Post on 27-Mar-2021
NLGI’s NEW High-Performance Multiuse (HPM) Grease Specifications - Development Details
Agenda
§ History & Goals§ HPM Specification Details§ GC-LB Comparison§ Special Applications§ Compatibility§ Trademark/Licensing§ Future Plans§ Q&AJoe Kaperick
Afton Chemical CorporationChuck Coe,
Grease Technology Solutions, LLC
1966 – Initial
discussions to develop
automotive service
grease specification –
NLGI, ASTM, SAE
1989 – Publication of
ASTM D4950 “Standard
Classification and
Specification for
Automotive Service
Greases”; NLGI begins
certification of greases
against new
specification.
2012 – Discussion
begun within
ASTM/NLGI around
need to review/fix
some tests within
ASTM D4950.
2015 – NLGI establishes
WG to discuss upgrades
to GC-LB specification.
2019 – NLGI decides to
move forward with
proposal for new set of
specifications in parallel
to existing G & L service
specifications.
NLGI Specifications work – Historical Perspective History & Goals
NLGI Grease Specifications Working GroupNLGI membership – open meetings
(initial discussions, form, structure and process for new spec)
NLGI Grease Specifications Steering CommitteeCQA, NLGI tech consultant, NLGI EC,
representatives from the Board & membership(draft recommendation of new grease spec)
NLGI Executive Committee (review recommendations)
NLGI Board of Directors (final approval)
June 2015 – June 2019Grease Specifications Working Group Meetings
July – Sept. 2019• Hire Center for Quality Assurance (CQA)• Form NLGI Grease Specifications Steering Committee • Hire Technical Consultant
October 2019 – May 2020• CQA, Tech Consultant & Steering Committee Work• Full day workshop - March 2020 (Atlanta à Virtual)
June 2020• Grease Spec Working Group Update (Virtual)• Finalization Meeting at NLGI AM à Virtual
July – September 2020• Grease Specs Steering Committee - Final limits• NLGI EC and Board of Directors Approve
October – December 2020• NLGI HQ/CQA publicize the new specification
January 2021Launch HPM Grease specifications
Grease Specification Governance Structure and Timeline History & Goals
High Performance Multiuse (HPM) Grease Specifications
• Overall Goal: Define new grease specification categories with higher performance and broader utility for the market• Will NOT replace GC-LB
• Additional Goal: Define greases that meet core HPM specification andsub-categories with tests and limits for enhanced performance in the following areas:• Water Resistance (WR)• High Load Carrying Capacity (HL)• Salt Water Corrosion Resistance (CR)• Low Temperature Performance (LT)• High Temperature/Long Life (LL) [under discussion for future]
• Enhanced performance sub-categories must meet core HPM performance as well
History & Goals
HPMHPM+WR HPM+CR HPM+HL HPM+LT
High Performance Multiuse (HPM) Grease Specifications
• Strategy• Build specifications based on grease’s ability to perform under
identified conditions• Obtain feedback from multiple stakeholders• Form cross-functional steering committee • Set performance limits to be challenging yet achievable• Strengthen certification and audit process
• Benefits• Provide tools to marketers for better communication• Educate end-users regarding grease capabilities• Unified guidance based on performance of grease• Increased product quality with higher level of audit/certification
testing
History & Goals
High Performance Multiuse (HPM) Grease Specifications
• Final specifications have been approved by NLGI Board
• Performance-based specification:
• Range of NLGI grades (#1 to #3) to allow for needs of application
• Performance is key:
• Is the grease capable of supporting high loads?
• Is the grease able to prevent corrosion?
• Does the structure of the grease hold up to extended operation?
• Does not specify type of thickener, base oil, additive, or other raw
materials
• Grease is certified to meet performance as specified
• End user is assured of performance
• Allows optimization of cost/performance to meet market needs
• Does not prevent grease marketer from highlighting other areas of performance, chemistry, etc.
History & Goals
How were the limits chosen for the HPM specifications?
The limits chosen for the tests in the HPM specifications were selected in one of several ways:• Based on ASTM D4950, plus readily available data from public sources, and
industry marketing specifications and claims• Feedback from an extensive interview process conducted with end users,
GC-LB certification holders and OEMs• March 25th virtual workshop feedback• Steering committee Internal data review• Validation testing
MIN - MAX
History & Goals
Property Test Conditions Test method Units Min Max Comments
Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease Worked 60 Strokes ASTM D217 dmm 220 340 same as GC-LB
Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease Prolonged worked penetration (Δ100k)
ASTM D217 dmm -30 +30 common test, challenging limits
Elastomer compatibility of Lubricating Greases and Fluids [using NBR standard reference elastomer per ISO 13226]
168 hours @ 125 °C ASTM D4289
ΔHardness (Shore A points)
-15 +2based on GC, with new conditions
Δ Volume percent
-5 +30
Oxidation Stability of Lubricating Greases by the Oxygen Pressure Vessel Method
Pressure drop after 100hrs @ 100 °C
ASTM D942kPa(psi)
35(4.9)
common industry spec
Determining the Water Washout Characteristics of Lubricating Greases
60 minutes @ 79 °C ASTM D1264 wt% 10 based on GC
Low Temperature Torque of Ball Bearing Grease
-20 °C ASTM D1478
change from D4693 and change in temperature
Starting torquemNm(g·cm)
1000(10,200)
Running torque @ 60 minutes mNm(g·cm)
100(1,020)
High-Performance Multiuse grease specification (part 1)HPM Specification Details
Property Test Conditions Test method Units Min Max Comments
Oil Separation from Lubricating Grease During Storage 24 hours @ 25 °C ASTM D1742 wt% 5.0 based on GC
Oil Separation from Lubricating Grease (Conical Sieve Method) 30 hours @ 100 °C ASTM D6184 wt% 7.0 new test, more severe
Roll Stability of Lubricating Grease [using 1/2 scale penetration]
2 hours @ Room Temperature ASTM D1831 dmm -10% +10% common industry spec
Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method) Wear Scar Diameter
75 °C, 1200 rpm, 60 minutes ASTM D2266 mm 0.60 common industry spec
Measurement of Extreme-Pressure Properties of Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method), Weld point
1770 rpm @ 27 °C ASTM D2596 kgf 250 common industry spec
Determining Corrosion Preventive Properties of Lubricating Greases 48 hours @ 52 °C ASTM D1743 rating Pass same as GC-LB
Determination of Corrosion-Preventive Properties of Lubricating Greases Under Dynamic Wet Conditions (Emcor Test)
Distilled Water, 2 bearings ASTM D6138 rating 0,1 new test, adds dynamic test
Detection of Copper Corrosion from Lubricating Grease 24 hours @ 100 °C ASTM D4048 rating 1B common industry spec
High-Performance Multiuse grease specification (part 2) HPM Specification Details
Property Test Conditions Test method Units Min Max Comments
Determining the Water Washout
Characteristics of Lubricating Greases60 minutes @ 79 °C ASTMD1264 wt% 5.0
based on GC, but more severe than
HPM
Determining the Resistance of Lubricating
Grease to Water Spray5 minutes @ 38 °C ASTM D4049 wt% 40 new test
Roll Stability of Lubricating Grease in
Presence of Water [using 1/2 scale
penetration]
2 hours @ Room
TemperatureASTM D8022 dmm -15% +15% new test
High-Performance Multiuse grease specification + Water Resistance
HPM Specification Details
Property Test Conditions Test method Units Min Max Comments
Corrosion-Preventive Properties of Lubricating Greases in Presence of Dilute Synthetic Sea Water Environments
10% Synthetic seawater(as in ASTM D665) ASTM D5969 rating Pass new test, more severe than HPM
D1743
Determination of Corrosion-Preventive Properties of Lubricating Greases Under Dynamic Wet Conditions (Emcor Test)
100% Synthetic seawater
(as in ASTM D665)ASTM D6138 rating 1 , 2 new test, more severe than HPM
D6138
Determination of Corrosion-Preventive Properties of Lubricating Greases Under Dynamic Wet Conditions (Emcor Test)
0.5 N solution (~ 3% NaCl solution) ASTM D6138 rating 2 , 3 new test, more severe than HPM
D6138
High-Performance Multiuse grease specification + Corrosion Resistance
HPM Specification Details
Property Test Conditions Test method Units Min Max Comments
Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method)
Wear Scar Diameter
75 °C, 1200 rpm, 60 minutes
ASTM D2266
mm 0.50 more severe than HPM
Measurement of Extreme-Pressure Properties of Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method), Weld point
1770 rpm @ 27 °CASTM D2596
kgf 400 more severe than HPM
Determining Extreme Pressure Properties of Lubricating Greases Using a High-Frequency, Linear-Oscillation (SRV) Test Machine
(Procedure B at 80 °C)ASTM D5706
N 800 new test
Fretting Wear Protection by Lubricating Greases
Average of 2 runs, 22 hours @ Room
Temperature
ASTM D4170
mg 5.0will use provisional licensing until
ASTM "fixes" test
Determining Fretting Wear Resistance of Lubricating Greases Under High
Hertzian Contact Pressures Using a High-Frequency, Linear-Oscillation (SRV) Test Machine
50 °C, 100N, 0.300mm,4 hours
ASTM D7594
mm 0.500 new test
High-Performance Multiuse grease specification + High Load
HPM Specification Details
Property Test Conditions Test method Units Min Max Comments
Low Temperature Torque of Ball Bearing Grease -30 °C ASTM D1478
change from D4693 and change in temperatureStarting torque mNm
(g·cm)1000
(10,200)
Running torque @ 60 minutes mNm(g·cm)
100(1,020)
Grease Mobility -20 °C US Steel LT-37 g/min 10 new test, still needs standardization
and precision
Determination of flow pressure of lubricating greases according to Kesternich method
-30 °C DIN 51805 mbar 1400 new test
High-Performance Multiuse grease specification + Low Temperature
HPM Specification Details
GC-LB (ASTM D4950)
High Performance Multiuse (HPM)
Test Name Units Method HPM Core+ Water
Resistance (WR)
+ Corrosion Resistance
(CR)
+ High Load (HL)
+ Low Temp (LT)
Worked-60 Pen dmm D217 220 - 340 220 -340 Bearing rust (DI) rating D1743 Pass PassBearing rust (10% SSW) rating D5969 PassEmcor rust test (distilled water), max rating D6138 0,1Emcor rust (100% SSW), max rating D6138 1 , 2Emcor rust (0.5 N NaCl solution), max rating D6138 2 , 3Four-Ball wear, max mm D2266 0.6 0.60 0.50Four-Ball weld, min kgf D2596 200 250 400Four-Ball LWI, min kgf D2596 30SRV step load, (Proc. B at 80 °C), min N D5706 800Fretting wear (wt loss), ave 2, max mg D4170 5Fretting wear scar by SRV, max mm D7594 0.500Fretting protection, max mg D4170 10Dropping point, min °C (°F) D566/D2265 220 (428)High temp life, max hrs D3527 80Oxid. stability, 100 hrs, 100 °C, max ΔkPa (psi) D942 35 (4.9)Copper corrosion, 24 hrs, 100 °C, max rating D4048 1b
NLGI Grease Specifications – GC-LB and HPM GC-LB Comparison
GC-LB (ASTM D4950)
High Performance Multiuse (HPM)
Test Name Units Method HPM Core+ Water
Resistance (WR)
+ Corrosion Resistance
(CR)
+ High Load (HL)
+ Low Temp (LT)
CR Volume Change Δ Vol % D4289 0 to 40CR Hardness Change ΔHardness D4289 -15 to 0NBR Volume Change Δ Vol % D4289 -5 to 30NBR Hardness Change ΔHardness D4289 -15 to 2NBR (ISO 13226), 168 hrs at 125 °C ΔHardness D4289 -15 to +2
Δ Vol % D4289 -5 to +30Prolonged worked pen (Δ10k) dmm D217 +/- 30Water washout, % loss, max wt% D1264 15 10 5Water spray off, max wt% D4049 40Wet roll stability (pen change) dmm D8022 +/- 15%High temp bleed (30 hr, 100 °C), max wt% D6184 7Roll stability (2 hrs, RT) dmm D1831 +/-10%Oil sep (24 hrs @ 25 °C), % loss, max wt% D1742 6 5Leakage, grams loss, max g D4290 10
NLGI Grease Specifications – GC-LB and HPM GC-LB Comparison
GC-LB (ASTM D4950)
High Performance Multiuse (HPM)
Test Name Units Method HPM Core+ Water
Resistance (WR)
+ Corrosion Resistance
(CR)
+ High Load (HL)
+ Low Temp (LT)
Low temp torque ball bearing, -20 °C D1478Starting torque, max mNm(g·cm) 1000(10,200)Running torque, max mNm(g·cm) 100(1,020)
Low temp torque @ -40 °C, max N-m D4693 15.5Low temp torque ball bearing, -30 °C D1478
Starting torque, max mNm (g·cm) 1000(10,200)Running torque, max mNm (g·cm) 100(1,020)
U. S. Steel mobility, -20 °C, min g/min LT-37 10Low temp flow (Kesternich), -30 °C, max mbar DIN 51805-
2 1400
NLGI Grease Specifications – GC-LB and HPM GC-LB Comparison
What about the specifications for specialized industries or specialized applications that need even higher performance?
• The HPM grease specifications are not designed to satisfy all applications or industries.
Special Applications
• Grease incompatibility can lead to lubrication and equipment failure and is therefore an important issue.
Compatibility
• Operators and end users may not always be aware of the risks involved when considering a change of grease in an application. This is true regardless of whether the grease(s) involved are HPM greases or any other greases.
• The grease user to ensure compatibility if changing greases. Generally, grease suppliers can provide compatibility information, if asked.
• The use of publicly available grease compatibility charts is not recommended
Compatibility
How will the end-user ensure that greases of different chemistries certifying to the HPM specifications will be compatible in real application situations?
• Because the HPM and HPM+ specifications are “chemistry neutral”, there is a possibility for different HPM-certified greases to be incompatible, even if the greases are from the same supplier.
• If NLGI were to include some sort of compatibility requirement in the HPM specifications, it would likely lead to exclusion of some types of grease thickener technologies, which goes against the HPM specification “chemistry neutral” design principles.
• Given the wide variety of chemistries utilized in grease products, there is no way to include such a compatibility requirement in the HPM specifications.
Compatibility
Certification and Audit process• Improvements in certification and renewal processing• NLGI working with 3rd party to streamline and strengthen process• Samples to be submitted for testing as part of certification and
renewal• Data required with submissions
• Renewal samples eligible for audit testing by 3rd party
Trademark/Licensing
Trademark Timeline:Ø October 2020 – Initial Trademark Filing BeginsØ November 2020 – Application/Qualification Process BeginsØ January 2021 – Companies can start using the mark on
products as long as they’ve received approval.Ø January 2021 - June 2021 – Notice of Allowance• Statement of Product (first use of commercial product)
Ø Fall 2021 – Trademark Registration Approval
Trademark/Licensing
Trademark Logos with Tags
Combinations• High Load• Corrosion Resistance• Water Resistance• Low Temperature• Other Combinations
Possible
Trademark/Licensing
Trademark Logos with Tags – cont.
Combinations• High Load• Corrosion Resistance• Water Resistance• Low Temperature• Other Combinations
Possible
Trademark/Licensing
Trademark process to begin in early October 2020:Ø North AmericaØ Asia• China• Japan• Thailand• India
Ø Europe (except Great Britain)Ø AustraliaØ South America• Brazil
Trademark/Licensing
What Can Companies Start Doing?
1. View more HPM details on NLGI websiteØ www.nlgi.org
Ø Technical ResourcesØ Certifications
Ø High-Performance Multiuse Grease (HPM) Grease Specification
Trademark/Licensing
1. View more HPM details on NLGI websiteØ www.nlgi.org
Ø Technical ResourcesØ Certifications
Ø High-Performance Multiuse Grease (HPM) Grease Specification
2. Start formulating products to match HPM specification details3. Follow instructions on how to apply for the mark, beginning in
Fall 2020
What Can Companies Start Doing?
Trademark/Licensing
Please stay tuned for more detailed announcements on HPM pricing and process.
How to Apply for HPM? Trademark/Licensing
Website will be updated as new information is available
Ø Click on HPM Scrolling Ad on HomepageØ Access to Press Releases, Updates on
Application Process and MoreContinued communications from NLGI HQ
Ø Contact us at NLGI@nlgi.org to be added to distribution for future communications
Additional Communication/Information Trademark/Licensing
Future plans – HPM and Beyond• After launch of HPM core specification and enhanced performance sub-
categories• Continue work on High Temperature/Long Life category (2 to 5 years)• Continue to refine testing and work on reproducibility issues in conjunction
with ASTM• Adjust or add to specifications as needed to reflect testing capabilities and
industry needs • “Living Document”
• Active involvement from NLGI membership and industry partners in steering process into the future
Future Plans
Questions?
Contact UsØ Joe Kaperick, Joe.Kaperick@aftonchemical.comØ Chuck Coe, chuckcoe@grease-tech.comØ NLGI HQ, nlgi@nlgi.org
Q&A