SECTOR FOCUS:
GREASE
HPM grease standard: Are you performance-ready? Chris Pether, Afton Chemical The National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI) GC-LB certification mark, an indicator of high quality grease for over 30 years, has been joined by the new set of High-Performance Multiuse (HPM) standards. Afton Chemical explains what this milestone means for OEMs, formulators, marketers and end users. Three decades is a long time for the wheels of progress to turn. Industrial materials and technologies have evolved considerably since 1989, when the original NLGI GC-LB mark was launched following 20 years of development. The challenges faced by OEMs and end-users mean the grease industry has had to step up,’ says Joe Kaperick, Senior Adviser Grease Technology at Afton Chemical. ‘For too long grease has been viewed as the most basic of lubricants; it’s time to acknowledge its ability to deliver real performance gains.’ Modern greases experience increasingly diverse operating conditions, often working under higher temperatures and loads. OEMs demand ever-greater protection for their machines, while operators face pressure to improve profitability by reducing their total cost of ownership – including maintenance. Premium greases can help extract maximum value from hardware by offering efficiencies with better wear protection and extended service intervals. This need to deliver on multiple fronts is what resulted
in the High-Performance Multiuse grease standard. ‘Given the variety of grease applications, this new HPM standard was no small feat,’ explains Kaperick, who, as NLGI’s president at the time, made its development and implementation a focal point. ‘The NLGI brought together industry stakeholders to define and agree the relevant performance areas in just over 12 months, which is impressively quick and shows the industry’s appetite for higher performance.’ The core HPM standard demands better performance in key tests from existing NLGI specifications. It also introduces additional tests, which better reflect the need to withstand more severe operating conditions for longer periods. Sub-categories offer enhanced performance in four key areas: water resistance, salt-water corrosion resistance, high load-carrying capacity and low temperatures. ‘Both the core HPM mark and enhanced sub-categories are purely performance-based; they do not dictate the chemistries required to achieve them,’ says Kaperick. Additive companies, formulators and OEMs may therefore use their choice of additive components or packages. ‘Having freedom in this respect is important, given a variety of starting points and different formulation routes for meeting the specifications.’ Even with this freedom, creating high-performance grease is not straightforward. Some performance additives work antagonistically, whereas others work well together or can even have a synergistic effect. Continued on page 20
18
LUBE MAGAZINE NO.162 APRIL 2021
Continued from page 18
Finding the right solution can be complex. For example, some corrosion-inhibiting chemistries disrupt extreme pressure additives, yet have synergies with additives that protect against wear. It becomes especially challenging when multiple enhancements are needed within a single grease. A deep understanding of the chemistries involved is essential.
also working towards further HPM sub-categories that offer enhanced long life and/or high temperature performance, so watch this space. OEMs, formulators, marketers and additive companies will all need to work together. to ensure their greases are performance-ready.
Kaperick believes that some certifications will be achieved by boosting existing greases with additive components, according to compatibility and synergies. Other challenges may be best solved by formulating a premium grease from scratch. It’s important to consider not only the additive interactions but also the materials and operating environments of different applications; trying to understand not just why grease behaves the way it does in tests, but how it is likely to perform in the real world. This will enable formulators to create the best possible balance of performance for each customer. Applications for HPM certification are already going through The Center for Quality Assurance (CQA), but the industry is not resting on its laurels. The NLGI is
LINK www.aftonchemical.com
sealandchem.com | ingevity.com
THE RIGHT PARTNERSHIP. THE RIGHT PRODUCTS. THE RIGHT FORMULA FOR SUCCESS. Sea-Land Chemical Europe Ltd. is an authorised distribution partner with Ingevity for high-quality speciality additives for lubricant applications. Diacid 1550™ . Altapyne® L-1 . Altapyne L-5 . Altapyne D 25-30