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Greases

If, for structural reasons, no oil lubrication is possible or if a cooling function is not required, a lubricating grease is used in most cases. Greases consist of a base oil that is bound by a thickener (soap). This ensures that the lubricant remains at the lubricating point. There it ensures permanently effective protection against…

If, for structural reasons, no oil lubrication is possible or if a cooling function is not required, a lubricating grease is used in most cases. Greases consist of a base oil that is bound by a thickener (soap). This ensures that the lubricant remains at the lubricating point. There it ensures permanently effective protection against friction and wear and seals the lubricating point against external influences such as moisture and foreign matter. Greases are often used at rolling and friction bearings, spindles, fittings, seals, guides, but also at chains and gears.

Characteristics of greases

Characteristic Standard Description
Base oil viscosity DIN 51561 Influences the speed range and load capacity of a grease
Drop point DIN ISO 2176 Exceeding of this temperature results in destruction of the grease structure
Operating temperature DIN 51805
DIN 51821/2
(Wälzlager)
Temperature range of the optimal performance at roller bearing greases
Speed parameter
(DN value)

 

 

Maximum rotating speed up to which a grease can be used in a roller bearing
Consistency DIN ISO 2137 Dimension for the stability of a grease (worked/unworked penetration)
NLGI grade DIN 51818 Classification to the consistency classes to DIN ISO 2137
Four-ball test DIN 51350 Determining of the wear protection and of the maximum load capacity of a roller bearing grease

Structure of greases

The main difference in the structure of greases compared to oil is the thickener which determines the typical performance features of a grease. Modern lubricating greases are formulated so that their active ingredients form an emergency running lubricating film in case of critical stresses and ensure operational reliability.

Thickener (soap)

Operating temperature [ °C]
Mineral oil

Operating temperature [ °C]
Syntheseöl
Drop point [ °C] Water resistance Load capacity
 Calcium -30 -> +50  n.a.  <100

++

 Lithium -35 -> +120 -60 -> +160  170/200

+

-

 Al-complex -30 -> +140 -60 -> +160  >230

+

-

 Ba-complex -25 -> +140 -60 -> +160  >220

++

++ 

 Ca-complex -30 -> +140 -60 -> +160  >190

++

++

 Li-complex -40 -> +140 -60 -> +160 >220

+

-

 bentonitee -40 -> +140 -60 -> +180  ohne

+

-

 Polycarbamide -30 -> +160 -40 -> +160  250

+

-

Compatibility of greases

In addition to the compatibility of the base oils, the miscibility of the thickeners has to be taken into account when changing greases. An incompatibility has a negative influence on the performance of the lubricating grease.

  Ca-soap Cax-soap Li-soap Lix-Seife Li / Ca-
soap
Na-soap bentonitee Bax-soap Alx-soap Polycarbamide
Ca-soap    
Cax-soap    
Li-soap    
Lix-soap      
Li / Ca-soap    
Na-soap            
bentonitee    
Bax-soap  ■
Alx-soap            
Polycarbamide  

■ miscible

Greases for long-term lubrication under critical operation conditions

Consistency of a lubricating grease

At lubricating greases the consistency is the characteristic for assessing the strength of a grease. According to DIN ISO 2137 it is measured through the penetration depth of a standardised cone.

Classification of greases to NLGI

The classification according to NLGI (DIN 51 818) ranges from very soft (Class 000) to very firm (Class 6). Standard lubricating greases usually comply with NLGI Class 2.

NLGI-class Worked penetration
[mm /10]
Gear lubrication Friction bearings Roller bearings Water pumps Block greases
000 445 – 475        
00 400 – 430        
0 355 – 385        
1 310 – 340    
2 265 – 295      
3 220 – 250      
4 175 – 205      
5 130 – 160        
6  85 – 115
Unworked penetration
         ■

Designation and classification of lubricating greases to DIN 51 502

In view of the multiple possibilities of application and different compositions, lubricating greases are classified and described according to DIN 51 502 by various aspects such as type of lubricating grease, usability, consistency classes (NLGI) and operating temperatures.

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