DF Sales&Marketing
Oil Tech Moderator
To our readers:
almost two weeks ago, the subject of grease stirred up some good discussion on this forum, with that in mind and the fact that I came across a pretty good article, I thought I would start a new thread for you to understand a little more about grease basics..... It is not an attempt to sell anything, but it is meant to further educate you, as I always try to do.
Hope you enjoy it!
Dick floryanowich
swepco
in part from machinery lubrication magazine
The American society for testing and materials (astm) defines lubricating grease as: “a solid to semi-fluid product of dispersion of a thickening agent in liquid lubricant. Other ingredients imparting special properties May be included.”
grease anatomy
As this definition indicates, there are three components that form lubricating grease. These components are oil, thickener and additives. The base oil and additive package are the major components in grease formulations, and as such, exert considerable influence on the behavior of the grease. The thickener is often referred to as a sponge that holds the lubricant (base oil plus additives).
base oil
Most greases produced today use mineral oil as their fluid components. These mineral oil-based greases typically provide satisfactory performance in most applications.
thickener The thickener is a material that, in combination with the selected lubricant, will produce the solid to semi-fluid structure. The primary type of thickener used in current grease is metallic soap. These soaps include lithium, aluminum, clay, polyurea, sodium and calcium. Lately, complex thickener-type greases are gaining popularity. They are being selected because of their high dropping points and excellent load carrying abilities.
Complex greases are made by combining the conventional metallic soap with a complexing agent. The most widely used complex grease is lithium based. These are made with a combination of conventional lithium soap and a low-molecular weight organic acid as the complexing agent.
Non-soap thickeners are also gaining popularity in special applications such as high-temperature environments. Bentonite and silica aerogel are two examples of thickeners that do not melt at high temperatures. (note that even though the thickener May be able to withstand high temperatures, the base oil will still oxidize quickly at elevated temperatures and even ignite without the grease melting)
additives
Additives can play several roles in a lubricating grease. These primarily include enhancing the existing desirable properties, suppressing the existing undesirable properties, and imparting new properties. The most common additives are oxidation and rust inhibitors, extreme pressure, antiwear, and friction-reducing agents.
In addition to these additives, boundary lubricants such as molybdenum disulfide (moly) or graphite May be suspended in the grease to reduce friction and wear without adverse chemical reactions to the metal surfaces during heavy loading and slow speeds.
function The function of grease is to remain in contact with and lubricate moving surfaces without leaking out under the force of gravity, centrifugal action or being squeezed out under pressure. Its major practical requirement is that it retains its properties under shear forces at all temperatures it experiences during use.
applications suitable for grease
Grease and oil are not interchangeable. Grease is used when it is not practical or convenient to use oil. The lubricant choice for a specific application is determined by matching the machinery design and operating conditions with desired lubricant characteristics. Grease is generally used for:
• machinery that runs intermittently or is in storage for an extended period of time. Because grease remains in place, a lubricating film can instantly form.
• machinery that is not easily accessible for frequent lubrication. High-quality greases can lubricate isolated or relatively inaccessible components for extended periods of time without frequent replenishing. These greases are also used in sealed-for-life applications such as some electrical motors and gearboxes.
• machinery operating under extreme conditions such as high temperatures and pressures, shock loads or slow speed under heavy load.
• worn components. Grease maintains thicker films in clearances enlarged by wear and can extend the life of worn parts that were previously lubricated by oil.
functional properties of grease
• grease functions as a sealant to minimize leakage and to keep out contaminants. Because of its consistency , grease acts as a sealant to prevent lubricant leakage and also to prevent entrance of corrosive contaminants and foreign materials. It also acts to keep deteriorated seals effective.
• grease is easier to contain than oil. Oil lubrication can require an expensive system of circulating equipment and complex retention devices. In comparison, grease, by virtue of its rigidity, is easily confined with simplified, less costly retention devices.
• grease holds solid lubricants in suspension. Finely ground solid lubricants, such as molybdenum disulfide (moly) and graphite, are mixed with grease in high temp service or in extreme high pressure applications. Grease holds solids in suspension while solids will settle out of oils.
• fluid level does not have to be controlled and monitored.
characteristics
As with oil, grease displays its own set of characteristics that must be considered when being chosen for an application. The characteristics commonly found on product data sheets include the following:
pumpability
Pumpability is the ability of a grease to be pumped or pushed through a system. More practically, pumpability is the ease with which a pressurized grease can flow through lines, nozzles and fittings of grease-dispensing systems.
water resistance
This is the ability of a grease to withstand the effects of water with no change in its ability to lubricate. A soap/water lather May suspend the oil in the grease, forming an emulsion that can wash away or, to a lesser extent, reduce lubricity by diluting and changing grease consistency and texture.
consistency
Grease consistency depends on the type and amount of thickener used and the viscosity of its base oil. A grease’s consistency is its resistance to deformation by an applied force. The measure of consistency is called penetration. Penetration depends on whether the consistency has been altered by handling or working. To measure penetration, a cone of given weight is allowed to sink into a grease for five seconds at a standard temperature of 25ºc (77ºf).
The depth, in tenths of a millimeter, to which the cone sinks into the grease is penetration. A penetration of 100 would represent a solid grease while a penetration of 430 would be semi-fluid. The nlgi has established consistency numbers or grade numbers, ranging from 000 to 6, corresponding to specified ranges of penetration numbers. (editors note: swepco greases are available in many formulations from nlgi #00, semi fluid through nlgi #2, the most common) - see attached penetration chart (sorry for the "fuzzy" chart)
dropping point
Dropping point is an indicator of the heat resistance of grease. As grease temperature increases, penetration increases until the grease liquefies and the desired consistency is lost. The dropping point is the temperature at which a grease is fluid enough to drip. The dropping point indicates the upper temperature limit at which a grease retains its structure, not the maximum temperature at which a grease May be used.
oxidation stability
This is the ability of a grease to resist a chemical union with oxygen. The reaction of grease with oxygen produces insoluble gum, sludges and lacquer-like deposits that cause sluggish operation, increased wear and reduction of clearances. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures accelerates oxidation in greases.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
The word “slumpability” sounds strange and May conjure thoughts of your 3rd grade teachers repeated reminders to sit-up and quit “slumping” in your desk.
The meaning of the word as it applies to greases is similar. The slumpability of a grease relates to how feedable it is, or its ability to be drawn into a pump. For example, if a grease is pumped from the bottom of a supply tank through a pipe, it is essential for further grease to continually take its place for the pumping to be able to continue. Otherwise, the pump will lose its prime. The grease must be able to fall or “slump” from the sides of the tank to the pumping zone.
Fibrous or stringy greases typically have better feedability or slumpability characteristics than greases that are buttery (not fibrous). However, these same greases on occasion can prove more difficult to push downstream of the pump through piping.
Currently there is no standard test for slumpability.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
almost two weeks ago, the subject of grease stirred up some good discussion on this forum, with that in mind and the fact that I came across a pretty good article, I thought I would start a new thread for you to understand a little more about grease basics..... It is not an attempt to sell anything, but it is meant to further educate you, as I always try to do.
Hope you enjoy it!
Dick floryanowich
swepco
in part from machinery lubrication magazine
The American society for testing and materials (astm) defines lubricating grease as: “a solid to semi-fluid product of dispersion of a thickening agent in liquid lubricant. Other ingredients imparting special properties May be included.”
grease anatomy
As this definition indicates, there are three components that form lubricating grease. These components are oil, thickener and additives. The base oil and additive package are the major components in grease formulations, and as such, exert considerable influence on the behavior of the grease. The thickener is often referred to as a sponge that holds the lubricant (base oil plus additives).
base oil
Most greases produced today use mineral oil as their fluid components. These mineral oil-based greases typically provide satisfactory performance in most applications.
thickener The thickener is a material that, in combination with the selected lubricant, will produce the solid to semi-fluid structure. The primary type of thickener used in current grease is metallic soap. These soaps include lithium, aluminum, clay, polyurea, sodium and calcium. Lately, complex thickener-type greases are gaining popularity. They are being selected because of their high dropping points and excellent load carrying abilities.
Complex greases are made by combining the conventional metallic soap with a complexing agent. The most widely used complex grease is lithium based. These are made with a combination of conventional lithium soap and a low-molecular weight organic acid as the complexing agent.
Non-soap thickeners are also gaining popularity in special applications such as high-temperature environments. Bentonite and silica aerogel are two examples of thickeners that do not melt at high temperatures. (note that even though the thickener May be able to withstand high temperatures, the base oil will still oxidize quickly at elevated temperatures and even ignite without the grease melting)
additives
Additives can play several roles in a lubricating grease. These primarily include enhancing the existing desirable properties, suppressing the existing undesirable properties, and imparting new properties. The most common additives are oxidation and rust inhibitors, extreme pressure, antiwear, and friction-reducing agents.
In addition to these additives, boundary lubricants such as molybdenum disulfide (moly) or graphite May be suspended in the grease to reduce friction and wear without adverse chemical reactions to the metal surfaces during heavy loading and slow speeds.
function The function of grease is to remain in contact with and lubricate moving surfaces without leaking out under the force of gravity, centrifugal action or being squeezed out under pressure. Its major practical requirement is that it retains its properties under shear forces at all temperatures it experiences during use.
applications suitable for grease
Grease and oil are not interchangeable. Grease is used when it is not practical or convenient to use oil. The lubricant choice for a specific application is determined by matching the machinery design and operating conditions with desired lubricant characteristics. Grease is generally used for:
• machinery that runs intermittently or is in storage for an extended period of time. Because grease remains in place, a lubricating film can instantly form.
• machinery that is not easily accessible for frequent lubrication. High-quality greases can lubricate isolated or relatively inaccessible components for extended periods of time without frequent replenishing. These greases are also used in sealed-for-life applications such as some electrical motors and gearboxes.
• machinery operating under extreme conditions such as high temperatures and pressures, shock loads or slow speed under heavy load.
• worn components. Grease maintains thicker films in clearances enlarged by wear and can extend the life of worn parts that were previously lubricated by oil.
functional properties of grease
• grease functions as a sealant to minimize leakage and to keep out contaminants. Because of its consistency , grease acts as a sealant to prevent lubricant leakage and also to prevent entrance of corrosive contaminants and foreign materials. It also acts to keep deteriorated seals effective.
• grease is easier to contain than oil. Oil lubrication can require an expensive system of circulating equipment and complex retention devices. In comparison, grease, by virtue of its rigidity, is easily confined with simplified, less costly retention devices.
• grease holds solid lubricants in suspension. Finely ground solid lubricants, such as molybdenum disulfide (moly) and graphite, are mixed with grease in high temp service or in extreme high pressure applications. Grease holds solids in suspension while solids will settle out of oils.
• fluid level does not have to be controlled and monitored.
characteristics
As with oil, grease displays its own set of characteristics that must be considered when being chosen for an application. The characteristics commonly found on product data sheets include the following:
pumpability
Pumpability is the ability of a grease to be pumped or pushed through a system. More practically, pumpability is the ease with which a pressurized grease can flow through lines, nozzles and fittings of grease-dispensing systems.
water resistance
This is the ability of a grease to withstand the effects of water with no change in its ability to lubricate. A soap/water lather May suspend the oil in the grease, forming an emulsion that can wash away or, to a lesser extent, reduce lubricity by diluting and changing grease consistency and texture.
consistency
Grease consistency depends on the type and amount of thickener used and the viscosity of its base oil. A grease’s consistency is its resistance to deformation by an applied force. The measure of consistency is called penetration. Penetration depends on whether the consistency has been altered by handling or working. To measure penetration, a cone of given weight is allowed to sink into a grease for five seconds at a standard temperature of 25ºc (77ºf).
The depth, in tenths of a millimeter, to which the cone sinks into the grease is penetration. A penetration of 100 would represent a solid grease while a penetration of 430 would be semi-fluid. The nlgi has established consistency numbers or grade numbers, ranging from 000 to 6, corresponding to specified ranges of penetration numbers. (editors note: swepco greases are available in many formulations from nlgi #00, semi fluid through nlgi #2, the most common) - see attached penetration chart (sorry for the "fuzzy" chart)
dropping point
Dropping point is an indicator of the heat resistance of grease. As grease temperature increases, penetration increases until the grease liquefies and the desired consistency is lost. The dropping point is the temperature at which a grease is fluid enough to drip. The dropping point indicates the upper temperature limit at which a grease retains its structure, not the maximum temperature at which a grease May be used.
oxidation stability
This is the ability of a grease to resist a chemical union with oxygen. The reaction of grease with oxygen produces insoluble gum, sludges and lacquer-like deposits that cause sluggish operation, increased wear and reduction of clearances. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures accelerates oxidation in greases.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
does your grease slump?
The word “slumpability” sounds strange and May conjure thoughts of your 3rd grade teachers repeated reminders to sit-up and quit “slumping” in your desk.
The meaning of the word as it applies to greases is similar. The slumpability of a grease relates to how feedable it is, or its ability to be drawn into a pump. For example, if a grease is pumped from the bottom of a supply tank through a pipe, it is essential for further grease to continually take its place for the pumping to be able to continue. Otherwise, the pump will lose its prime. The grease must be able to fall or “slump” from the sides of the tank to the pumping zone.
Fibrous or stringy greases typically have better feedability or slumpability characteristics than greases that are buttery (not fibrous). However, these same greases on occasion can prove more difficult to push downstream of the pump through piping.
Currently there is no standard test for slumpability.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
“no matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helps you.”