The Test: Falex Pin & Vee Block Test

Standard	ASTM D2670 & D3233
Title	Standard Test Methods for Measurement of Extreme Pressure Properties of Fluid Lubricants (Falex Pin and Vee Block Methods)
Purpose	The test is used to evaluate wear and tear, friction and extreme pressure properties of materials and lubricants.
Description	A rotating pin, also referred to as a journal, is lubricated with the test oil and is compressed between two vee-shaped blocks. Pressure (depicted by the red arrows) is added at increasing levels until the pin fails. The goal is to determine how much load or force the lubricant can withstand before it fails. Therefore, the higher the load, the better the lubricant. Three typical industry oils (Mineral Oil, Alkylbenzene and POE) were tested, both alone and then mixed appropriately with ICE 22.
Results	ICE 22 significantly improved the oil's load-to-failure points

What does this mean to me?

• If there is build-up or an event that causes pressure to build in the system, for example low refrigerant, ICE 22 will significantly strengthen the system’s ability to withstand that pressure.
• Improved lubrication reduces the friction in the air conditioner's compressor
• Higher Pressure Tolerance => Less System Failures => Lower Maintenance Costs