ISO 23572:2020

Overview

ISO 23572:2020 - Petroleum products - Lubricating greases - Sampling of greases - specifies practical methods for obtaining representative samples of lubricating grease from production lots or shipments and gives instructions for inspecting greases in sales packages. The standard supports reliable grease sampling for quality control, laboratory testing, and acceptance inspection of lubricant shipments.

Key topics and requirements

• Sampling scope: Methods for sampling greases at manufacturing sites and at delivery sites; inspection of greases in sales packages.
• Timing and handling: Do not sample directly from kettles or processing tanks. Sample only after the grease has remained in the finished container for at least 12 hours and has cooled to not more than “9 °” above the surrounding air temperature.
• Sampling equipment: Use clean, dry, non-contaminating tools - stainless-steel spatulas, ladles (≈0.5 l recommended for soft greases), core-boring tubes and various augers (ship auger, channel-type auger, Allen Auerbach auger). Containers for samples must be non-corrodible and closable with a tight lid.
• Inspection and location: Visually and physically compare surface grease and material at least 6.5 cm below the surface to assess homogeneity before sampling.
• Sampling procedure:
  • If homogeneous: withdraw portions from near the centre at ≥6.5 cm below surface and compose a composite sample.
  • If heterogeneous: take separate ~0.5 kg samples from top (near walls) and centre (≥15 cm below surface) and submit separately.
  • For multiple containers with variations, take separate samples per container.
• Sample sizes (selection at random to meet required laboratory quantities):
  • Small cartridges (<0.5 kg): select enough units to form ~1 kg sample.
  • Cans >0.5 kg to ≤2 kg: sample three cans.
  • Cans >2 kg to ≤5 kg: sample one can.
  • Bulk (larger than 5 kg): sample 1–1.5 kg from one or more containers (for lots <5 t); larger lots require 1–2.5 kg from multiple containers depending on tonnage.
• Special cases: For tests sensitive to grease structure (e.g., unworked penetration or thixotropic properties), follow specific sampling instructions and avoid disturbing structure when required.

Applications and users

ISO 23572 is used by:

• Lubricant manufacturers for production quality control and batch release
• Third‑party inspection agencies and laboratory analysts for acceptance testing
• Logistics and procurement teams to verify shipments and contract compliance
• R&D when sampling affects rheological or structural tests

Practical benefits include consistent, representative grease sampling, reduced test variability, and clearer acceptance decisions for lubricating greases.

Related standards

• ISO 3170 (manual sampling of petroleum liquids)
• ISO 2137 (determination of cone penetration of greases)
• ASTM D4057, DIN 51750‑3 (related grease sampling guidance)

Keywords: ISO 23572:2020, lubricating greases sampling, grease sampling procedure, sampling equipment, grease inspection, lubricant testing.