, lbf Gage 4500 + 4500 + 4500 + 4500 + 4500 + 4500 + 4500 + 4500 + 4450 4450 4500 + 4500 + 4000 3750 4500 + 4500 + 4500 + 4500 + True 4100 + 4100 + 4250 + 4250 + 3200 + 3200 + 3500 + 3500 + 4500 + 4500 + 4500 + 4500 + 4275 4000 4500 + 4500 + 3750 + 3750 +

L-XI-1-2-D Fail Load, lbf Gage 4300 4500 + 4100 4300 3950 4100 4500 + 4500 + 4100 4150 3500 2900 3325 3150 3750 4000 4500 + 4500 + True 3950 4100 + 3900 4100 2900 3000 3500 + 3500 + 4475 4500 4500 3510 3625 3450 3750 4000 3750 + 3750 + 2950C 4488C 3809C Reproducibility S = 0.140 R = 0.402 (TL)D

L-XI-1-2-E Fail Load, lbf Gage 2600 2400 2050 1950 1350 1300 2900 2650 1825 1825 1850 1720 1430 1500 1900 1650 1750 1750 True 2100 1925 2050 1950 1460 1430 2150 1975 1970 1970 1900 1720 1600 1675 1900 1650 1450 1450 1445 2063 1796

Min Avg Max Avg Grand Avg

Reference uids used and described in Test Method D 2783. Calibration curves shifted. Six laboratories. D TL = average true load, lbf, of sample tested.
B C

four-ball weld-point relative ratings obtained on these same reference uids, covered in Test Method D 2783.

6. Apparatus 6.1 Falex Pin and Vee Block Test Machine,4 illustrated in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and Fig. 3, tted with 4500-lbf (20 000-N) gage or 3000-lbf (13 350-N) gage. 6.2 Required for Calibration: 6.2.1 Allen Screw, with attached 10-mm Brinnell ball.5 6.2.2 Back-Up Plug.5 6.2.3 Standard Test Coupon,5 soft, annealed copper, Hb 3739. 6.2.4 Brinnell Microscope, or equivalent. 6.2.5 Timer, graduated in seconds and minutes. 6.2.6 Rule, steel, 6-in. (approximately 150-mm) long.

7. Reagents and Materials 7.1 Standard Coined-Blocks,5 96 6 1 angle, AISI C-1137 steel, HRC 20 to 24, surface nish 5 to 10 in. (1.3 3 107 to 2.5 3 107m), rms. 7.2 Standard Test Journals,5 14 in. (6.35 mm) outside diameter by 114 in. (31.75 mm) long, AISI 3135 steel, HRB 87 to 91 on 7 a ground at surface, surface nish 5 to 10 in. (1.3 3 10 to 2.5 3 107 m) rms. 7.3 Locking Pins,5 12 H brass, conforming to Specication B 16/B 16M. 7.4 Solvent, safe, nonlming, nonchlorinated.
NOTE 4Petroleum distillate and benzene, formerly used as solvents in this method, have been eliminated due to possible toxic effects. Each user should select a solvent that can meet applicable safety standards and still thoroughly clean the parts.

4 The Falex Pin and Vee Block Test Machine, available from the Falex Corp., 1020 Airpark Dr., Sugar Grove, IL 60554 has been found satisfactory for this purpose. A new model of this machine has been available since 1983. Certain operating procedures are different for this new model. Consult instruction manual of machine for this information. 5 Available from Falex Corp., 1020 Airpark Dr., Sugar Grove, IL 60554.

8. Preparation of Apparatus 8.1 Cleaning: 8.1.1 Thoroughly clean the V-blocks, test journals, lubricant cup, and supports for V-blocks and test journals by washing, successively, with solvent selected in 7.4. Dry the V-blocks, test journals, lubricant cup, and supports by allowing the nal solvent to evaporate in air.
2

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TABLE 2 Results of Cooperative Tests on Reference Fluids L-XI-1-2-A, B, C, D, EA (TEST METHOD B)
Laboratory A L-XI-1-2-A Fail Load, lbf Test Gage 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1100 1100 670 670 520 520 1600 1600 700 700 1075B 1075B 660 660 750 750 930 930 True 750 750 750 750 750 750 1250 1250 750 750 1000B 1000B 750 750 750 750 750 750 750 1250 833 Repeatability s = 0.0624 r = 0.179 (TL)E
A

L-XI-1-2-B Fail Load, lbf Gage 1400 1400 940 670 520 790 1080 1080 925 925 950 950 660 800 1000 1000 910 910 True 1000 1000 1000 750 750 1000 750 750 1000 1000 750 750 750 1000 1000 1000 750 750 750 1000 875

L-XI-1-2-C Fail Load, lbf Gage 4150 4350 4200 3900 4100 + 4100 + 4500 + 4500 + 3850 4150 3350 3500 3500 3200 3500 4000 4400 4400 True 3750 4000 4000 3750 3000 + 3000 + 3500 + 3500 + 4250 4500 4250 4500 3750 3500 3500 4000 3750 3750 3625C 4375C 3932C

L-XI-1-2-D Fail Load, lbf Gage 4350 4150 3900 4200 4100 4100 + 4500 + 4500 + 3850 3650 3350 3050 3000 2800 4250 4000 4400 + 4400 + True 4000 3750 3750 4000 3000 3000 + 3500 + 3500 + 4250 4000 4250 3750 3250 3000 4250 4000 3750 + 3750 + 3125D 4125D 3837D Reproducibility S = 0.137 R = 0.391 (TL)E

L-XI-1-2-E Fail Load, lbf Gage 2750 2200 2000 1750 1750 1750 3000 3300 1380 1850 1925 1560 1550 1350 1500 1750 1800 1800 True 2250 1750 2000 1750 1750 1750 2250 2500 1500 2000 2000 1500 1750 1500 1500 1750 1500 1500 1500 2375 1846

Min Avg Max Avg Grand Avg

Reference uids used and described in Test Method D 2783. Calibration curves shifted. C Seven laboratories. D Six laboratories. E TL = average true load, lbf, of sample tested.
B

FIG. 1 Schematic Diagram of Falex Standard Pin and Vee Block Test Machine

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FIG. 2 Falex Digital Pin and Vee Block Test Machine

Load, lbf (N) (Ordinate) 500 1000 1500 2000 (2224) (4450) (6672) (8896) Diameter, mm (Abscissa) 2.62 3.42 4.00 4.47

NOTE 5Fig. 3 shows the true-load calibration curve for the prescribed 4500-lbf (20 000-N) gage, prepared as covered in 9.1. Copies of Fig. 4, 8 by 11 in., are available at a nominal cost from ASTM. Although not originally used in development of these test methods, the 3000-lb direct reading load gage should be satisfactory providing results are corrected and reported with respect to the true load (4500-lbf) reference line. Refer to Test Method D 2670 for calibration of 3000-lb load gage.
FIG. 3 Exploded View of V-Blocks and Journal Arrangement, Falex Pin and Vee Block Test Machines

10. Calibration of Load Gage 4500 lbf (20 000 N) 10.1 Remove the Allen set screw and 12-in. (12.70-mm) ball from the left jaw socket (Fig. 5). 10.2 Insert the special Allen screw with the attached 10-mm Brinnell ball into the working face of the left jaw. Adjust so that the ball projects about 532 in. (approximately 4 mm) from the face of the jaw. 10.3 Insert the back-up plug in the counterbore of the right-hand jaw. Adjust so that the plug projects about 132 in. (approximately 0.8 mm) from the face. 10.4 Support the standard test coupon so that the upper edge of the coupon is about 332 in. (approximately 2.5 mm) below the upper surface of the jaws. Place a steel rule across the face of the jaws. Adjust the Allen screw with the attached 10-mm ball until the face of the jaws are parallel to the steel rule with the test coupon in position for indentation. 10.5 With the test coupon in position for the rst impression, place the load gage assembly on the level arms. Remove the slack from the assembly by moving the ratchet wheel by hand. 10.6 Place the loading lever on the ratchet wheel and actuate the motor. Allow the motor to run until the load gage indicates a load of 500 lbf (2224 N). A slight take-up on the ratchet wheel is required to hold the load due to the ball sinking into the test coupon. After a 500-lbf (2224-N) load is obtained, hold for 1 min for the indentation to form.
4

8.1.2 After cleaning, handle the test pieces with care to prevent contamination. Particularly, avoid contact of ngers with mating surfaces of V-blocks and test journals. 8.2 Assembly: 8.2.1 Insert the test journal into the test shaft and secure with a new brass locking pin, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3. 8.2.2 Insert the V-blocks into the recesses of the loading device and swing the V-blocks inward to contact the journal so that the V-grooves are aligned with the journal major axis, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3. 8.2.3 Place 60 mL of test lubricant in the lubricant cup and raise the cup so that the V-blocks are immersed in the test lubricant. With highly viscous uids, open the jaws slightly to ensure that the wear surfaces are covered with the lubricant. 8.2.4 Place the automatic loading device, with attached gage, on the jaw arms. 9. Preparation of True Load Calibration Curve 9.1 On log-log paper (K & E 467080 or equivalent) draw a straight-line plot of load, pounds-force (newtons) (ordinate), versus indentation diameter, millimetres (abscissa) using the data points shown below. Label this curve True Load (Note 5).

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FIG. 4 Calibration Curve for 4500-lb Gage, Using 37-39 HB Copper Coupon

should be separated by a minimum distance of 2.5 times the diameter of the initial indentation. Check the alignment of the jaws, and repeat the procedure described in 10.6 at gage loads of 1000, 1500, and 2000 lbf (4448, 6672, and 8896 N). 10.8 Remove the load gage assembly and test coupon and measure the diameter of each indentation to 0.01 mm with a microscope. Make three measurements of the indentation diameter, rotating the test coupon to ensure that no two measurements represent the same points. Average the three measurements of each impression and record. 10.9 Plot the four impression readings on the same log-log plot of true load prepared as prescribed in 9.1 and shown as Fig. 4. Draw a straight line through the four impression readings and label the line Actual Gage Load.
NOTE 6Currently, load gages are calibrated at the factory such that the actual 4500-lb gage load is equivalent to true load. Periodic calibrations should be made to ensure correct values are being reported for true load.

TEST METHOD A
FIG. 5 Schematic Drawing of Calibration Accessories for Falex Pin and Vee Block Test Machines

10.7 Turn off the machine and back off the load until the test coupon is free of the jaws. Advance the test coupon approximately 38 in. (approximately 9.5 mm). Additional indentations
5

11. Determination of Actual Gage Load for Run-In 11.1 The procedure, Section 12, requires a run-in at an actual gage load equivalent to 300-lbf (1334-N) true load (264-lbf direct load). This actual gage load is obtained as follows from the plot of actual gage load and true load prepared in Sections 9 and 10: Locate 300 lbf (1334 N) on the true load

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curve (264-lbf direct load). Through this point draw a vertical line to intersect the actual gage load curve. Through this point of intersection draw a horizontal line to the left-hand or right-hand load scale and read the actual gage load value. Record this actual gage load for run-in on a suitable reporting form.
NOTE 7A suitable reporting form for Test Methods A and B, and data obtained on one of the reference uids by one of the cooperating laboratories, is shown in Table 3. Fig. 6 shows the calibration curves used by the laboratory reporting the data in Table 3.

obtained. Record the gage load at failure. Record 4500 lbf (20 000 N) if no failure is obtained.
NOTE 9Failure is indicated by (a) breakage of shear pin or test pin, or (b) inability to take up the load automatically by means of the ratchet wheel.

12. Procedure 12.1 Run-In: 12.1.1 Turn on Heat Control switch and heat test lubricant to 120 6 5F (51.7 6 3C); then turn off the switch. 12.1.2 Remove slack from assembly by moving the ratchet wheel by hand. At this setting the torque gage should read zero, or be adjusted to zero. 12.1.3 Actuate the motor, engage the automatic loading ratchet, and increase the load to a gage load equivalent to 300-lbf (1334-N) true load (264-lbf direct load), as determined in 8.1. Disengage the loading ratchet, start the timer, and allow the machine to run at this loading for a 5-min run-in period.
NOTE 8Maintain load at near constant by taking up the load manually or automatically by means of the ratchet wheel if necessary.

12.2.2 Using the calibration curves prepared in Sections 9 and 10, determine and record the true load failure equivalent to the actual gage load failure, or, if no failure, the true load equivalent to the highest indicated actual gage load, with a plus ( + ) sign after the true load value.
NOTE 10To convert actual gage load to true load, locate the gage load on the actual gage load curve. Through this point draw a vertical line to intersect the true load curve. Through this point of intersection draw a horizontal line to the left-hand or right-hand load scale and read the true load value.

TEST METHOD B 13. Determination of Actual Gage Load for Run-In and 250-lbf (1112-N) True Load Increments 13.1 The procedure, Section 14, requires a run-in at an actual gage load equivalent to 300-lbf (1334-N) true load (264-lbf direct load), and testing at incremental gage loadings equivalent to 250-lbf (1112-N) true load (224-lbf direct load) over the range from 500 to 4500-lbf (2224 to 20 000-N) true load (412 to 2885-lbf direct load). Determine the equivalent actual gage loads as prescribed in Section 8, and Test Method A. Record on a suitable reporting form, such as shown in Table 3.

12.2 Test: 12.2.1 Re-engage the automatic loading ratchet and leave it engaged until failure (Note 9) or until the highest indicated actual gage reading is reached. Stop the motor at failure or at the highest indicated actual gage load when no failure is

TABLE 3 Suggested Report Form, Test Methods A and B, Showing Data

Operator: Laboratory A Test Sample: L-XI-1-2-E Calibration Indentation Results: TEST METHOD A Run-In: 5 min at Gage Type: 500 lbf = 1000 lbf = 2.13 2.90 mm mm 1500 lbf = 2000 lbf = 3.53 4.06 mm mm

520

lbf actual gage load, equivalent to 300 lbf true load. Actual Gate Load, lbf, at Failure 2600 2400

Equivalent True Load, lbf at Failure 2100 1925

Test No. 1 Test No. 2 TEST METHOD B Run-In: 5 min at True Load, lbf 500 750 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000 2250 2500 2750 3000 3250 3500 3750 4000 4250 4500 520

lbf actual gage load, equivalent to 300 lbf true load. Equivalent Actual Gage Load, lbf 800 1100 1400 1650 1950 2200 2450 2750 3000 3200 3400 3700 3900 4150 4350 Test No. 1 pass pass pass pass pass pass pass fail Test No. 2 pass pass pass pass pass fail

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FIG. 6 Calibration Curves Used by Laboratory Reporting Data Shown in Table 1

14. Procedure 14.1 Run-InUse the same procedure as prescribed in 12.1, Test Method A. 14.2 Test: 14.2.1 Re-engage the automatic loading ratchet and leave it engaged until the actual gage reading is equivalent to 500-lbf (2224-N) true load (412-lbf direct load), as determined in Section 13. Run for 1 min at this loading.
NOTE 11Maintain load at near constant at this load and at subsequent incremental loading by taking up the load by means of the ratchet wheel when necessary. NOTE 12Keep the motor running after run-in and throughout subsequent loadings.

TEST METHODS A AND B 15. Report 15.1 Report the true load value at which failure occurred. 15.2 If no failure is obtained, report the last true load run, with a plus ( + ) sign after the value. 16. Precision and Bias 16.1 The precision of these test methods as determined by statistical examination of interlaboratory results is as follows (see Note 15): 16.1.1 RepeatabilityThe difference between two test results, obtained by the same operator with the same apparatus under constant operating conditions on identical test material, would in the long run, in the normal and correct operation of the test method, exceed the following values only in one case in twenty:
Test Method A, 27 % of the mean Test Method B, 24 % of the mean

14.2.2 Increase actual gage loads in the increments equivalent to 250-lbf (1112-N) true load (224-lbf direct load), as determined in Section 13, running for 1 min at each increment loading. Record the load at which failure occurs (Note 14, Note 15). If no failure is obtained, record the last load run with a plus ( + ) sign after the value.
NOTE 13Failure is indicated by (a) breakage of shear pin or test pin, or (b) inability to increase or maintain load by means of the ratchet wheel. NOTE 14If failure occurs during run-up between load increments, record the higher increment load as fail.

14.2.3 Determine and record the true load failure equivalent as described in 12.2.2.
7

16.1.2 ReproducibilityThe difference between two, single and independent results obtained by different operators working in different laboratories on identical test material would, in the long run, in the normal and correct operation of the test method, exceed the following values only in one case in twenty:

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Test Method A, 40 % of the mean Test Method B, 43 % of the mean

tests on L-XI-1-2-A, B, C, D, and E, covered in Table 1 and Table 2. These are the same reference uids used and described in Test Method D 2783.

16.2 BiasThe procedure in this test method has no bias because the value of the Falex Extreme Pressure Failure Load can be dened only in terms of a test method.
NOTE 15The precision data were derived from results of cooperative

17. Keywords 17.1 extreme pressure; Falex Pin and Vee Block; loadcarrying; lubricant; wear

APPENDIX
(Nonmandatory Information) X1. COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION CALCULATION AND LOAD GAGE CONVERSIONS

X1.1 See Figs. X1.1-X1.3.

FIG. X1.1 Falex #0 Pin and Vee Block Coefficient of Friction Calculation

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FIG. X1.2 Contact Load (Normal) per Vee Block Face and Typical Falex Load Gage Conversions

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FIG. X1.3 Calibration Curve Falex Load Gages

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