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International Lubricant Evaluation
ACEA* Lubricant Evaluation

Foaming Tendency Evaluation (ASTM D892)

 

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  image of the sample, maintained at a temperature of 24°C(75°F)   image of the volume of foam being measured
 

The sample is maintained at a temperature of 24°C(75°F)

 

The volume of foam is measured.

Foaming tendency laboratory evaluation method ASTM D892 is offered by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) to determine the foaming characteristics of lubricating oils at specified temperatures in the laboratory. The means of empirically rating the tendency to foam and the stability of the foam are described in the foaming tendency test method.



ACEA 2008 Specifications

The foaming tendency evaluation is part of ACEA Specifications:
 

Gasoline and
Diesel Engines
Gasoline and Diesel Engines
with Aftertreatment Devices
Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines
A1/B1-08
A3/B3-08
A3/B4-08
A5/B5-08
C1-08
C2-08
C3-08
C4-08
E4-08
E6-08
E7-08
E9-08

 

 
 

The sample is blown with air at a constant rate for five minutes, then allowed to settle for 10 minutes.

  image of photo of ASTM D892 sample
 

Photo of ASTM D892 sample

ASTM D 892 Evaluation Parameters

A sample, maintained by a temperature of 24°C, is blown with air at a constant rate for 5 minutes and then allowed to settle for 10 minutes. The volume of foam is measured at the end of both periods. The test is repeated on a second sample at 93.5°C and then, after collapsing the foam, at 24°C.


Pass/Fail Criteria

At the end of the ASTM D892 test, the following information is reported:

  • Optional blending (if implemented)

  • Volume of kinetic foam before air disconnect

  • Foam stability

  • Collapse time

  • Foaming tendency (static foam)

  • Total volume before air disconnect

  • Volume of static foam for selected option after disconnect

Gasoline and Diesel Engines
Gasoline and Diesel Engines with Aftertreatment Devices
Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines
E4-08
E6-08
E7-08
Sequence I (24°C) 10/0
Sequence II (94°C) 50/0
Sequence III (24°C) 10/0l
E9-08 Sequence I (24°C) 10/0
Sequence II (94°C) 20/0
Sequence III (24°C) 10/0

 

*Association des Constructeurs Européens d'Automobiles/European Automobile Manufacturers Association.

 

For more information about foaming tendency evaluation (ASTM D892), or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Becky Grinfield at bgrinfield@swri.org or (210) 522-3652.

 

foamtend.swri.org

 

Contact Information

Becky Grinfield

Foaming Tendency Evaluation (ASTM D892)

(210) 522-3652

bgrinfield@swri.org

foamtend.swri.org

Related Terminology

ASTM D892

foaming tendency test

ACEA lubricant test

ACEA 2008 specifications

lubricant analysis

foaming characteristics of lubricating oils

standardized lubricant testing

engine lubricants

 

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Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a multidisciplinary, independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 11 technical divisions.

June 16, 2011