ASTM D2272 Oxidation Stability (RPVOT)

ASTM D2272 is the rotating pressure vessel oxidation test (RPVOT) for steam turbine oils. The method estimates oxidation stability of new and in-service oils that share the same composition. The reported value is an induction time, not a remaining-life percentage and not a condemn limit.

That last point matters for oil-condition programs. A common turbine-oil rule — replace or reclaim when RPVOT falls to about 25% of the new-oil value — comes from ASTM D4378, the in-service mineral turbine-oil practice. D2272 only supplies the minutes. It is also not a substitute for ASTM D943, and it is not intended to compare unused oils of different formulations.

This page is original prose and is not a reproduction of the standard. Buy the official text from the ASTM store.

ASTM Standard at a Glance

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Recommended equipment for ASTM D2272:

Choosing the right equipment for ASTM D2272

RPVOT scatter usually comes from vessel charge, catalyst condition, bath temperature, and how the endpoint is read. A dedicated oxidation-stability instrument keeps those knobs repeatable.

The Vero Scientific oxidation stability analyzer is the instrument linked to this method. Pair the result with ASTM D4378 when you are setting turbine-oil condemn limits — D2272 will not invent those limits for you.