DIN 51350-1-2008 PDF

Full title and description

STB DIN 51350-1-2008 — Testing of lubricants — Testing in the four‑ball tester — Part 1: General working principles. This document specifies the general working principles, apparatus description and fundamental procedures for performing four‑ball tests used to characterise lubricants (in particular extreme‑pressure / EP and anti‑wear behaviour) in the Shell/four‑ball type tester.

Abstract

This part of DIN 51350 provides the basic definitions, test apparatus requirements, preparatory procedures and general test parameters for four‑ball testing of lubricants. It is intended to establish reproducible working principles that are applied across the DIN 51350 series (other parts define specific test methods such as welding load, wear characteristics and tests for greases or polymer‑containing lubricants). The standard gives guidance on test pieces, machine settings, reporting of results and limitations of the method.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn / superseded by later editions of DIN 51350‑1 (subsequent editions published after 2008).
• Publication date: 2008 (date of issue reported around 20 October – 1 November 2008, published as DIN 51350‑1:2008).
• Publisher: DIN — Deutsches Institut für Normung (German Institute for Standardization).
• ICS / categories: 75.100 — Lubricants, industrial oils and related products.
• Edition / version: DIN 51350‑1:2008 (often shown as 2008‑11 edition); later revisions issued (2010, 2014/2015 editions).
• Number of pages: Typical publishing references list the 2008 edition as 5 pages (later editions show slightly different page counts).

Scope

Specifies the general working principles for testing lubricants in a four‑ball tester: the required apparatus features, sample preparation, general test procedure framework, recording and presentation of results, and limitations or cautions on interpretation. It is intended to be used in conjunction with other parts of the DIN 51350 series which define particular test procedures (for example, welding load or wear‑value determinations). The scope emphasises reproducibility of conditions for comparative evaluation of EP and anti‑wear additives rather than predicting in‑service behaviour of lubricated machine elements.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and description of the four‑ball (Shell) tester and its main components (balls, holder, drive, thermometer and load application system).
• General test conditions and machine settings to ensure repeatability (temperature control, preload, speed, duration, and measurement of end results such as scar/ crater diameter and welding load where applicable).
• Requirements for test specimens (ball material, surface finish, cleaning and conditioning).
• Instructions for reporting results and relevant units, plus notes on uncertainty and limits of comparability between laboratories.
• Reference to related parts of the series that specify particular methods (e.g., part 2 — welding load, part 3/5 — wear characteristics, part 6 — shear tests for polymer‑containing lubricants).

Typical use and users

Used by lubricant manufacturers, independent testing laboratories, quality‑control and R&D teams to characterise anti‑wear and extreme‑pressure properties of oils and greases, and to compare additive packages. Also used by standards and conformity bodies for method harmonisation and by equipment manufacturers for test‑machine design and verification. The document is a procedural foundation and is commonly paired with the parts of DIN 51350 that define specific determinations.

Related standards

Other parts of the DIN 51350 series (e.g., DIN 51350‑2 (welding load), DIN 51350‑3 (wear characteristics of liquid lubricants), DIN 51350‑5 (wear characteristics for greases), DIN 51350‑6 (shear tests for polymer‑containing lubricants)). Comparable test methods are also found in other national and international standards for four‑ball testing (for example older Shell‑type four‑ball test methods and equivalents published by international committees or other standards bodies).

Keywords

four‑ball tester; Shell four‑ball; lubricants; EP (extreme pressure); anti‑wear; welding load; wear scar; test apparatus; test method; DIN 51350.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: DIN 51350‑1:2008 is Part 1 of the DIN 51350 series and defines the general working principles and apparatus requirements for testing lubricants in the four‑ball tester. It establishes the baseline procedural and equipment requirements used across the series.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the general procedure framework, equipment description, specimen requirements, and reporting conventions for four‑ball lubricant testing. Specific determinations (e.g., welding load, wear‑value measurement) are defined in other parts of the series.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Lubricant manufacturers, independent test laboratories, R&D and quality control teams, and standards bodies that need a repeatable method for comparing EP and anti‑wear performance of lubricants.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2008 edition has been superseded by later editions of DIN 51350‑1 (references exist to 2010, 2014/2015 revisions). Many catalogue records list the 2008 edition as withdrawn in favour of subsequent revisions — users should check the latest DIN catalogue or national standards body for the current active edition before relying on the 2008 text.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 1 of the DIN 51350 series (other parts address specific test methods and applications within the four‑ball tester family).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: four‑ball, Shell four‑ball, lubricants, EP, anti‑wear, welding load, wear scar, DIN 51350.