Dropping point is used in combination with other testable properties to determine the suitability of greases for specific applications and for use in quality control.
The test tube is lowered into the container which is filled with oil in D-566 and has an aluminum block in D-2265.
To execute a test, the oil/block is heated, while being stirred, at a rate of 8 °F (4.4 °C) to 12 °F (6.7 °C) per minute until the temperature is approximately 30 °F (17 °C) below the expected dropping point.
D-2265 explains that the dropping point is useful to assist in identifying the type of grease, and for establishing and maintaining benchmarks for quality control.
It adds that the results are not sufficient to assess service performance because dropping point is a static test.