DIN 51350 Testing of Lubricants, Testing in a Four-Ball Apparatus, Part 1: Standard Test for General Operating Principles

EUROLAB laboratory provides testing and compliance services within the scope of DIN 51350 standard. This standard specifies a method for determining characteristic values ​​for active-containing lubricants that must allow high surface pressures in the mixed friction area between surfaces moving relative to each other.

The procedure does not allow direct evaluation of the behavior of these lubricants in machine elements. DIN 51350-6 provides information on the shear stability of polymer-based lubricants.

Methods according to this standard can be used for active ingredient lubricants for high surface pressures (called EP lubricants1). We do not recommend testing lubricants that generate frictional vibrations in the tester.

DIN 51350-6 describes a shear test for polymer-based lubricants using a tapered roller bearing as the test device. The specific features of this test are not discussed in detail outside of DIN 51350-6.

The lubricant is tested in a four-ball system consisting of a rotating ball (running ball) sliding on three identical balls (fixed balls). The test forces can be increased gradually until the four-ball system is welded, or with a constant test force, the spherical cap diameters of the fixed balls are measured after a certain test period. A special tapered roller bearing adapter is used when testing shear stability.

EUROLAB assists manufacturers with DIN 51350 test compliance. Our test experts, with their professional working mission and principles, provide you, our manufacturers and suppliers, the best service and controlled testing process in our laboratories. Thanks to these services, businesses receive more effective, high-performance and quality testing services and provide safe, fast and uninterrupted service to their customers.