ASTM Test Acceptance    4Q 2008

Approving the tests that will qualify the oils

Creating a new motor oil specification usually requires some new tests to determine if oils meet the necessary performance requirements.

The Sequence VID is such a test.  ILSAC/OIL created the Sequence VID Test Development Consortium to develop a new Fuel Economy Test for GF-5.

After the test is developed and reviewed by the ILSAC/OIL Sequence VID Test Development Consortium, the Consortium develops a draft procedure and validates that it works for the purpose intended.

Following test development work done by the Sequence VID Test Development Consortium,  an ASTM test development panel writes the procedure into ASTM format and presents it to the ASTM PCEOCP for acceptance.  If the procedure is approved, the Test Development panel prepares a ballot for ASTM approval. 

Once approved, the test procedure is documented as an ASTM standard. The standard includes:

• a detailed description on how to run a valid test
• what the test is intended to measure
• a summary of relevant sub-tests
• detailed hardware requirements
• reference fluids
• length of test
• test calibration
• test precision

Test Precision Matrices have been developed to help the industry determine the precision and accuracy of any new test procedure.
 
These tests become the foundation of the lubricant evaluation process and are used to determine if a motor oil has the physical and performance characteristics needed to meet a specification such as GF-5.

Test Acceptance is a major milestone along the way to GF-5.  It is targeted for late 4Q 2008.