Anton Paar 660 Penetrometer for Grease Consistency Testing
| Origin | Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | 660 |
| Compliance | ASTM D5, D217, D937, D1321, D1403, D1831, D2884 |
| Power Supply | 220 V / 50 Hz, 50 W |
| Safety Certification | CE |
| Penetration Range | 0–50 mm |
| Cone Mass | 47.5 g (standard) |
| Needle Mass | 2.5 g (ASTM D5-compliant) |
| Timer Resolution | 0.1 s, Programmable Duration (1–60 s) |
| Temperature Control | Compatible with external thermostatic water baths (e.g., 25 °C ± 0.1 °C) |
Overview
The Anton Paar 660 Penetrometer is a precision-engineered instrument designed specifically for determining the consistency of lubricating greases and semi-solid petroleum products via standardized cone penetration measurement. Based on the fundamental principle of quasi-static mechanical indentation, the device measures the depth (in 0.1-mm units) to which a calibrated cone—under defined mass, temperature, and time conditions—penetrates a sample under gravity. This method directly correlates with NLGI consistency grades and serves as a primary quality control parameter in grease formulation, manufacturing, and incoming material verification. The instrument complies fully with ASTM D5 (Standard Test Method for Penetration of Bituminous Materials), ASTM D217 (Standard Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease), and six additional ASTM standards referenced in petroleum and lubricant testing protocols. Its design reflects decades of refinement in rheological metrology for non-Newtonian viscoelastic solids, delivering high reproducibility across laboratories operating under GLP or ISO/IEC 17025-accredited environments.
Key Features
- Motorized head assembly with manual gear fine-adjustment mechanism for precise vertical positioning of the cone over the sample surface—ensuring repeatable alignment prior to test initiation.
- Dual-mode operation: fully automated timed penetration cycle or manual single-stroke activation via front-panel button, supporting both routine QC and method development workflows.
- High-resolution optical encoder system with 50 mm full-scale travel range and 0.01 mm resolution, enabling traceable displacement measurement compliant with ASTM D217 Annex A1 requirements for instrumentation accuracy.
- Electromechanical cone locking system: engages automatically after pre-heating (typically 5 s), holds the cone at zero reference position, then releases synchronously with timer start—eliminating operator-induced variability in drop initiation.
- Stainless-steel ASTM-compliant cone (47.5 g total mass) and interchangeable needle (2.5 g, ASTM D5 specification) mounted on a rigid aluminum base plate equipped with bubble level and leveling screws for gravitational axis calibration.
- Independent digital timer with programmable duration (1–60 s), 0.1-s resolution, and audible end-of-test signal—fully decoupled from mechanical actuation to prevent timing drift.
- Integrated illumination: switchable mirror-reflected or pinpoint LED lighting for optimal visual confirmation of sample surface flatness and cone tip alignment.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The 660 Penetrometer accommodates standard 140-mm-diameter × 95-mm-height grease containers (ASTM D217) and is compatible with optional temperature-controlled water bath systems via the LAB-100-660/A adapter plate. When coupled with a certified thermostatic bath set to 25 °C ± 0.1 °C (or other specified temperatures per ASTM D1403 or D1831), the system meets thermal conditioning requirements for consistency testing of multi-grade and low-temperature greases. All mechanical components—including cone geometry, mass tolerance (±0.05 g), and shaft concentricity—are verified against ASTM D5 Annex A2 dimensional specifications. The instrument’s CE marking confirms conformity with EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU, supporting integration into facilities maintaining ISO 9001 or API Q1 quality management systems.
Software & Data Management
While the 660 operates as a standalone benchtop instrument with analog dial readout and digital timer display, its mechanical architecture supports seamless integration with laboratory data management systems. Raw penetration values (in 0.1-mm units) are manually recorded or captured via optional RS-232 interface (available upon request). For regulated environments—including those subject to FDA 21 CFR Part 11 or EU Annex 11—users may employ validated third-party LIMS or ELN platforms to log test parameters (cone mass, temperature, dwell time), operator ID, sample ID, and result signatures. The English-language user manual includes full calibration procedures, traceability documentation guidelines, and preventive maintenance schedules aligned with ASTM E74 and ISO/IEC 17025 clause 6.4.
Applications
- Quality assurance of lithium-, calcium-, polyurea-, and clay-thickened greases during production and final release testing.
- Batch-to-batch consistency evaluation in additive package development and base oil blending studies.
- Conformance verification of incoming raw materials (e.g., thickener dispersions, finished grease drums) against purchase specifications.
- Supporting ASTM D1321 (block penetration), D1403 (low-temperature penetration), and D2884 (penetration of asphalt emulsions) through accessory configuration and procedural adaptation.
- Research applications involving structure breakdown kinetics, thixotropic recovery profiling, and temperature-dependent consistency mapping.
FAQ
What standards does the 660 Penetrometer support?
It fully complies with ASTM D5, D217, D937, D1321, D1403, D1831, and D2884, covering grease, bitumen, asphalt emulsion, and semi-solid petroleum product testing.
Can the instrument be used at temperatures other than 25 °C?
Yes—when paired with an external thermostatically controlled water bath and the LAB-100-660/A adapter plate, it supports testing at any temperature within the bath’s operational range (e.g., –20 °C to +80 °C).
Is the cone mass adjustable?
The standard cone mass is fixed at 47.5 g per ASTM D217; however, optional 50 g and 100 g weights (LAB-100-661/50 and LAB-100-661/10) allow adaptation to alternative test methods requiring higher loads.
Does the unit include calibration certification?
A factory-issued calibration certificate traceable to national standards (e.g., METAS or NIST) is available as an optional add-on at time of order.
What maintenance is required?
Routine cleaning of the cone shaft and guide sleeve, periodic verification of leveling accuracy using the integrated bubble level, and annual verification of encoder linearity and timer accuracy per ASTM E74.
