Refers to the temperature observed in a laboratory test where a small quantity of lubricating grease is heated until a drop of material separates from the grease. That temperature is adjusted according to ASTM D 2265. The dropping point is not the melting point of lubricating grease. Dropping point is used in many grease specifications. However, this test has very limited relevance to service performance. Dropping point should not be used to determine the upper operating temperature of a grease. To estimate how grease performs at high temperature, certain bearing life tests may be helpful.
