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