Timken OK Load Test

Description

Determines the ability of lubricating greases to withstand extreme pressures without rupture of the lubricating film (EP properties), protecting equipment from scuffing.

In heavy industry, metallurgy, and mining, bearings operate under colossal loads and shocks. The Timken OK Load analysis from the RENA laboratory is your key tool for confidence that the selected grease with EP (Extreme Pressure) additives will truly protect equipment from scuffing, metal micro-welding, and catastrophic wear under shock loads. This test allows you to unmistakably distinguish an ordinary multipurpose grease from a specialized heavy-duty product. The ASTM D2509 method is a classic and globally recognized standard for evaluating extreme-pressure properties. The test is conducted on a specialized machine where a rotating steel ring (roller) is pressed against a stationary steel test block, and the lubricating grease under test is continuously fed into their contact zone. The load on the system is gradually and meteredly increased using a system of levers and calibrated weights. After each load stage, which lasts exactly 10 minutes, the steel block is removed and carefully examined by the operator under a microscope for signs of scuffing. The "OK Load" is considered the maximum weight in pounds (lbs) at which defects do not yet form on the block, and the wear exhibits the character of uniform and safe run-in. The next incremental load, which already causes surface destruction, is recorded as the "Score Value".