Downloaded from SAE International by Columbia Univ, Tuesday, April 14, 2020

ARP4249 REV. A
AEROSPACE
RECOMMENDED PRACTICE Issued 1994-07
Reaffirmed 2006-11
Stabilized 2015-08

Superseding ARP4249

Bearing Corrosion Test Method

RATIONALE

This document is no longer used for new oil design. The committee intends to stabilize the document in order to insure it
is available for historical and/or reference purposes.

STABILIZED NOTICE

This document has been declared "Stabilized" by the SAE E-34 Propulsion Lubricants Committee and will no longer be
subjected to periodic reviews for currency. Users are responsible for verifying references and continued suitability of
technical requirements. Newer technology may exist.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SAE Technical Standards Board Rules provide that: “This report is published by SAE to advance the state of technical and engineering sciences. The use of this report is entirely
voluntary, and its applicability and suitability for any particular use, including any patent infringement arising therefrom, is the sole responsibility of the user.”
SAE reviews each technical report at least every five years at which time it may be revised, reaffirmed, stabilized, or cancelled. SAE invites your written comments and
suggestions.
Copyright © 2015 SAE International
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of SAE.
TO PLACE A DOCUMENT ORDER: Tel: 877-606-7323 (inside USA and Canada) SAE values your input. To provide feedback
Tel: +1 724-776-4970 (outside USA) on this Technical Report, please visit
Fax: 724-776-0790 http://www.sae.org/technical/standards/ARP4249A
Email: CustomerService@sae.org
SAE WEB ADDRESS: http://www.sae.org
 Downloaded from SAE International by Columbia Univ, Tuesday, April 14, 2020

SAE INTERNATIONAL ARP4249™A 1 OF 8

1. SCOPE:
1.1 This SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) is intended to evaluate corrosion inhibiting
properties of synthetic gas turbine lubricants and gearbox oils.

1.1.1 This ARP is a modified form of a method developed in the United Kingdom as DERD Test Method/
1, Method No. 18, Issue 1 of January 1984. (Reference 2.1.)

1.2 Field of Application:

1.2.1 Primarily to evaluate corrosion inhibiting properties of aircraft engines, gearboxes and propulsion
system lubricants.

2. REFERENCES:
2.1 DERD Test Methods/1, Method No. 18, Issue 1 of January 1984

3. TEST REQUIREMENTS:
3.1 Apparatus:

3.1.1 Test Specimens:

3.1.1.1 Bearing Balls: 12.7 mm (0.5 in) diameter

3.1.1.2 Material: Steel SKF Grade 1-Swedish Made (Order No. RB-12.7/111/E212)

3.1.1.3 Finish: Lime polished

3.1.1.4 Suggested Supplier: Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division, Code PE33, Box 7176,
Trenton, NJ 08628
 Downloaded from SAE International by Columbia Univ, Tuesday, April 14, 2020

SAE INTERNATIONAL ARP4249™A 2 OF 8

3.1.2 Specimen Support Tray:

3.1.2.1 A lucite tray is drilled to provide countersunk ball bearing seats and to permit oil drainage from
the seats. The tray is fitted with legs to provide a standard elevation of the test specimens in the
humidity chamber and utilizes a drip tray to prevent oil inhibition of the water vapor source. The
dimensions of the tray are given in Figure 1.

3.1.3 Humidity Chamber:

3.1.3.1 A glass tank with general dimensions of 305 mm (12 in) x 152 mm (6 in) x 229 mm (9 in) fitted
with a ground glass lid and a high ledge to provide support for the glass rods which hold the drip
control paper. Figure 2.

(The Universal TLC Chromatank produced by Shandon Southern Ltd. in the United Kingdom or
equivalent is acceptable.) A tank with the same general dimensions without a ledge for the rods
and drip control paper can be considered an alternate replacement.

3.1.3.2 The glass lid will have a drilled hole of such size to facilitate the introduction of a long probe-type
thermocouple. The access hole should be located where it would allow the thermocouple to be
centrally located within the chamber.

3.1.4 Test Specimen Handling Device:

3.1.4.1 A locally manufactured tool used for transferring test specimens from the test oils to the
specimen tray. A wire loop fashioned of a diameter slightly less than 12.7 mm (0.50 in) with a
suitable handle works well.

3.1.5 Drip Control Paper:

3.1.5.1 Whatman Number 1 filter paper cut to loosely fit the top dimensions of the humidity chamber.
The need for this paper is optional and is to be determined by the type humidity chamber being
used.

3.1.6 Glass Rods:

3.1.6.1 Rod length and diameter should be determined by the specific humidity chamber that is to be
used.

3.1.7 Oven:

3.1.7.1 An oven capable of elevating the internal air temperature, of all humidity chambers in use, to
40 °C (104 °F) from 5 °C (41 °F) within 1 h, 40 °C ± 1 °C (104 °F ± 2 °F).
 Downloaded from SAE International by Columbia Univ, Tuesday, April 14, 2020

SAE INTERNATIONAL ARP4249™A 3 OF 8

FIGURE 1
 Downloaded from SAE International by Columbia Univ, Tuesday, April 14, 2020

SAE INTERNATIONAL ARP4249™A 4 OF 8

FIGURE 2
 Downloaded from SAE International by Columbia Univ, Tuesday, April 14, 2020

SAE INTERNATIONAL ARP4249™A 5 OF 8

3.1.8 Refrigerator:

3.1.8.1 A unit capable of reducing the internal air temperatures of all the chambers in use to 5 °C (41 °F)
from 40 °C (104 °F) within 3 h and of maintaining a constant temperature of 5 °C ± 1 °C
(41 °F ± 2 °F).

3.1.9 Temperature Monitor:

3.1.9.1 Thermocouple and recorder for monitoring the internal air temperature of the humidity chamber.
A glass thermometer and corresponding hourly log sheet may also be used for this purpose.

3.1.10 Microscope:

3.1.10.1 A unit that provides 10X magnification for the inspection of the test specimens.

3.2 Materials:

3.2.1 Laboratory Reagent Grade Mineral Spirits with a boiling point range of 90 to 120 °C
(194 to 248 °F).

3.2.2 Laboratory Reagent Grade Acetone

3.2.3 Reference Oils:

3.2.3.1 Supplier: Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division, Code PE33, Box 7176, Trenton, NJ 08628.

3.2.4 Test Oils

3.2.5 Demineralized Water

3.3 Precautions:

This ARP may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This ARP does not purport
to address all of the safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility of whoever uses
this ARP to consult and establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

3.4 Procedure:

3.4.1 All steps of the preparation and implementation of the procedures should be completed within 2 h.

Exception: The test specimens may be degreased earlier provided they are kept in a dessicator
until ready for use. (See 3.4.5.5.)

3.4.2 Rinse the humidity chamber, lid and test specimen handling device in mineral spirits followed by
acetone to remove residual water and oils from the previous test. Allow apparatus to air dry.
 Downloaded from SAE International by Columbia Univ, Tuesday, April 14, 2020

SAE INTERNATIONAL ARP4249™A 6 OF 8

3.4.3 Rinse the specimen support tray in mineral spirts - DO NOT USE ACETONE. Residual water
should first be removed by wiping with tissue. Allow the tray to air dry.

3.4.4 Add demineralized water to the humidity chamber to a depth of 19 mm (0.75 in).

3.4.5 Degrease the test specimens by washing as follows:

3.4.5.1 30 min in boiling mineral spirts

3.4.5.2 30 min in boiling acetone

3.4.5.3 Air dry on clean, lint free tissues

3.4.5.4 Visually inspect the test specimens to be used, for signs of rust, staining or surface damage, and
reject any that are imperfect. (Magnification is not required for this inspection.)

3.4.5.5 Place the cleaned test specimens in a dessicator until ready for use. It is recommended that only
a number of specimens that will be readily consumed should be cleaned. Specimens stored in a
dessicator over 30 days should be re-inspected prior to use.

3.4.6 Use four test specimens for each of the reference oils used in the test. Both the pass and fail oils
should be used as controls in each test assembly prepared.

3.4.7 Place the test specimens into labeled beakers and into each beaker add enough test oil or
reference oil to completely cover the specimens. Soak for 30 min at a temperature of 40 °C
(104 °F). (A minimum of ten test specimens should be used for each test oil.)

3.4.8 Remove the test specimens individually from the oils using the test specimen handling device.
Remove the excess oil by touching the specimen to the rim of the beaker and then to a piece of
lint-free tissue.

3.4.9 Place each prepared specimen in a seat of the support tray and record its position. (Clean the
handing device in mineral spirits between use in different fluids.)

3.4.10 Stand the specimen support tray in the bottom of the humidity chamber.

3.4.11 Place the condensation drip control paper, if used, above the support tray at the ledge of the
chamber, supported by the ledge and by glass rods placed across the width of the tank.

3.4.12 Smear silicone stop cock grease around the rim of the chamber and install the lid, ensuring that the
grease completely seals the tank.
 Downloaded from SAE International by Columbia Univ, Tuesday, April 14, 2020

SAE INTERNATIONAL ARP4249™A 7 OF 8

3.4.13 Locate a thermocouple or thermometer in the chamber with its junction in the airspace above the
specimen support tray but below the drip control paper, if used. Attach the thermocouple to an
external recorder or digital thermocouple indicator. Insure the lead penetration into the chamber is
sealed.

3.4.14 Place the prepared test assembly in the oven preheated to 40 °C (104 °F ± 2 °F).

3.4.15 After 3 h in the oven, transfer the test assembly to the refrigerator, preset at 5 °C (41 °F ± 2 °F).
Leave the assembly in the refrigerator for 21 h.

3.4.16 Repeat steps 3.4.14 and 3.4.15 for a total of four cycles and then refrigerate the test assembly for
two days. This is then followed by one more complete hot/cold cycle. For purposes of
standardization, the test should be started on a Tuesday with the weekend occurring between the
4th and 5th cycle. The test assembly would be kept in the refrigerator at 5 °C (41 °F ± 2 °F) over
the weekend.

3.4.17 At the end of the 5 cycles (7 days) remove the test assembly from the refrigerator and allow the
chamber internal temperature to rise to ambient conditions before opening the chamber.

3.5 Inspection:

3.5.1 The test specimens must be cleaned and inspected on the day the test is terminated.

3.5.1.1 Remove a test specimen from the support tray.

3.5.1.2 Agitate the specimen in acetone at room temperature, followed by boiling mineral spirits.

3.5.1.3 Allow the specimen to air dry and cool, then pick it up in a lint free cloth or tissue. Do not wipe
ball before examination.

3.5.1.4 Inspect the specimen under 10X magnification in diffused light.

3.5.1.5 Record the number of corrosion sites on each test specimen.

3.6 Test Results:

3.6.1 Grade each specimen as pass or fail. A specimen with no corrosion sites is determined to be a
pass, while a specimen that has one or more corrosion sites is determined to be a fail. Corrosion
sites are relatively easy to identify because they are generally accompanied with red oxide scale.
The scale usually encircles the corrosion site. The corrosion site itself appears as a small, dark
circular depression on the ball surface (pit).
 Downloaded from SAE International by Columbia Univ, Tuesday, April 14, 2020

SAE INTERNATIONAL ARP4249™A 8 OF 8

3.7 Interpretation of Results:

3.7.1 The "Pass" and "Fail" reference oils are used as controls in each test and provide assurance that
the test has been performed properly if they provide 75% pass/fail results. If the reference oils fail
to produce the 75% results, the test should be considered invalid and should be repeated.

4. REPORT:

4.1 The test results are reported as either "Pass" or "Fail".

PREPARED BY SAE COMMITTEE E-34, PROPULSION LUBRICANTS