New and used petroleum products can contain basic constituents that are present as additives. The relative amount of these materials can be determined by titration with acids. The base number is a measure of the amount of basic substances in the oil always under the conditions of the test. It is sometimes used as a measure of lubricant degradation in service. However, any condemning limit shall be empirically established.
5.2 As stated in 1.2, this test method uses a weaker acid to titrate the base than Test Method D2896, and the titration solvents are also different. Test Method D2896 uses a stronger acid and a more polar solvent system than Test Method D4739. As a result, Test Method D2896 will titrate salts of weak acids (soaps), basic salts of polyacidic bases, and weak alkaline salts of some metals. They do not protect the oil from acidic components due to the degradation of the oil. This test method may produce a falsely exaggerated base number. Test Method D4739 will probably not titrate these weak bases but, if so, will titrate them to a lesser degree of completion. It measures only the basic components of the additive package that neutralizes acids. On the other hand, if the additive package contains weak basic components that do not play a role in neutralizing the acidic components of the degrading oil, then the Test Method D4739 result may be falsely understated.
5.3 Particular care is required in the interpretation of the base number of new and used lubricants.
5.3.1 When the base number of the new oil is required as an expression of its manufactured quality, Test Method D2896 is preferred, since it is known to titrate weak bases that this test method may or may not titrate reliably.
5.3.2 When the base number of in-service or at-term oil is required, this test method is preferred because in many cases, especially for internal combustion engine oils, weakly basic degradation products are possible. Test Method D2896 will titrate these, thus giving a false value of essential basicity. This test method may or may not titrate these weak acids.
5.3.3 When the loss of base number value, as the oils proceed in service, is the consideration, this test method is to be preferred and all values including the unused oil shall be determined by this test method. Base numbers obtained by this test method shall not be related to base numbers obtained by another test method such as Test Method D2896.
5.3.4 In ASTM Interlaboratory Crosscheck Programs for both new and used lubricants, historically Test Method D2896 gives a higher value for base number.
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for the determination of basic constituents in petroleum products and new and used lubricants. This test method resolves these constituents into groups having weak-base and strong-base ionization properties, provided the dissociation constants of the more strongly basic compounds are at least 1000 times than that of the next weaker groups. This test method covers base numbers up to 250.
1.2 In new and used lubricants, the constituents that can be considered to have basic properties are primarily organic and inorganic bases, including amino compounds. This test method uses hydrochloric acid as the titrant, whereas Test Method