ISO 11007-1:2021

Overview

ISO 11007-1:2021 - "Petroleum products and lubricants - Determination of rust-prevention characteristics of lubricating greases - Part 1: Dynamic wet conditions" - specifies a standardized laboratory method to evaluate the rust‑prevention (corrosion protection) properties of lubricating greases under dynamic wet conditions. Commonly known in industry as the Emcor test, it assesses a grease’s ability to protect rolling bearings when exposed to water, synthetic sea water or industrial aqueous pollutants.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Test principle: A measured quantity of grease is placed in a specially prepared test rig containing double‑row self‑aligning ball bearings. An aqueous test fluid is introduced and the rig is run according to a prescribed sequence of running and stopping (typically over about a week). After the test, the outer ring raceway is inspected and rated for corrosion.
• Test fluids permitted: Grade 2 water (ISO 3696), synthetic sea water (see ISO 7120) or a 0.5 mol/L NaCl solution at pH 8.0–8.2. Other user‑specified aqueous pollutants may be used (precision not established).
• Apparatus & materials: Clean test rig (Annex A), specified bearings conforming to ISO 15, oven for drying (90 °C ±2 °C), pipettes, solvent rinse (propan‑2‑ol + ammonia), silver nitrate for chloride checks, wash solvents.
• Preparation & cleaning: Detailed procedures to remove rust‑preventatives and ensure bearings and plummer blocks are free of contamination; silver nitrate check for residual chlorides after sea‑water tests.
• Measurement & reporting: Mass/volume of grease to be placed in bearings, inspection criteria and corrosion rating method, and precision data (repeatability and reproducibility) are included.
• Safety note: The standard warns of hazardous materials and operations and emphasizes user responsibility for health/safety measures.

Applications

• Quality control and acceptance testing for lubricating greases used in rolling bearings.
• Product development and comparative performance testing in lubricant R&D.
• Supplier qualification and batch verification for industries where equipment may be exposed to moisture or seawater (marine, offshore, industrial machinery).
• Performance classification under ISO 6743‑9 grease designation systems (third symbol relates to water resistance and corrosion protection).

Who should use this standard

• Lubricant manufacturers and formulators
• Independent testing laboratories and certification bodies
• Bearing and rotating‑equipment OEMs and maintenance engineers
• Procurement and quality assurance teams specifying grease performance

Related standards

• ISO 11007 series (this part complements ISO/TS 11007‑2 - water wash‑out method)
• ISO 7120 (synthetic sea water specification)
• ISO 11009 / ISO 12924 (grease water resistance and classification)
• ISO 23572 (sampling of greases)
• ISO 3696, ISO 15, ISO 3838 (referenced test methods and apparatus)

Keywords: ISO 11007-1:2021, lubricating greases, rust prevention, Emcor test, dynamic wet conditions, rolling bearings, corrosion protection, synthetic sea water, test rig, grease testing.