Shell Aviation

AeroShell Lubricants and Special Products

SHELF LIFE, PERIODIC PRODUCT INSPECTION AND RE-TESTING
It is very important that no misunderstanding should ever arise over the contents of a container. Issue
of an incorrect product from the warehouse should be prevented at all costs - especially for aviation
applications. Great care must therefore be taken to ensure that the right product is received in the first
instance. Furthermore, after products have been received, markings on containers and cartons should
be kept legible; if necessary, they should be re-stencilled or re-labelled.
If a product is in store for a prolonged period of time, it is important to determine that it is still suitable
for use.
At regular intervals (exact time is for the user's decision, but it could be every quarter or every six
months) a visual inspection of the outside of the cartons (for small packs) or containers (if drums or
pails) should be undertaken checking for signs of leaks or damage. Those containers that are leaking
or are badly damaged should be downgraded for non-aviation use or destroyed in accordance with
local environmental regulations.
If product is still in stock after a number of years then it is necessary to take samples and test key
properties to verify that the product continues to be fit for purpose.
For the majority of AeroShell grades, representative samples from each batch should be re-tested after
the specified time from date of manufacture or, if not known, date of order or date of receipt can be
used as the best estimate.
Different products are subject to different re-test periods; similarly, the tests that need to be carried out
on a product, to verify its continued suitability for use, depend on the type of product and field
experience developed over the years. The re-test periods and the testing required for AeroShell
products are based primarily on those specified in the NATO Standardization Agreement STANAG
3149 (Edition 8) entitled “Minimum Quality Surveillance of Petroleum Products”. Details of these re-
test periods and testing requirements are contained in the tables that follow. In summary, the re-test
periods for AeroShell products are as follows:
Product Initial Retest Period
(years)
All piston engine oils 4
All turbine engine oils 4
All greases 3
Hydraulic fluids – AeroShell Fluids 4, 31, 41, 51 3
Hydraulic fluids – AeroShell Fluids 61, 71, LGF, SSF 4
AeroShell Fluids 1, 2F, 2T 2XN, 3, 5L-A, 5M-A, 12, 18 4
AeroShell Fluids 602, 634, S.8350 3
AeroShell Compounds 02, 05, 06A 4
AeroShell Compound 07 2
AeroShell Calibrating Fluid 2 2

Every package of an AeroShell product will be marked with a batch number and a Date of
Manufacture (DoM). When a batch of product is manufactured, it is fully tested according to the
specification requirements and a batch Certificate of Analysis (CoA) bearing the date of manufacture
is produced. This "parent" batch may then be filled into a variety of packages over the following days,
weeks or (rarely) months. For traceability reasons, it is important that each filling operation has its
own batch number and fill date (with records kept to link each filling operation to the parent batch and

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its CoA). Thus the fill date is, in effect, the "date of manufacture" of that particular package and it is
this date from which the re-test period is calculated.
If a parent batch is in storage for more than a few weeks after manufacture before being filled into the
final package, then a small amount of re-testing will be done to re-confirm the key properties of the
batch prior to filling. This precaution reinforces the use of fill date, rather than original manufacturing
date, for the marking of containers and calculation of re-test period. Normally, packages will display
“Re-test date: x years after Date of Manufacture” rather than the re-test date itself.
The STANAG 3149 document (para 33) specifies the re-test periods and adds the following
restriction:
Packed petroleum products do not have an indefinite shelf life. The procedure for re-lifing
petroleum products shall be as follows:
The first re-test date shall be at the original frequency stated in the tables. Subsequent re-tests
shall follow at half that frequency.
These restrictions have been applied to AeroShell products.
For example, the tables show that the original re-test period for AeroShell Oil W100 is 4 years; thus
the first re-test is due 4 years after date of manufacture with the next re-test 2 years later, with
subsequent re-tests following every 2 years thereafter.
Normally there is no requirement to do a full specification test since in many specifications there are
tests that are difficult/complex to do or which involve specialised hardware. Generally, these can only
be done by an oil products laboratory that specialises in aviation oils and greases. Instead, a reduced
set of tests is specified for each product focusing on those properties which would reveal any
deterioration that has occurred in the product over the period in storage. In some cases the cost of re-
testing can be higher than the value of the product in stock and in such situations it is doubtful that it
makes economic sense to re-test the product. Where re-testing is undertaken then samples from each
and every batch involved must be taken according to the cube root rule (see attached table).
All testing must be conducted using the test methods called for in the specification for that product
(see below). All re-test results should be compared with the minimum/maximum limits in the relevant
specification and, importantly, with the original Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for that batch, to
determine if there are any significant changes since the product was packed. If the batch CoA is not
available, typical values as published in the AeroShell Book or other AeroShell publications can be
used as a guide. Based on this comparison, a decision can then be made as to the suitability of the
product for continued use or whether further testing is required, or whether the product should be
downgraded or discarded.
TO SUM UP
In general, AeroShell products are inherently stable. If stored properly, their quality, properties and
performance should not be affected by prolonged storage.
For greatest economic efficiency, stock levels and re-order level/frequency should be commensurate
with market demand and products should be issued from the warehouse in the order in which they
were received:
in other words: FIRST IN - FIRST OUT!
If, for some reason, a product has to be stored for longer than is economically desirable, and some
doubt arises about its quality, it is recommended that Shell technical staff should be contacted for
information about the product's continued usefulness for aviation applications.

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Sampling of Packed Stock of AeroShell Lubricants and Special Products
The number of packages* to be sampled shall not be less than the cube root of the total number of
containers in the batch. A list of guide numbers is given below. Sampling should be at random
throughout the batch.
Number of Number to be Number of Number to be
packages* sampled packages* sampled
1 1 1332 – 1728 12
2–8 2 1729 – 2197 13
9 – 27 3 2198 – 2744 14
28 – 64 4 2745 – 3375 15
65 – 125 5 3376 – 4096 16
126 – 216 6 4097 – 4913 17
217 – 343 7 4914 – 5823 18
344 – 512 8 5933 – 6859 19
513 – 729 9 6860 – 8000 20
730 – 1000 10 8001 – 9261 21
1001 – 1331 11 9262 – 10648 22
*Note: a carton, e.g. 24x1L tins, 4x3kg tins, etc. constitutes 1 package (provided
all the tins in the carton are from the same batch).

Test Methods to be used in Re-Testing

The test methods used for re-testing should be the same as those listed in the specification for that
product. The majority of these specifications can be downloaded, without charge, via the Internet.
US MIL Specifications and QPLs
The US Department of Defense site is http://assist.daps.dla.mil/quicksearch/
In the Document Number box, type the specification number (e.g. 23699).
Press Submit. The system will then list all specifications and QPLs with that number. (Note: there
may be several documents listed which incorporate this number, so you need to be sure to choose the
correct one). Click the one you require; follow through until the document itself downloads as an
Adobe Acrobat file which can be saved and/or printed.
UK MoD Defence Standards (DEF STANs)
The UK Ministry of Defence site is http://www.dstan.mod.uk/
On blue menu bar across the top of the screen, choose “Standards” and click “Defence Standards” on
the drop-down menu.
Accept the disclaimer.
From the Index, choose the appropriate class e.g. 91 for Fuels & Lubricants.
Listed standards can be downloaded as Acrobat files and saved and/or printed.
Alternatively, you can use the Search Box to go straight to a particular specification.

Shell Aviation – OIA/212

RETESTING_Issue 3.doc SAV-OIA/212 16/05/05 Page 3 of 3

PEOs, Mineral TEOs

Re-Test Requirements for Aero Shell Products

Sheet 1 - Engine Oils - Aviation/Piston; Engine Oils - Aviation/Turbine (Mineral)

Product ASO 65,80,100,120 ASO W65, W80, ASO W 15W- ASO ASO D ASTO 2 ASTO 3 ASTO 3SP
W100, W120 50 W100Plus 10W-40
Product Code(s) 001A0072,001A0073,0 001A0076,001A0077, 001A9612 001A9642 001B0741 001A0904 001A0079 001A0082
01A0070,001A0071 001A0074,001A0075
Specification SAE J-1966 SAE J-1899 SAE J-1899 SAE J-1899 - MIL-PRF-6081D DEF STAN 91-99/2 OST 38.001163
NATO Code No. O-113,O-115,O-117,- -, O-123,O125,O-128 O-162 - - O-133 O-135
Joint Service Designation(s) OM-107,OM-170, -, OMD-160, OMD-162 - - OM-10 OM-11
OM-270,OM-370 OMD-250, OMD-370

Re-Test Frequency (years) 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

Test Requirements
Appearance x x x x x x x x
Pour Point x x x x x x x x
Viscosity at 100ºC x x x x x
Viscosity at 40ºC x x x
TAN x x x x TBN x x x
Precipitation No (or sedimentation) x x x x x
Foaming x x x
Ash Content x x x x x x x
Copper Corrosion x x x x x x x
Colour x

The above tests are to be carried out in accordance with the appropriate specification

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ASTOs

Re-Test Requirements for Aero Shell Products

Sheet 2 - Engine Oils - Aviation/Turbine (Synthetic)

Product ASTO 308 ASTO 390 ASTO 750 ASTO 500/529 ASTO 531 ASTO 555 ASTO 560

Product Code 001A0080 001A0081 001A0086 001A0083/001A0912 001A0913 001A0084 001A0085

Specification MIL-PRF-7808L DEF STAN 91-94/2 DEF STAN 91-98/2 MIL-PRF-23699F MIL-PRF-23699F DEF STAN 91-100/3 MIL-PRF-23699F
NATO Code No. O-148 O-149 O-156 O-152 O-160 O-154
Joint Service Designation OX-9 OX-7 OX-38 OX-27 OX-26

Re-Test Frequency (years) 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

Test Requirements
Appearance x x x x x x x
Pour Point x
Viscosity at 100ºC x x x x x x x
Viscosity at -40ºC x x
Viscosity at -51ºC x
TAN x x x x x x x
Precipitation No x
Foaming x x

The above tests are to be carried out in accordance with the appropriate specification

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Hydraulic Fluids

Re-Test Requirements for Aero Shell Products

Sheet 3 - Hydraulic Fluids (aviation)

Product ASF 4 ASF 41 ASF 31 ASF 51 ASF 61 ASF 71 LGF SSF

Product Code 001A0049 001A0050 001A0048 001A0908 001A0053 001A0055 001A0069 001A0078
Specification DEF STAN 91-48/2 MIL-PRF-5606H MIL-PRF-83282D MIL-PRF-87257A MIL-PRF-46170D MIL-PRF-6083F BMS 3-32A BMS 3-32A
NATO Code No. H-520 H-515 H-537 H-538 H-544 C-635
Joint Service Designation OM-18 OM-15 OX-19 OX-538 PX-26

Re-Test Frequency (years) 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4

Test Requirements
Appearance x x x x x x x x
Pour Point x x x x
Flash Point x x
Viscosity at 40ºC x x x x x x
Viscosity at -40ºC x x x
TAN x x x x x x x
Copper Corrosion x x x
Particulate Contamination x x x x
Corrosion x
Protection x
Foaming x
Zinc content x x
Colour x x x x x x x x

The above tests are to be carried out in accordance with the appropriate specification

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Transmission Fluids

Re-Test Requirements for Aero Shell Products

Sheet 4 - Transmission Fluids (aviation)

Product ASF 5L-A ASF 5M-A ASF S.8350

Product Code 001A0051 001A0952 001A0911
Specification MIL-PRF-6086E MIL-PRF-6086E DTD900/4981A
NATO Code No. O-153 O-155
Joint Service Designation OEP-30 OEP-70 OEP-215

Re-Test Frequency (years) 4 4 3

Test Requirements
Appearance x x x
Pour Point x x x
Viscosity at 40ºC x x x
TAN x x x
Copper Corrosion x x x

The above tests are to be carried out in accordance with the appropriate specification

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Other Fluids

Re-Test Requirements for Aero Shell Products

Sheet 5 - Speciality Lubricants (aviation) - Page 1

Product ASF 1 ASF 2F ASF 2T ASF 2XN ASF 3 ASF 12 ASF 18

Product Code 001A0039 001A0044 001A0045 001A0046 001A0047 001A0041 001A0043
Specification DEF STAN 91-44 MIL-C-6529C MIL-C-6529C MIL-C-6529C MIL-PRF-7870C MIL-PRF-6085D MIL-PRF-32033
NATO Code No. O-134 C-609 C-610 C-608 O-142 O-147 O-190
Joint Service Designation OM-13 OX-270 ZX-17 ZX-21 OM-12 OX-14 OX-18

Re-Test Frequency (years) 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

Test Requirements
Appearance x x x x x x x
Pour Point x x
Flash Point
Viscosity at 40ºC x x x x
Viscosity at 54.4ºC x
Viscosity at 100ºC
Viscosity at -54ºC x
TAN x x
Copper Corrosion x x x
Particulate Contamination
Corrosion
Protection x x x x
Stability (high & low temp) x x
Oxidation x
Precipitation No. x x
Water Content
Load Carrying Capability

The above tests are to be carried out in accordance with the appropriate specification

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Other Fluids

Re-Test Requirem
Sheet 5 - Speciality Lubricants - Page 2

Product ASF 602 ASF 634 ASF CF2

Product Code 001A0909 001A0910 001A0032
Specification MIL-PRF-87252C MIL-PRF-63460D MIL-PRF-7024E
NATO Code No. S-1748 S-758
Joint Service Designation

Re-Test Frequency (years) 3 3 2

Test Requirements Test Requirements

Appearance x x Appearance x
Pour Point x Relative Density x
Flash Point x Viscosity at 37.8ºC x
Viscosity at 40ºC x Existent gum x
Viscosity at 54.4ºC Distillation IBP x
Viscosity at 100ºC x Distillation FBP x
Viscosity at -54ºC x Flash Point x
TAN x Particulate matter x
Copper Corrosion Copper Corrosion x
Particulate Contamination Total acidity x
Corrosion
Protection
Stability (high & low temp)
Oxidation
Precipitation No.
Water Content x
Load Carrying Capability x

The above tests are to be carrie

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Greases

Re-Test Requirements for Aero Shell Products

Sheet 7 - Aviation Greases - Page 1

Product ASG 5 ASG 6 ASG 7 ASG 11MS ASG 14 ASG 15 ASG 16 ASG 17 ASG 22/22CF
Product Code 001A0063 001A0064 001A0065 001A906 001A0914 001A0835 001A0057 001A0058 001A0059/00836
Specification MIL-G-3545C MIL-PRF-24139A MIL-PRF-23827C MIL-G-25537C MIL-G-25013E MIL-G-25760A MIL-G-21164D MIL-PRF-81322G
NATO Code No. G-359 G-450/G-382 G-354 G-366 G-372 G-361 G-353 G-395
Joint Service Designation XG-227 XG-274/271 XG-284 XG-300 XG-292 XG-293

Re-Test Frequency (years) 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Test Requirements
Appearance (including visual oil
separation) x x x x x x x x x
Penetration (worked) x x x x x x x x x
Working stability x x x x x x x
Copper Corrosion x x x x x x x x x
Steel Corrosion
Dropping point x x x x x x x x x
Odour x x x x x x x x x
Oil Separation x x x x x x x x x
Rust Preventative Properties x x x x x x
Resistance to aqueous solutions
Fuel resistance

The above tests are to be carried out in accordance with the appropriate specification

Retest Requirements_2.xls Page 1 of 2

Greases

Re-Test Requirements fo
Sheet 7 - Aviation Greases - Page 2

Product ASG 23C ASG 33 ASG 33MS ASG 43C ASG S.4768 ASG S.7108 ASC 08
Product Code 001A0061 001A0903 001B1683 001A0062 001A0067 001A0068 001A0907
Specification MIL-G-81827A MIL-PRF-23827C MIL-G-21164D SAE-AMS-G-4343 DEF STAN 80-81/3 SAE-AMS-G-6032 SAE-AMS 2518A
NATO Code No. G-354 G-353 G-392 S-722 G-363 S-720
Joint Service Designation XG-287 XG-276 XG-269 ZX-38 XG-235 ZX-13

Re-Test Frequency (years) 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Test Requirements
Appearance (including visual oil
separation) x x x x x x x
Penetration (worked) x x x x x x (unworked) x
Working stability x x x
Copper Corrosion x x x x x x
Steel Corrosion
Dropping point x x x x x
Odour x x x x x
Oil Separation x x x x x (visual)
Rust Preventative Properties x x x x
Resistance to aqueous solutions x
Fuel resistance x

The above tests are to be carried out in ac

Retest Requirements_2.xls Page 2 of 2

Compounds

Re-Test Requirements for Aero Shell Products

Sheet 6 - Speciality Lubricants (aviation) - Page 3

Product ASC 02 ASC 05 ASC 06A ASC 07

Product Code 001A0033 001A0034 001A0036 001A0037
Specification DEF STAN 80-217 DEF STAN 80-85 BS.1595 DTD.406B
NATO Code No. C-614 C-628 S-737 S-745
Joint Service Designation PX-1 PX-11 AL-11 AL-5

Re-Test Frequency (years) 4 4 4 2

Test Requirements
Appearance x x x x
Acidity x
Relative Density x x
pH value x
Water Content x
Copper Corrosion x x
Film Appearance x
Drying Rate x
Melting Point x
Stability of wax dispersion x x
Ash Content x
Penetration (worked) x

The above tests are to be carried out in accordance with the appropriate specification

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