DROPPING POINT OF LUBRICATING GREASE

Group # 9 Tamse, Jan Marvin M.

1. Introduction
1.1
This experiment aims at determining the dropping point of given lubricating
grease.
2. Theoretical Background

3. Material/Equipment Used
3.1
Grease Cup
3.2
Test tube
3.3
Thermometers
4. Methodology
4.1
The cork of the test tube was placed on the first thermometer. This was adjusted
until the bulb reaches at the center of the expected position of the grease cup. The
second thermometer was then suspended in the oil bath in such a way that its bulb
4.2
4.3

will be at the same level as the bulb of the first thermometer.

The cup was filled with grease by pressing the larger opening into the grease.
The cup and the thermometer were placed in the test tube. The test tube was then

4.4

suspended in the oil bath with the oil level within of the rim.
The oil bath was stirred and heated at a rate of 8 to 12 F until the bath reached a
temp of 30F below the expected dropping point. At this point, the rate of heating
was reduced. The slow heating was continued such that the difference between the

4.5

two thermometers is between 2 to 4F.

When a drop of grease was observed, the temperatures on the two thermometers
were then noted and their average was then recorded as the dropping point of the

grease.
5. Data and Discussion
Table 5.1 Calculated dropping point of the lubricating grease
TRIAL
1
2
Trial 1:

DROPPING POINT
192 C
198 C

Grease Temperature: 180 C

Oil Temperature: 204 C
180+ 204
=192 C
Dropping Point:
2
Trial 2:
Grease Temperature: 182 C
Oil Temperature: 214 C
18 2+2 1 4
=198 C
Dropping Point:
2
6. Conclusion
The Dropping point of a lubricating grease represents the temperature where it
starts to drip. This is useful in identifying the working temperatures of a given
lubricating grease. Note that the dropping point indicates the temperature limit
where the grease loses its structure, not the point where it becomes nonfunctional[1].
7. Recommendation
It is recommended that a different grease sample should also be used for the sake
of comparison.
8. Bibliography