PULUODY PLD-269C Lubricating Grease Penetrometer

Overview

The PULUODY PLD-269C Lubricating Grease Penetrometer is a precision mechanical instrument engineered for the standardized determination of penetration depth in semi-solid petroleum products—primarily lubricating greases and paraffin waxes—according to the methodology defined in GB/T 269, China’s national standard equivalent to ASTM D217 and ISO 2137. Penetration testing quantifies the consistency of grease by measuring the vertical distance (in tenths of a millimeter) that a standardized cone assembly descends into the sample under controlled load, temperature, and time conditions. This value serves as a critical rheological proxy for structural stability, shear resistance, and pumpability—parameters directly influencing grease selection for bearing lubrication, automotive chassis applications, and industrial gear systems. The PLD-269C implements a gravity-driven, motor-assisted cone release mechanism with zero-friction descent, ensuring high reproducibility across sequential tests when operated within specified environmental conditions (e.g., 25 °C ± 0.5 °C bath conditioning per GB/T 269 Section 6).

Key Features

• Integrated dual-module architecture: separates penetration measurement (PLD-269C main unit) from sample preparation (accompanying grease homogenizer), enabling workflow continuity and operator safety.
• Three-stage mechanical adjustment system: (1) Leveling base with adjustable leveling feet and circular spirit level; (2) Vertical support column with coarse/fine height adjustment knobs for precise positioning of the digital scale relative to the sample cup; (3) Digital displacement sensor with 0.1 mm resolution and automatic cone locking/unlocking via electromechanical actuation.
• Programmable timing circuitry with ±0.1 s accuracy ensures strict adherence to standard dwell times (e.g., 5 s for standard penetration, 60 s for extended penetration per GB/T 269 Clause 7.3).
• Conformance-certified cone assembly: manufactured to dimensional and mass tolerances specified in GB/T 269 Annex A (equivalent to ASTM D217 Figure 1), including 102.5 g total mass, 47.7° apex angle, and polished stainless-steel surface finish to minimize adhesion artifacts.
• Rigid cast-iron base and vibration-damped support structure mitigate external mechanical interference during cone descent, preserving measurement integrity in shared laboratory environments.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PLD-269C is validated for use with NLGI consistency classes 000 through 6, covering greases ranging from fluid pumpable oils (NLGI 000) to stiff block greases (NLGI 6), as well as refined paraffin waxes meeting GB/T 4472 specifications. Sample containers comply with GB/T 269 Section 5 requirements: cylindrical metal cups (ø 50.8 mm × 35 mm deep) or flat-bottomed glass dishes (ø 100 mm × 20 mm deep) conditioned at 25 °C for ≥2 hours prior to test. Instrument operation supports full traceability per GLP and internal quality control protocols; while not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant (as it lacks electronic audit trails), its mechanical design facilitates integration into validated workflows where manual data transcription is documented per SOPs aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 7.7.

Software & Data Management

The PLD-269C operates as a standalone electromechanical system without embedded firmware or proprietary software. All measurements are captured via a high-contrast LCD digital caliper integrated into the measurement head, displaying penetration depth in 0.1 mm increments. Operators manually record results in laboratory notebooks or LIMS-compatible spreadsheets. For laboratories requiring digital capture, optional RS-232 or USB-to-serial adapters may interface the digital scale output with third-party data acquisition platforms (e.g., LabVIEW, MATLAB, or custom Python scripts), provided calibration certificates for the displacement sensor are maintained per ISO 9001:2015 Clause 7.1.5.

Applications

• Quality assurance of incoming raw materials (e.g., lithium-complex thickeners, mineral base oils) against supplier specifications.
• In-process monitoring during grease manufacturing to verify NLGI grade attainment before packaging.
• Stability assessment of grease formulations subjected to thermal aging (per ASTM D1831) or mechanical working (per ASTM D1263).
• Comparative evaluation of alternative thickener systems (e.g., polyurea vs. calcium sulfonate) under identical penetration test conditions.
• Regulatory documentation for product registration in domestic markets where GB/T 269 compliance is mandatory for industrial lubricant certification.

FAQ

What standards does the PLD-269C conform to?
It is designed and verified for compliance with GB/T 269, which aligns technically with ASTM D217 and ISO 2137 for grease penetration testing.
Is temperature control built into the instrument?
No—the PLD-269C does not include an integrated temperature bath; users must precondition samples in an external thermostatic bath set to 25 °C ± 0.5 °C per GB/T 269 Section 6.
Can the cone be calibrated independently?
Yes—cones are supplied with individual calibration certificates verifying mass and geometry per GB/T 269 Annex A; periodic verification using Class M1 weights and optical profilometry is recommended every 12 months.
Does the instrument support extended-time penetration tests (e.g., 60-second dwell)?
Yes—the timer is programmable up to 99.9 seconds with ±0.1 s accuracy, accommodating both standard (5 s) and extended (60 s) test durations defined in GB/T 269 Clause 7.3.
Is the homogenizer (grease捣制器) included with the base unit?
Yes—the PLD-269C system includes both the penetrometer mainframe and the manual grease homogenizer (consisting of base plate, vertical support rod, reciprocating lever, and spatula-equipped grease rod) as a complete kit per GB/T 269 Section 4.2 requirements.