ASTM D6813-02a - 10.11.2002
 
1. Scope

1.1 This guide establishes test protocols and methodologies for determining the suitability of fluids for use in fluid power systems that incorporate axial or radial piston pumps. The suitability of all fluid types to meet specific levels of performance in piston pumps is addressed. These fluids include, but are not limited to formulations based on mineral, synthetic or vegetable oil base stocks. The finished fluids may be in the form of straight oils, soluble oils or invert emulsions.

1.2 The test protocols and methodologies described in this guide have been selected for their ability to distinguish between highly acceptable, acceptable and unacceptable fluid performance in piston pumps. They take into account the broad range of operating conditions piston pumps are subjected to, as well as the common variations in design and materials of construction among pump manufacturers.

1.3 This guide is intended to complement proprietary test protocols and methodologies employed by some piston pump manufacturers. The test protocols and methodologies within this guide may help pump manufacturers, fluid formulators and end users accurately screen potential fluids for specific performance characteristics. The results of this screening may be sufficient in certain instances for pump manufacturers to forego requirements for additional fluid performance tests.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.

 
2. Referenced Documents

AFNOR NF E48-691

Hydraulic Fluid Power. Fluids. Measurement of Filterability of Minerals Oils in the Presence of Water

AFNOR NF E48-692

Hydraulic Fluid Power. Fluids. Measurement of Filterability of HFC and HFD Class Fire Resistant Fluids

ANSI/(NFPA) Standard T2.13.7R1-1996

Hydraulic Fluid Power--Petroleum Fluids--Prediction of Bulk Moduli

ANSI/Standard NFPA/JIC T2.24.1-1990

Hydraulic Fluid Power--Systems Standard for Stationary Industrial Machinery

ANSI/(NFPA) Standard T3.9.20-1992

Hydraulic Fluid Power--Pumps--Method of Testing and Presenting Basic Performance Data for Pressure Compensated Pumps

ANSI/(NFPA) Standard T3.9.33-1997

Hydraulic Fluid Power--Pumps--Method of Testing and Presenting Basic Performance Data for Load Sensing Pumps

ANSI/(NFPA) Standard T3.16.2-R1-1997

Hydraulic Fluid Power--Design for Nonintegral Industrial Reservoirs

D445-26

Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)

D92-24

Standard Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland Open Cup Tester

D93-26

Standard Test Methods for Flash Point by Pensky-Martens Closed Cup Tester

D95-23e1

Standard Test Method for Water in Petroleum Products and Bituminous Materials by Distillation (Includes all amendments and changes 10/25/2024).

D97-17b(2022)

Standard Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products (Includes all amendments and changes 11/29/2022).

D130-26

Standard Test Method for Corrosiveness to Copper from Petroleum Products by Copper Strip Test

D1298-24

Standard Test Method for Density, Relative Density, or API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Liquid Petroleum Products by Hydrometer Method

D1401-21

Standard Test Method for Water Separability of Petroleum Oils and Synthetic Fluids

D1500-24

Standard Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Products (ASTM Color Scale)

D1533-20

Standard Test Method for Water in Insulating Liquids by Coulometric Karl Fischer Titration

D482-25

Standard Test Method for Ash from Petroleum Products

D611-23

Standard Test Methods for Aniline Point and Mixed Aniline Point of Petroleum Products and Hydrocarbon Solvents

D664-24

Standard Test Method for Acid Number of Petroleum Products by Potentiometric Titration

D665-25

Standard Test Method for Rust-Preventing Characteristics of Inhibited Mineral Oil in the Presence of Water

D874-23

Standard Test Method for Sulfated Ash from Lubricating Oils and Additives

D877-02

Standard Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage of Insulating Liquids Using Disk Electrodes

D892-25

Standard Test Method for Foaming Characteristics of Lubricating Oils

D943-25

Standard Test Method for Oxidation Characteristics of Inhibited Mineral Oils

D974-22

Standard Test Method for Acid and Base Number by Color-Indicator Titration

D1121-25

Standard Test Methods for Reserve Alkalinity of Engine Coolants and Antirusts

D1123-22a

Standard Test Methods for Water in Engine Coolant Concentrate by the Karl Fischer Reagent Method (Includes all amendments and changes 9/21/2022).

D1169-19a

Standard Test Method for Specific Resistance (Resistivity) of Electrical Insulating Liquids (Includes all amendments and changes 10/10/2019).

D2070-26

Standard Test Method for Thermal Stability of Hydraulic Oils

D2270-24

Standard Practice for Calculating Viscosity Index from Kinematic Viscosity at 40 ?C and 100 ?C

D2272-22

Standard Test Method for Oxidation Stability of Steam Turbine Oils by Rotating Pressure Vessel

D2273-08

Standard Test Method for Trace Sediment in Lubricating Oils

D2422-24

Standard Classification of Industrial Fluid Lubricants by Viscosity System

D2619-21

Standard Test Method for Hydrolytic Stability of Hydraulic Fluids (Beverage Bottle Method)

D2624-26

Standard Test Methods for Electrical Conductivity of Aviation and Distillate Fuels

D2717-95(2000)

Standard Test Method for Thermal Conductivity of Liquids

D2766-95(2000)

Standard Test Method for Specific Heat of Liquids and Solids

D2783-25

Standard Test Method for Measurement of Extreme-Pressure Properties of Lubricating Fluids (Four-Ball Method)

D2879-23

Standard Test Method for Vapor Pressure-Temperature Relationship and Initial Decomposition Temperature of Liquids by Isoteniscope

D2882-00

Standard Test Method for Indicating the Wear Characteristics of Petroleum and Non-Petroleum Hydraulic Fluids in Constant Volume Vane Pump (Withdrawn 2003)

D2983-23

Standard Test Method for Low-Temperature Viscosity of Automatic Transmission Fluids, Hydraulic Fluids, and Lubricants using a Rotational Viscometer

D3427-26

Standard Test Method for Air Release Properties of Hydrocarbon Based Oils

D3487-25

Standard Specification for Mineral Insulating Liquid Used in Electrical Apparatus

D4052-22

Standard Test Method for Density, Relative Density, and API Gravity of Liquids by Digital Density Meter

D4172-25

Standard Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Fluid (Four-Ball Method)

D4293-22

Standard Specification for Phosphate Ester-Based Fluids for Turbine Lubrication and Steam Turbine Electro-Hydraulic Control (EHC) Applications

D4308-24

Standard Test Method for Electrical Conductivity of Liquid Hydrocarbons by Precision Meter

D4310-22a

Standard Test Method for Determination of Sludging and Corrosion Tendencies of Inhibited Mineral Oils (Includes all amendments and changes 11/10/2022).

D4652-20

Standard Specification for Silicone Liquid Used for Electrical Insulation

D5182-26

Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Scuffing Load Capacity of Oils (FZG A/8.3/90 Method)

D5185-26

Standard Test Method for Multielement Determination of Used and Unused Lubricating Oils and Base Oils by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES)

D5222-23

Standard Specification for Less Flammable High Molecular Weight Hydrocarbon Mineral Electrical Insulating Liquids

D5534-94(1999)

Standard Test Method for Vapor-Phase Rust-Preventing Characteristics of Hydraulic Fluids

D5621-24

Standard Test Method for Sonic Shear Stability of Hydraulic Fluids

D6006-24

Standard Guide for Assessing Biodegradability of Hydraulic Fluids

D6046-24

Standard Classification of Hydraulic Fluids for Environmental Impact

D6080-18a(2025)

Standard Practice for Defining the Viscosity Characteristics of Hydraulic Fluids (Includes all amendments and changes 10/28/2025).

D6158-23

Standard Specification for Mineral Hydraulic Oils

D6304-25

Standard Test Method for Determination of Water in Petroleum Products, Lubricating Oils, and Additives by Coulometric Karl Fischer Titration

D6376-25

Standard Test Method for Determination of Trace Metals in Petroleum Coke by Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy

D6546-23

Standard Test Methods for and Suggested Limits for Determining Compatibility of Elastomer Seals for Industrial Hydraulic Fluid Applications

D6547-23

Standard Test Method for Corrosiveness of Lubricating Fluid to Bimetallic Couple

D6595-22

Standard Test Method for Determination of Wear Metals and Contaminants in Used Lubricating Oils or Used Hydraulic Fluids by Rotating Disc Electrode Atomic Emission Spectrometry

E70-24

Standard Test Method for pH of Aqueous Solutions With the Glass Electrode

E203-24

Standard Test Method for Water Using Volumetric Karl Fischer Titration

E659-24

Standard Test Method for Autoignition Temperature of Chemicals

F312-08(2023)

Standard Test Methods for Microscopical Sizing and Counting Particles from Aerospace Fluids on Membrane Filters

AFNOR NF E48-690

Hydraulic Fluid Power. Fluids. Measurement of Filterability of Mineral Oils