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KRL Shear Stability Test
Test Conditions It is essential that high-quality gear lubes resist shear to ensure adequate oil film thickness and protection against friction and wear. The KRL Shear Stability Test is used to determine the mechanical shear stability of lubricants containing polymer. Mandatory under the SAE J-306 gear oil standard, the KRL Shear Stability Test makes use of a taper roller bearing in order to shear the test fluid and determine the permanent drop in viscosity caused by the mechanical stress under practical conditions. Under the specifications of SAE J- 306, the measured viscosity at 100°C (212°F) of an SAE 90 gear oil must exceed 13.5 cSt after 20 hours of testing.
Test Results AMSOIL 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube easily exceeded SAE J-306 specifications following the 20-hour test length and was allowed to continue for a total of 192 straight hours, almost 10 times longer than the standard test length. Even after this extended test, AMSOIL 75W-90 lost only 0.40 percent of its original viscosity, making it 99.6 percent shear stable.
Valvoline 75W-90 Gear Lube, on the other hand, failed the test during the initial 20-hour testing period, losing 14 percent of its original viscosity.
Brookfield Viscosity Test
Test Conditions The Brookfield Viscosity Test (ASTM 0-2983) is used to determine the internal fluid-friction of a lubricant during cold temperature operation. The lubricant sample is chilled in a -40°C (-40° F) air bath for 16 hours, and a Brookfield viscometer determines the torque required to shear the lubricant. The lower the cold temperature viscosity (measured in centipoise), the better the cold temperature protection. ASTM specifications dictate that 75W-90 gear oils measure less than 150,000 cP at test completion.
Test Results AMSOIL 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube easily passed the Brookfield Viscosity Test, measuring 88,000 cP at test completion, 42 percent less than test limits. The superior cold temperature properties of AMSOIL 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube ensure quicker oil flow, enhanced component protection and improved fuel efficiency.
Many conventional lubricants fail to pass the Brookfield Viscosity Test due to the paraffinic (wax) content in their base oils. Valvoline Gear Lube passed the test at 130,000 cP, only 13 percent lower than test limits
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