In this issue:…
4 President’s Podium
10 Engineering Considerations for Greases Used in Robotic Applications
20 NLGI Interviews Jim Hunt Global Sales and Marketing Director, Tiarco Chemical, LLC
30 NLGI Annual Meeting
September 27-30 | Tuscon, AZ USA
36 High-Performance Multiuse (HPM) Grease Column
38 Fretting Wear Retrospective
Antioxidants
VANLUBE® AZ VANLUBE EZ
VANLUBE PA VANLUBE RD
VANLUBE BHC
VANLUBE 407
VANLUBE 887 FG
VANLUBE 1202
VANLUBE 7723
FRICTION REDUCERs/EP - ANTIWEAR AGENTS
MOLYVAN® L
MOLYVAN 822
MOLYVAN 3000
VANLUBE W-324
VANLUBE 73 Super Plus
VANLUBE 829
VANLUBE 972M
VANLUBE 0902
VANLUBE 7611M
VANLUBE 9123
METAL DEACTIVATORS
CUVAN® 303
CUVAN 826
VANCHEM® NATD
VANLUBE 601E
RUST INHIBITORS
VANLUBE RI-A
VANLUBE RI-BSN
VANLUBE RI-ZSN
basestocks/basestock modifiers
TruVis™ Esters
Grease Precursor
VANCHEM® CS 400
COLOR KEY: NSF ® CERTIFIED NEW PRODUCTS
VANLUBE 81
VANLUBE 887
VANLUBE 961
VANLUBE 1802
VANLUBE 996E
MOLYVAN FEI PLUS
MOLYVAN 855
TPS® 20, 32 & 44
VANLUBE 73
VANLUBE 289
VANLUBE 871
VANLUBE 972 NT
VANLUBE 7723
VANLUBE 8610
CUVAN 313
NACAP®
VANLUBE 601
VANLUBE 704S
VANLUBE RI-G
VANLUBE RI-CSN
VANLUBE 8912E
WE HAVE OVER 50 LUBRICANT ADDITIVES AVAILABLE TO MEET YOUR SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS.
PRESIDENT:
JIM HUNT
Tiarco Chemical
1300 Tiarco Dr
Dalton, GA 30720
SECRETARY:
WAYNE MACKWOOD
Lanxess Corporation
565 Coronation Dr
West Hill, ON, M1E 2K3, Canada
PAST-PRES./ADVISORY:
JOE KAPERICK
Afton Chemical Corporation
500 Spring St Richmond, VA 23218
VICE PRESIDENT: ANOOP KUMAR
Chevron Lubricants
100 Chevron Way Room 71-7334
Richmond, CA 94801
TREASURER: TOM SCHROEDER
AXEL Americas, LLC
PO Box 12337
N Kansas City, MO 64116
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: CRYSTAL O’HALLORAN, MBA, CAE
NLGI International Headquarters 118 N Conistor Ln., Suite B-281 Liberty, MO 64068
BARBARA A. BELLANTI
Battenfeld Grease & Oil Corp of New York
PO Box 728
1174 Erie Ave
N. Tonawanda, NY 14120
BENNY CAO
The Lubrizol Corporation
29400 Lakeland Blvd
Mail Drop 051E
Wickliffe, OH 44092
CHAD CHICHESTER
Molykote Lubricants
1801 Larkin Center Drive
Midland, MI 48642
CHUCK COE
Grease Technology Solutions
35386 Greyfriar Dr Round Hill, VA 20141
MUIBAT GBADAMOSI
Calumet Branded Products, LLC
One Purple Ln Porter, TX 77365
MAUREEN HUNTER
King Industries, Inc.
1 Science Rd Norwalk, CT 06852
TYLER JARK
AOCUSA
8015 Paramount Blvd Pico Rivera, CA 90660
STACI SPRINGER
Ergon, Inc.
PO Box 1639 Jackson, MS 39215
MATTHEW MCGINNIS
Daubert Chemical Company
4700 S Central Ave Chicago, IL 60638
DWAINE G. MORRIS
Shell Lubricants 526 S Johnson Dr Odessa, MO 64076
JOHN SANDER Lubrication Engineers, Inc. PO Box 16447 Wichita, KS 67216
GEORGE SANDOR Livent Corporation 2801 Yorkmont Rd Suite 300 Charlotte, NC 28208
SIMONA SHAFTO Koehler Instrument Company, Inc. 85 Corporate Dr Holtsville, NY 11716
JEFF ST. AUBIN AXEL Royal, LLC PO Box 3308 Tulsa, OK 74101
TOM STEIB
Italmatch Chemicals 1000 Belt Line St Cleveland, OH 44109
DAVID TURNER CITGO
1293 Eldridge Pkwy Houston, TX 77077
PAT WALSH Texas Refinery Corp One Refinery Pl Ft Worth, TX 76101
RAY ZHANG
Vanderbilt Chemicals, LLC 30 Winfield St Norwalk, CT 06855
ACADEMIC & RESEARCH GRANTS:
CHAD CHICHESTER
Molykote Lubricants 1801 Larkin Center Drive Midland, MI 48642
EDUCATION:
DAVID TURNER
CITGO 1293 Eldridge Pkwy Houston, TX 77077
CHAIR: Joe Kaperick
Afton Chemical Corporation
500 Spring St. Richmond, VA
23218-2158
TECHNICAL EDITOR: Mary Moon, PhD, MBA Presque Isle Innovations LLC 47 Rickert Drive Yardley, PA 19067
Abstracts Service. Microfilm copies are available through University Microfilms, Ann Arbor, MI. The NLGI assumes no responsibility for the statements and opinions advanced by contributors to its publications. Views expressed in the editorials are those of the editors and do not necessarily represent the official position of NLGI. Copyright 2018, NLGI. Send e-mail corrections to nlgi@nlgi.org
We sincerely hope that you and your families are safe and healthy. As each day passes, it seems that our lives are returning to somewhat normal. It appears that many companies will be allowing for future travel in the near future, which is a very good sign.
As part of our ongoing commitment to inform NLGI members on the status of our six strategic priorities, I’d like to focus on “Providing Expanded Educational Opportunities” in this issue of the NLGI Spokesman. The education committee has been working hard over the past year to review and streamline all valued educational courses. For those who might not be familiar, NLGI offers three, prestigious education courses including:
Basic Lubricating Grease Course - With more than a 1200 alumni, NLGI’s Basic Lubricating Grease Course is the world’s foremost foundational training class for the global grease industry. This course provides an excellent overview of the types of greases, thickeners, base oils and additives. The methods of manufacturing, testing methodology and their use in bearings and in industrial and automotive applications are also covered. This course will be offered during this year’s Annual Meeting in Tucson, AZ.
Advanced Lubricating Grease Course - This course provides advanced instruction regarding specific types of greases, grease chemistry and specialized applications. There is an increased focus on high-value specialty greases and their manufacture and use. This course will be offered during this year’s Annual Meeting in Tucson, AZ.
Hands-On Training Course - This course provides an excellent overview of the types of greases, thickeners, base oils and additives as well as a hands on approach to the methods of manufacturing, testing methodology and their use in bearings and in industrial and automotive applications. Since NLGI moved its Annual Meeting to September, we will not hold the Hands-On Training Grease Course in Fall 2021. NLGI plans to reschedule the Hands-On Training Course in Fall 2022.
We will also offer NLGI’s esteemed Certified Lubricating Grease Specialist (CLGS) exam during the NLGI Annual Meeting. As you may be aware, CLGS is a standard that certifies that an individual possesses a defined level of expertise in the field of lubricating grease. Certification indicates that NLGI recognizes the individual as a grease expert. Certification is awarded after an individual passes a two-hour exam that consists of 120 questions about lubrication fundamentals and grease types, selection, manufacturing, applications, maintenance, testing, etc. This exam is only offered in-person during the NLGI Annual Meeting. If you have any questions about NLGI educational opportunities, please visit https://www.nlgi.org/ education/ or contact NLGI HQ at 816-524-2500 or nlgi@nlgi.org for more information.
Once again, the NLGI is tremendously grateful for your continued support, loyalty, and commitment. We would also want to continue to encourage membership engagement. If you are interested in volunteering for a NLGI committee or you are interested in becoming a future NLGI member, please contact Crystal or Denise at nlgi@nlgi.org or 816-524-2500.
Stay safe and healthy,
Jim Hunt President, 2020 – 2022
Please contact Denise if there are meetings/conventions you’d like to add to our Industry Calendar, denise@nlgi.org (Your company does not have to be an NLGI membeer to post calendar items.)
F&L Asia, page 9
INVISTA, page 27
The Lubrizol Corporation, page 7
MidContinental Chemical Company, Inc. page 5
Patterson Industries Canada - A Division of ALL-WELD COMPANY LIMITED, page 22
ProSys Servo Filling Systems, page 21
Savant Labs, page 25
Vanderbilt Chemicals, LLC, Inside Front Cover Zschimmer & Schwarz Inc., page 23
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Multi-axis robotics are a relatively new application in the world of manufacturing assembly lines. Often when a piece of equipment is brought on line, its lubrication requirements are not readily understood until failure occurs and reliability data are established. Guess work combined with fundamental concepts are used until the overall reliability entitlement and product performance criteria are established. This paper describes the logic of how a grease is selected and then maintained to meet the challenges of robotic applications. The information in this paper will help end users select and maintain lubricants for their robotic devices and avoid failure.
The use of robotics and automation continues to grow more prevalent across industries, particularly in manufacturing, as companies are realizing the full potential of its ability to reduce costs, boost production, and deliver greater efficiency and competitiveness. Typical industrial robotic applications include welding, painting, assembly, product inspection, and testing. As the technology has progressed, automation has demonstrated exponential improvements in endurance, speed, and precision, and more sensitive applications in medical and other high-tech sectors are becoming common. With highly choreographed, programmed movement on two or more axes, bearings play a major role in the motion control aspect of this technology. The use of high-precision bearings is an integral consideration for those tasked with designing and maintaining these applications. Bearing life and performance demand that the correct type, material, and lubrication are specified. The advantages of robots are precision, speed, and strength. These demands challenge the bearings and, ultimately, their lubricants.
Industrial robots provide precise motion in multiple dimensions, from single axis to multi-axis applications. The arm connections of a robot determine the number of axes. For example, an arm with a 2-axis configuration travels in an x-y plane in a Cartesian coordinate system (Fig. 1). The device on the end of a robot’s arm, sometimes referred to as an ‘end effector’, performs work. Robots with 2-D configurations are commonly used with end effectors that pick and place parts, dispense a fluid such as ink or adhesive, insert screws or rivets, and perform inspections. Devices that insert screws or rivets or perform inspections can be fitted to robot arms with 2-axis configurations. Often, the arms are controlled by motor-driven rack-and-pinion gears, chains and sprockets, or guide wheels with wires or bands. There have been advances in hydraulic and pneumatic applications for 2-axis configurations.
Robotic arms with 3-axis configurations (Fig. 2) are utilized in applications that require fast and intricate movements. An arm with a 3+axis configuration (Fig. 3) can work in 3 dimensions. In multi-
axis units (Fig. 4), the arm can displace the end effector tool through a wide range of motion These robots vary in size from fitting on a desktop to standing many meters tall. They are tasked with various aspects of assembly as well as inspection. Each axis requires a bearing (Fig. 4), and the strain on the bearings can be significant. There is little tolerance for error. Often, if the arm alignment is off by a few hundred microns, then the assembly will suffer and the part may be scrapped. Bearings play a significant role in the precision of these robots, and the lubricant has a direct influence on bearing performance and failure.
The advancements in electric motors, actuators, and sensor technology have increased the number of applications of robots. The bearings are responsible for moving the arms in a precise fashion. Bearings are typically made of chromium steel or ceramics. Roller and ball bearings as well as thrust bearings are all found in robotics applications. Thin section bearings are highly popular
Thin section bearings deliver higher speeds, improved efficiency, and higher levels of design flexibility. Reduced weight is achieved by the small difference in size between the internal and external rings. While the thin section configuration offers advantages, the increased flexibility makes the bearing susceptible to dimensional changes that could impact lubricant film formation. Material selection and attention to manufacturing are essential in bearing production. If the rings are not perfectly formed, even a minute discrepancy will prevent the bearing from turning smoothly, which will increase friction, wear, and vibration. These bearings can be open, shielded, or sealed in SAE 52100 chrome steel or grade 440 stainless steel. They are designed to withstand some radial loads as well as moderate thrust loads in both directions. Some of the smaller thin section bearings are also available with a fiberglass-reinforced nylon high-speed synthetic retainer.
Single-row deep groove ball bearings, with sizes ranging from miniature to extra-large, are used for most applications. Thin section bearings are often designed into robotic arm joints due to their low mass, space-saving construction, and high-speed capability. Roller bearings are usually the first choice for heavy-duty requirements. Slewing rings are a common selection for the main rotation and associated lift equipment. Hybrid (ceramic balls with stainless steel rings) and full-ceramic bearings can be alternatives for operations in harsh environments. Depending upon the operating environment, the load, and speed can influence the selection of the bearing alloy. For example, 440C stainless steel alloy can be used in harsh or corrosive environments as well as medical, food, or chemical processing applications.
The lubricant can affect the performance, energy efficiency, wear, and service life of a bearing. It is important to choose an appropriate lubricant for each bearing in every application. Lubricant selection depends on the bearing type and size, operating speed, environmental conditions, and other factors. Many bearing manufacturers, lubricant suppliers, and organizations provide guidance for bearing lubrication (see References).
The grease of choice for robot joints is typically a low-flow NLGI 0 or NLGI 00 grease. An NLGI 2 grease may be too stiff for low-torque or fast-moving bearings. The base oil viscosity range is dependent on the equipment design and operating parameters. Mineral or semi-synthetic base oils with viscosity ranging from 40 to 175 cSt are typically used in these greases. But the optimal operational viscosity should be determined first. This requires the determination of the bearing speed factor, ndm . The bearing speed factor is the product of the rotational speed, n, and the pitch diameter, dm. The bearing speed factor can be calculated as shown in Equation 1.
where
n = shaft speed (rpm)
ID = bore diameter (mm)
OD = outside diameter (mm)
The value of nd m can also help engineers decide whether to lubricate a bearings with oil or grease, Table 1.
Table 1 is based upon material that was published in Lubrication Fundamentals by D. M. Pirro and A. A. Wessol, 2nd Edition, Marcel Decker, Inc. (New York, NY), 2001, page 197, Copyright © 2001 by Exxon Mobil Corporation
Film formation by the base oil is strongly dependent on the molecular structure of the oil, including molecular shape and flexibility. These characteristics also influence the ability of the film to undergo shearing at high applied pressures. Shearing and reduction of friction are favored by the alignment of linear and flexible molecules.
The grease thickener properties have a significant influence on flow. Certain types of thickeners adhere on the race and rolling element surface and form a thin residual layer of thickener particles while other studies suggest that during the lubrication process, grease is mechanically degraded and transforms into a Newtonian suspension of thickener particles in oil, with a higher viscosity than that of the base oil. The thickener chemistry, the concentration, and the thickener particle morphology have a strong influence on film formation, and they consequently affect friction by determining the lubrication regime. A grease with a service temperature from -40 to 150 °C would be most suitable as this range reflects the variety of applications in which a robot is most likely to be used, from refrigeration to locations near a furnace. It may also be necessary to select a food grade grease if the robot is going to be used in food or beverage production or packaging. The right grease choice will result in a bearing that spins freely, which will reduce the power consumption of the machine as well as its long-term maintenance costs.
Various standardized tests have been developed to determine and verify the performance characteristics of lubricants. A short list of the ASTM tests for characterizing grease is presented in Table 2. When selecting a grease for a specific application, the overall set of properties of the grease should be considered. Table 2 describes each test method and how to interpret the test results. It is essential that the end user evaluate the data prior to using a grease in a given application. The grease supplier will typically provide the customer with the test results for their product.
It must be understood that these grease tests only provide a roadmap for choosing a product. Selection of the optimal grease for an application can be carried out through a field study. Choosing the best grease from a field trial can be difficult. It is helpful to develop a spreadsheet for comparing the evaluated greases. Table 3 is an example of such a comparison. There is a challenge in trying to understand which test or tests best mimic the environment that the grease will be subjected to. In order to make an accurate and informed decision on grease selection for any given application, a few tests stand out as good barometers of performance.
A screening test has recently been developed for targeted in-service robot grease analysis. A grease sampling device, the Grease Thief®, can be used to collect a sample and quantify the ferrous debris content (wear particles) and the optical characteristics (color) of the grease.
As a robot first begins to experience the effects of aging and hard use, its joints become ‘arthritic’. Yes, even an aging robotic workforce begins to show the signs of tiny wear particles of bearing and gear material. With these screening tests, a large fleet of robots and their joints can be assessed, and those at greater risk for breakdown or malfunction can be identified.
Another test, grease colorimetry, monitors the health of the grease as it ages and assesses the need for replacement and replenishment. The measurement of optical properties also allows the early detection of mixing of greases, e.g., due to the use of an incorrect product, and the degradation of seals, motors, and other components within the gearbox housing.
Together, these tests allow operators to care for their fleet of robotic workers and find those in need of proactive care before they (the robots) decide on their own to take a break at the most inopportune time.
Costs of operating and maintaining such advanced robots are not trivial. The grease alone can cost hundreds of dollars for a single robot replenishment. The downtime to perform the flushing, purging and restoration of the robot can be a significant drain on manpower and uptime. A typical grease change-out consists of the following steps:
• Lock-out/tag-out the robot
• Pump an entire container of grease to flush the housing
• Operate the robot with the plugs removed to purge excess grease
• Clean purged grease from the outside of the robot, the floor, and the surrounding equipment
• Replace the drain plugs
• Reprogram, test, and return the robot to service
This entire operation can take over an hour, which means potential downtime and significant maintenance resources.
In contrast, with a Grease Thief® or a syringe, the steps are:
• Tag-out the robot
• Remove a drain or access fitting
• Use the Greases Thief or syringe to extract a sample
• Replace the fitting.
The robot is restored to service in minutes, and the sample can be locally screened or sent to a lab for analysis.
In the past, ferrous debris monitoring was used to quantify the ferrous content of used grease samples. This provided an understanding of wear debris and was used as a primary indicator of wear levels. Ferrous debris instruments use an electromagnetic coil to measure iron content. A sensor detects the ferrous debris distributed throughout the entire sample as it is dropped into the instrument. This helps avoid inaccurate results due to making aliquots from the sample and instrumental particle size limitations, which are the two major issues that can arise when using other methods to track wear levels. Results are reported in parts per million (ppm).
A significant challenge with induction coil-type analyzers is the ability to present quantitative results that are independent of particle heterogeneity. This requires that the design allows the entire sample to be evaluated by means to an internal sample chamber inside the coil that measures energy across the sample. Devices that meet this requirement typically use a pair of precision round coils that generate magnetic fields. When a small amount of grease is inserted into one of the coils, ferromagnetic particles interact with the magnetic field and induce current frequency changes in the coils. The amount of change is proportional to the amount of ferrous particles, calibrated by weight in parts per million (ppm) with reference to an equivalent calibrated amount of iron. The sample vial is designed to optimize the position of the grease sample in the measurement coil. Before the measurement, the coils are automatically balanced electrically, removing the impact of temperature variation on the measurement. The result is a repeatable and stable measurement regardless of the operator and the environmental temperature, which is critical for a large service team doing on-site oil and grease analysis in the field.
Analytical Ferrography provides the most detailed analysis by microscopic examination of wear and particulate material in a sample. The method can detect the following:
• Particle size and relative concentration
• Metallurgy - ferrous and nonferrous
• Component source of wear
• Wear mechanism (morphology)
• Contaminant identification
Analytical ferrography is used extensively to predict failure modes and to justify equipment shutdown. A skilled analyst examines a prepared ferrogram slide with a computer-aided microscopic to identify the composition of the material present in a sample of used lubricant. Wear material and other debris suspended in a lubricant is deposited and separated onto a ferrogram slide for microscopic examination. Magnetic separation of wear material from the sample attracts ferrous particles out of the sample and onto the ferrogram slide. Although this method is most effective for ferrous material, it can capture and identify nonferrous wear particles and contaminants.
Die extrusion testing measures the consistency of a grease sample. This method can be used to compare consistency of a used sample to its baseline (unused grease) and generate a dimensionless index describing how the consistency of the grease has changed. Grease is extruded at various shear rates through a small die using the analyzer. As the grease is extruded, a force probe measures the force required to extrude the grease through the small die channel. Extrusion occurs at three speeds in order to create a consistency profile. This method allows grease consistency to be measured with only a gram of grease, significantly reducing the necessary sample volume for useful consistency testing.
Grease colorimetry testing is used to validate changes in the observed appearance of greases related to darkening due to aging or overheating, color variations due to mixing products, and contaminants such as debris or other solids accumulating in the grease. A thin film of grease is loaded into an enclosed chamber and exposed to visible light (400-700 nm). The relative intensity of the light absorbed across the spectrum is measured, and source and spectral graphs are generated. This visible spectrum is characteristic of grease color and can be used to indicate grease color changes that are not quantifiable by the human eye.
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is used to determine the chemical properties of organic compounds including greases. Oxidation products can be detected using this spectroscopic technique. Contamination, including mixing with incompatible greases, can be detected using this method. A small quantity of grease is subjected to infrared energy. Specific wavelengths of infrared energy excite the chemical bonds that make up the grease and generate a unique spectral fingerprint. This fingerprint can be compared to baseline data to determine chemical changes in grease composition, such as oxidation.
Several basic tests and advanced methods are used to evaluate the properties of in-service grease and determine the performance level of various greases. Care should be taken when selecting greases for robotics applications. Field data comparisons of various products can be quite valuable in such determinations.
Most robot operating manuals dictate that grease must be flushed and replaced annually or more often, but this may not always be necessary. It is important to give consideration to the operating
cycles, local temperatures (some robots are near furnaces, others in air-conditioned spaces), load, moment arm and acceleration (can cause wildly varying stresses on the gears and grease), and the ambient environment (dust, paint, chemicals, etc.) If Preventive Maintenance (PM) task frequency does not reflect changing variables, then it will inevitably be either overly conservative or ineffective. By adopting a Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) approach using grease sampling and analysis, the maintenance intervals can be optimized, and the maintenance resources for reliable robot operation can be used efficiently.
References
American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA), Alexandria, VA, https://www.americanbearings.org/
American Roller Bearing Company, Bearing Lubrication, https://www.amroll.com/bearing-lubrication.html
American Roller Bearing Company, Bearing Selection, Load and Life, https://www.amroll.com/bearing-selectionload-life.html
American Roller Bearing Company, Speed Limits, https://www.amroll.com/speed-limits.html
2002 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Section 5, Petroleum Products, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, https://www.astm.org/
Booser, E.R., Editor. Handbook of Lubrication. CRC Press, Inc. Vol 1,2, 1984.
Cash, Wes, Noria Corporation, How Rolling-Element Bearings Work, https://www.kaydonbearings.com/white_ papers_8.htm
Emerson Bearings, Bearing Solutions for Your Robotics and Automation Applications, https://info.emersonbearing. com/lp-bearing-solutions-robotics-automation-applications?_ga=2.32114940.378166427.1615476366604188001.1615476366
Gunther, Raymond C., Lubrication, Chilton Book Company, New York, 1971.
Grease Making Chemistry, Advanced Course Lubricating Grease Education Program, National Lubricating Grease Institute, A.P. (Tony) Wenzler, 1999.
Holloway, Michael D. and Martinis, Max, A Primer on Greases Testing for Performance and Condition Monitoring, The NLGI Spokesman, Sept-Oct 2020, Volume 84, Number 4, pages 26 -39.
Kowalik, G., Janosky, R., Advancements in Grease Sampling and Analysis Using Simple Screening Techniques, MRG Navigator, 2016.
Lubricating Grease Guide, National Lubricating Grease Institute, Fourth Edition, Kansas City, Missouri, USA, 1996. NLGI, NLGI Lubricating Grease Guide, Kansas City, MO
Pirro, D. M. and A. A. Wessol, Lubrication Fundamentals, 2nd Edition, Marcel Decker, Inc. (New York, NY), 2001.
SKF, Bearing Selection for Low-Speed Applications, https://www.kaydonbearings.com/white_papers_8.htm
SKF, SKF Maintenance and Lubrication Products – Extending the Bearing Life Cycle, https://www.skf.com/binaries/ pub12/Images/0901d196800637eb-03000EN_tcm_12-163650.pdf#cid-163650
SKF, Selecting a Suitable Grease, https://www.skf.com/us/products/super-precision-bearings/principles/bearingselection-process/lubrication/suitable-grease
Wurzbach, Richard, In-Service Grease Testing Techniques That Can Save Money and Time For Grease Manufacturers, The NLGI Spokesman, Nov-Dec 2018, Volume 82, Number 5, page 6 .
Wurzbach, R., Williams, L., Doherty, W., Methods for Trending Wear Levels in Grease Lubricated Equipment, Society of Tribologists and lubrication Engineers (STLE) Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, USA, May 2010.
Reliable Plant is back in October 2021 with more unique opportunities to learn from world-class reliability leaders, lubrication experts and many other subject matter experts in the industry.
For more than 20 years, the Reliable Plant Conference & Exhibition has been the only place where the optimal mix of technical excellence, cutting-edge technologies and proven solutions for the maintenance and reliability industry come together to share insights.
The true value of Reliable Plant is not only the world class learning, it’s the conversations that happen after class, around the lunch table or in the exhibit hall that can create that “light bulb moment.” When a mix of everyone from operators to upper-management attends Reliable Plant, new possibilities open up for reliability and maintenance teams. Ready for a more reliable plant? Join the reliability leaders gathering in Louisville, Kentucky on October 19 – 21 at Reliable Plant 2021.
Spanning four days, Reliable Plant 2021 includes workshops, learning sessions and case studies designed to upgrade the skills and knowledge of attendees. The conference will also feature approximately 130 exhibitors in a more than 200,000-square-foot exhibit hall inside the Kentucky International Convention Center.
For more information visit Conference.ReliablePlant.com.
largest independent telephone company in the United States. In 1990, Bell Atlantic acquired GTE and renamed it Verizon Communications. Each time a new central office was completed, we would usually move to another location.
NLGI: How did you become interested in business?
In August 2020, Jim Hunt accepted the gavel from Joe Kaperick and started his twoyear term as President of the NLGI. Jim has served on NLGI’s Executive Committee, chaired the Membership Committee, and been an active member of the Board for several years. Jim shared some words of wisdom about sales and management, his devotion to the NLGI, and one slightly pampered Yorkshire Terrier named Koko. To learn more about who drives the golf cart in the Jim’s household, read on!
NLGI: Please tell us a little bit about where you grew up and your education.
JH: My childhood was almost nomadic by nature. My Mom remarried when I was seven years old. My Stepfather was responsible for setting up central offices for GTE Corporation. GTE had been General Telephone & Electronics Corporation and the
For example, my family and I spent two years (1975-77) in Tehran, Iran. This experience was truly the turning point in my childhood. I learned to appreciate all the freedoms and many other benefits we take for granted living in this amazing country of ours.
My Brother and Stepfather were professionals in the telecommunications industry. Fibre optics was the next wave of communications, and I was very interested in being involved in this cutting-edge technology. So I enrolled at Tampa Technical Institute (Tampa, Florida), received my degree in Applied Computer Science, and planned to specialize in fibre optics R&D. Instead, I became a general manager (GM) for a specialty coatings manufacturing company in Tampa, Florida and managed over 30 people while I was still in my early twenties. I loved leading and managing a team, and I chose a different destiny and career path.
JH: I have always had a passion for business, starting at the age of nine when I had a newspaper route. What an experience! I learned about every aspect of the business, from receiving a product, converting the product (folding each newspaper), delivering the product, collecting receivables, and taking care of the accounts payable. I enjoyed the entire program, except collecting payments from my customers.
When I was 21, I started working in the chemical industry. My first job in the chemicals industry was working for a paint and coatings company in Tampa. My sales career began thirty years when I became an account manager for a chemical distributor in the south-eastern United States.
NLGI: What led you to join Tiarco Chemical?
JH: I joined Tiarco Chemical to explore opportunities that I might never experience working at a larger corporation, and I wanted the opportunity to make a positive impact on our business and our employees. I was fortunate to
come on board at time when the business was in its early infancy. In fact, when I joined Tiarco, the Company was not directly involved in the grease and lubricant market.
NLGI: Please give us some background about Tiarco Chemical .
JH: Tiarco Chemical is specialty global chemical manufacture that believes in providing the highest level of service and value to our customers. We are truly a partnership-oriented organization. Our customers are not just customers; most of them are close friends.
NLGI: How has your career developed at Tiarco Chemical ?
JH: As part of the senior management team, I strive to be a leader not only for my commercial team, but for all Tiarco employees. I also pride myself on being a visionary for our Company. This passion, desire and vision guided and influenced Tiarco’s decision to enter the global grease and lubricant market.
NLGI: What were some of the challenges you faced during your career? How did you deal with these challenges?
JH: I wake up every morning contemplating how to implement continuous improvement for myself,
my team and Tiarco. I am a solution-driven person. I seek out challenges and try to tackle them head on. I know that taking on challenges will ultimately make us stronger over the long term. I also believe in trusting my intuition and my ability to foresee
potential future opportunities and issues.
NLGI: Have mentors or colleagues or training or specific books influenced or contributed to your professional development?
JH: I have had many great mentors. Most of my professional development has been driven by my own ambition and desire to strive to be the best I can be.
NLGI: What are your thoughts about working and doing business in US and Europe?
JH: Working and doing business are very similar in the US and Europe, yet also very different. Regardless of the potential cultural or regulatory
differences between the US and Europe, at the end of the day, defining the customers’ requirements and working to exceed expectations is universal to all regions. Over the years, I have learned that there are many common themes in all global regions. People do business with people that are committed to being trustworthy, remaining competitive, servicing them consistently and treating them with the highest level of respect.
NLGI: What are some of your particular experiences or learnings through working in Sales?
JH: I remember one of our very first meetings with customers at an NLGI Meeting. One comment continues to resonate with me, “Who are you guys?” This question motivated us even more to work harder to ensure that we made our mark as a valued supplier to the grease and lubricant market industry. As people say about humble beginnings, “Always remember to stay persistent, stay committed, remain hungry and humble, and be smart.”
NLGI: Do you have any advice or suggestions for developing a successful career in Sales?
JH: Always keep your word and look hard for the very best in everyone. It may be challenging at times, but it is well worth the effort. Wake up motivated. Laugh and smile as much and as often as possible. It truly is contagious. Love what you do. Sales does not have to be solely professional. Make it personal and cherish those personal relationships you make along the journey.
NLGI: Do you have any suggestions for developing and maintaining good relationships with customers?
JH: Always treat your customers better than you would expect to be treated. Go the extra mile because you want to, not because you have to. Treat them as your best friend or better yet, a close family member.
NLGI: How do you respond when a customer complains, cancels an order, or takes their business to a competitor
JH: Tiarco and I take it very personally. We must
consider this as a learning opportunity to ensure that as an organization, we are doing everything possible to earn our customers’ business. We prefer to know when we have not honored our commitment to provide the necessary value
that our customers deserve versus not hearing from them at all and wondering why they are no longer our customer. If we don’t earn our customers’ business every day, we truly don’t deserve their business.
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“Always remember to stay persistent, stay committed, remain hungry and humble, and be smart.”
“Always treat your customers better than you would expect to be treated. Go the extra mile because you want to, not because you have to. Treat them as your best friend or better yet, a close family.”
NLGI: How would you describe your management style?
JH: Demanding but extremely reasonable. My leadership philosophy is relational, solutions oriented, and based on humor.
NLGI: Are there any particular business leaders who are your role models or have influenced you?
JH: There have been many business leaders that are outstanding role models for me including many at Tiarco. Some of the best business leaders I know are current and/or former members of the NLGI Board of Directors. I have been blessed to have been associated with some of the most intelligent and passionate people who truly care about NLGI and give their all to make it better for all of us in the future.
NLGI: Do you have any advice or suggestions for developing a successful career in Management?
JH: Strive to be a great leader and always lead by example. Balance and communicate the company goals and objectives while ensuring that you are always implementing a continuous improvement process to make your people and your organization strive to be the very best.
NLGI: Did particular people influence your career? Your philosophy of business?
JH: My first sales manager, Jim Higgins, my Sales Manager at Cytec, was a great influence in my sales career. He taught me to create and communicate the value proposition on every sale. My business philosophy is simple. Work diligently to always do business the right way.
NLGI: What particular challenges have you faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and how have you addressed them?
JH: Tiarco’s passion, and one of our keys to our overall success, has been the amazing relationships we have established with our customers and in many cases, their families. This COVID-19 pandemic has been a personal and professional challenge because it has kept us from spending time with our customers.
“My business philosophy is simple. Always strive and commit to do business the right way all the time.”
NLGI: What do you think about the position and future of the global lubricating grease industry?
JH: The global lubricating and grease market will always be evolving. With the global community focused on
environmentally sustainable products, the industry is now experiencing a resurgence to increase research and develop the next generation of grease and lubricant products to meet the demands of the future.
NLGI: Which new or future applications (e.g., EVs or electric vehicles) show particular promise for affecting the grease industry?
JH: Electric vehicles will continue to have a positive impact on the global grease industry, and products will be designed for that application in the future. Currently, there are very few viable grease options for this application. I feel that there will be tremendous effort made to ensure that there will be many improved grease options for EVs in the future as the demand for EV performance increases.
NLGI: What are your thoughts about the future of the grease industry around the world?
JH: The future of the grease industry should always remain robust and healthy. Although demand may shift, depending on the application requirements, there will always be a strong global demand for high-performance sustainable greases.
NLGI: When and how did you become active in NLGI?
JH: I went to my first NLGI meeting was the 72nd Annual Meeting at the La Cantera Resort and Spa, San Antonio, Texas in 2005. It was the most amazing meeting I had ever attended in my entire sales career. The following year, Tiarco became a dedicated and loyal NLGI member
NLGI: Why do you attend NLGI Meetings?
JH: I truly appreciate all the value that NLGI Meetings provide to our loyal members, from the incredible educational opportunities, to the networking and familyoriented events. My team and I continue to attend NLGI Meetings every year because they have been and continue to be the most valuable conference on our calendar. This is a strong statement considering how many amazing global grease and lubricant meetings we attend each year!
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We can help you with your precertification testing to meet the new High-Performance Multiuse (HPM) Grease Specification. We can customize test packages including SRV ® wear testing and more.
NLGI: What is your favorite thing about attending NLGI Meetings?
JH: My favorite thing about attending the NLGI is the networking (aka the “family reunion”). NLGI is like a closeknit family. It is truly a blessing to be reunited with all the global members and attendees at the NLGI meetings. It is indeed a special meeting.
NLGI: How have you benefitted by attending NLGI Meetings?
JH: The benefits I receive and continue to receive from the NLGI Meetings are too many to list. I have benefited mostly from the amazing personal relationships I have developed at the NLGI meetings.
NLGI: What roles have you held in NLGI?
JH: From the very moment I joined the NLGI BOD, I wanted to offer my time and skills to provide value. My personal experience and testimonials with NLGI made me natural advocate and spokesman for the NLGI Membership and Sponsorship Committees. Then, I was honored to be elected to chair both Committees. I volunteered as Committee Chair for many years, and we experienced significant growth during that time. Membership and Sponsorship are still my passions.
NLGI: What was your path to become President of NLGI?
JH: My path to become NLGI President began with the same desire I had to initially join the NLGI BOD: I truly want to give back to this amazing organization. I have respected and admired all the previous NLGI Presidents and how they continued to take the NLGI to the next level. I truly want to follow in their footsteps and leave a positive impact on the NLGI and our global members. I never dreamed that I would become the NLGI President, which is the highlight of my professional career. I feel very blessed.
NLGI: What are some learnings or other benefits of being involved on the Board of NLGI?
JH: Everyone that joins the NLGI BOD brings their own
unique skills and strengths to bear to ensure that the NLGI remains successful. Under the leadership of Crystal O’Halloran, Executive Director, the NLGI is accomplishing many of our strategic priorities.
NLGI: As President of NLGI, what do you see as strengths of NLGI? What are some areas where NLGI needs to move forward? What is your view on the future of NLGI?
JH: The NLGI’s key strength is our valued and loyal members. The NLGI BOD and many NLGI members volunteer their time to ensure that the NLGI remains healthy and successful. As the global grease industry continues to evolve, the NLGI will also evolve to ensure that we continue to the meet the grease lubrication challenges of the future.
NLGI: How does NLGI contribute to the grease industry?
JH: This question could consume most of this interview! The NLGI is known as the goto organization for grease knowledge. The NLGI provides value through educational opportunities, unbelievable networking and globally recognized grease certification marks.
NLGI: What are some future plans of NLGI?
JH: NLGI will continue to focus on our six strategic initiatives: membership, education, governance, communication, certifications and networking. We will continue to improve and expand our offerings to all members across the globe. Stay tuned for more news!
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Jim’s family
NLGI: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
JH: Just a little? I have been blessed to have been married to my soul mate, Cyndi, for the last 4 years. How do I know I am blessed? I am fortunate to wake up next to the most amazing woman I have ever known. We have a mini Brady Bunch family. My daughter, Rebekah and my son, James, still live in Georgia. I miss them every day. Cyndi’s twin sons, Kory and Nick, live in Miami, and they are very close to us. Let’s not forget
Koko, the Yorkie. She is truly the spoiled one in our family!
NLGI: What kinds of activities do you and your family enjoy?
JH: My kids and I Iove to snow ski. Last year, Cyndi and I took Nick, Kory and their girlfriends to ski at Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area (Gatlinburg, Tennessee). Cyndi and I love to travel. We have very close friends all over the world, and we enjoy visiting them and traveling to new places. Oh yeah, Cyndi’s favorite activities are shopping and working out. She loves shoes, dresses, and open houses. Did I mention shoes and dresses?
this amazing little paradise close to Clearwater, Florida where people still love to be friendly to each other. It’s a very dog friendly community as well. Koko goes crazy in the evening, and she begs us to take her out in our golf cart to see the sunset. It’s true….
NLGI: If NLGI members travel to Georgia, do you recommend special places to visit or things to do?
JH:Georgia has a lot of great places to visit. Some of the most popular attractions are visiting the World of CocaCola Museum and the Georgia Aquarium, both in Atlanta, and hiking in the Kennesaw Mountains between Marietta and Kennesaw.
NLGI: Do you have favorite books or movies?
JH: That is very easy. My Mom, my Grandfather and My Grandmother. I lost my Mom a few years ago to cancer, and I miss her every day. My Grandparents raised me and my brothers at one of the most important times in my childhood and they passed away when I was a young. They were two of the most loving and caring people I have ever known. Our menu would be sausage, Carolina barbecue, butter beans and peas, cornbread with cheese and of course, banana pudding. My kids love this menu to this day.
NLGI: When you are not working, where is your favorite place to travel?
JH: We have a townhome in Dunedin, Florida, and that is our little escape from the craziness of Miami. We found
JH: I am a movie kind of guy, especially comedies. I love to laugh and make people laugh. Laughter is great medicine. I like Caddyshack (1980) and Tommy Boy (1995), the ultimate salesman movie, and I am a big Saturday Night Live (SNL) fan. It’s a ritual for my kids and me to watch our favorite SNL skits starring Will Ferrell and Chris Farley.
NLGI: If you could have dinner with any three people, living or deceased, who would they be and why? And what might be on the menu?
This interview series, started in 2019 by Dr. Moon and Dr. Shah, gives NLGI members a bit of insight into the professional and personal lives of their colleagues, developments in the grease industry, and the role of NLGI
worldwide. If you would like to suggest the name of a colleague for an interview (or volunteer to be considered as a candidate), please kindly email Mary at mmmoon@ix.netcom.com or Raj at rshah@koehlerinstrument. com.
Dr. Mary Moon is Technical Editor of The NLGI Spokesman. She writes scientific and marketing features published in Lubes’n’Greases and Tribology & Lubrication Technology magazines, book chapters, specifications, and other literature. Her experience in the lubricant and specialty
chemicals industries includes R&D, project management, and applications of tribology and electrochemistry. She served as Section Chair of the Philadelphia Section of STLE.
Dr. Raj Shah is currently a Director at Koehler Instrument Company and was an NLGI board member from 2000 to 2017. A Ph.D in Chemical Engineering from Penn State University and a Fellow from the Chartered Management Institute, London, Dr. Shah is a recipient of the Bellanti Sr. memorial award from NLGI. He is an elected fellow of NLGI,
IChemE, STLE, INSTMC, AIC, JHI, Energy Institute and the Royal Society of Chemistry. A Chartered Petroleum Engineer from EI and a Chartered Chemical Engineer from IChemE, he is currently active on the board of STLE and on the advisory boards of the Engineering Departments at SUNY Stony Brook, Hofstra University, Auburn University and Pennsylvania State University. More information on Raj can be found at https:// www.astm.org/DIGITAL_
LIBRARY/MNL/SOURCE_ PAGES/MNL37-2ND_foreword. pdf
Grease Lubrication of New Materials for Bearing in EV Motors
2019 - University of California – Merced
Strategies for Optimizing Greases to Mitigate Fretting Wear 2018 - The University of Akron
Determination of Grease Life in Bearings via Entropy 2017 - Louisiana State University
Summary & Full Reports Available
Available to Members Only
September 27-30 | Tuscon, AZ USA
* Optional event, Fee-based, Registration required
https://www.nlgi.org/annual-meeting/2021-annual-meeting/schedule-program/
Selda Gunsel
Presentation Topics Include:
• Trends in the industry
Wednesday, September 29
8:45 AM - 10:00 AM
• Case for a sustainable future for the world and the industry
• Shell’s sustainability objectives
• Role of technology and innovation on this journey
• What high-performance greases can do now and into the future
Selda Gunsel is the Vice President of Global Commercial and Fuels Technology within Shell’s Projects & Technology organisation with responsibility for leading a global group of scientists and engineers in the delivery of innovation, R&D and technical services to Shell Lubricants, Retail and B2B businesses including Marine, Aviation, and Specialties. Selda is based in Houston, USA.
Selda was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in the USA in 2017 in recognition of her distinguished contributions to engineering, “for leadership in developing and manufacturing advanced fuels and lubricants to meet growing global energy demand while reducing CO2 emissions”. Election to the National Academy of Engineering is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer.
In 2015, Selda was awarded the STLE International Award – the highest technical honor awarded by the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers. Throughout her career, Selda has received numerous other awards including STLE Fellow for outstanding personal achievement in lubrication science, R&D 100 Innovation Award, SAE International Excellence in Presentation Award, STLE Captain Alfred E. Hunt Best Paper Award, Penn State Outstanding Engineering Alumna Award and internal awards for both Innovation and Leadership in Diversity and Inclusiveness.
In January 2013, Selda was appointed as an Honorary Professor at Beijing’s Tsinghua University with whom Shell enjoys a partnership to deepen the understanding of lubricants. This coincided with Selda being based in Shanghai from 2012-2014 to oversee the development and launch of a new Shell Lubricants Technical Centre to serve the Asian market.
Before joining Shell in 2002, Selda was the Vice President of Technology Development and Innovations at Pennzoil-Quaker State Company. Subsequently, Selda’s roles in Shell have included Vice President of Fuels and Engine Vehicle Technology; General Manager of Global Products & Quality; General Manager of Lubricants Technology Americas; and General Manager of Global Lubricants Strategic R&D.
Selda received her BSc in Chemical Engineering from the Istanbul Technical University in Turkey and her MSc and PhD also in Chemical Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University, USA. While working in the industry, Selda has held sabbatical assignments at Imperial College, London in the UK.
Selda has published extensively in the field of lubrication science, received patents and is well known in the industry. She has served as the President of the STLE and the Chairman of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Lubricants Research Award Board. She is a member of the Industrial Advisory Board of Penn State University and has served on the Editorial Boards of the Journal of Lubrication Science, UK, and Tribology Transactions, USA. She has chaired and delivered keynote addresses at many international conferences.
For more information visit: https://www.nlgi.org/annual-meeting/2021-annual-meeting/industry-speaker/
WEDNESDAY, SEPT 29
SESSION 1 - 10:30 AM - 11:55 AM 10:30 AM-11:10 AM 2117 2020 Grease Production Survey
11:15 AM-11:55 AM 2103 Regulatory Compliant PTFE Powders for Grease Applications
12:00 PM-1:00 PM NETWORKING LUNCH
Chuck Coe Grease Technology Solutions
George Poszmik Shamrock Technologies
Tribochemistry and Tribological Performance of Advanced Bearing Grease Fortfied with Novel Self-Assembled Nanocarbon Additives
Parash Kalita VinTech Nano Materials
1:50 PM-2:30 PM 2102
A Comparative Study of Greases Manufactured Using Microwaves with Greases Manufactured Using Conventional Heat Transfer Oil Heating
An Experimental Study of the correlation Between Low Temperature Mobility, Tackiness, and Water Resistance In a Variety of Greases
Anoop Kumar* Chevron Lubricants
Lou Honary Environmental Lubricants Manufacturing (ELM) 2:35 PM-3:15 PM 2101
Raj Shah
Koehler Instrument Company
Alan Gurt*
Louisiana State University
Reliably Testing Grease Consistency with Small Samples
Michael Khonsari Louisiana State University 4:15 PM-4:55 PM 2110
Novel Lithium Free Thickener System: Performance Profile, Characteristics and Target Applications
2021
Dwaine Morris Shell
George Dodos ELDON’S SA
*Denotes Presenter
SESSION 3 8:00 AM - 11:55 AM
8:00 AM- 8:40 AM 2105 Development of Extreme Pressure Greases Using Nano Solid Dispersion
Somnath Chattopaddhyay Balmer Lawrie
8:45 AM - 9:25 AM 2108
Modified Fatty Acids As Alternative Soap Thickeners for Lubricating Greases
9:30 AM -10:10 AM 2116 2020 Research Grant
10:10 AM-10:25 AM
10:30 AM - 11:10 AM 2112 Covering the Bases - A Study of the Influence of Synthetic Base Fluids on High Performance Greases
Devin Granger* Ingevity
Shadaab Maghrabi Ingevity
Gary Doll*
University of Akron
Christian Ondarza
University of Akron
Barbara Fowler
University of Akron
Joe Kaperick*
Afton Chemical Corp
Luca Salvi
ExxonMobil Chemical
Daniel Sanchez Garrido*
Univ of CA, Merced
11:15 AM - 11:55 AM 2104
Effect of Temperature, Surface Roughness and Material on the Tribological Behavior of Electric Motor Greases as a Baseline for Electric Vehicle Bearing Applications
Samuel Leventini
Univ of CA, Merced
Dr. Ashlie Martini
Univ of CA, Merced
*Denotes Presenter
THURSDAY, SEPT 30
SESSION 4 1:00 PM - 4:55 PM
1:00 PM- 1:40 PM 2107
Overcoming Obstacles in Water Resistant H1 and Biobased Specialty Greases Using Polymer
Erik Willett Functional Products
John Kay*
STRATCO, Inc.
Andreas Dodos
1:45 PM - 2:25 PM 2109
Effects of Reactor Material of Construction on Grease Properties
ELDON’S SA
George Dodos
ELDON’S SA
Mehdi Fathi-Najafi Nynas AB
2:30 PM -3:10 PM 2111
Evaluating Polymer Structure-Property Relationship in Lubricating Grease
3:10 AM-3:25 AM BREAK
Xiaobo Shen* Infineum USA, L.P.
Thomas McEleney Infineum USA, L.P.
Carl Kernizan*
KV Tech Consulting
3:30 PM -4:10 PM 2113
Assessment of the Lubricating Efficiency of Current Greases in Electric Vehicle Applications
Raj Shah
Koehler Instrument Company
Kunle Kernizan
KV Tech Consulting
Mark Miller*
4:15 PM -4:45 PM 2119
Innovations in High Performance, Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) in Grease Application: A Real World Perspective
Biosynthetic Technologies
Matt Kriech
Biosynthetic Technologies
*Denotes Presenter
Tuesday, September 28 from 8 AM - 5PM
Wednesday, September 29 from 1 PM - 4 PM
Offered once per year during the NLGI Annual Meeting, this in person course is a great way to obtain additional knowledge about the industry, prep for the Certified Lubricating Grease Specialist (CLGS) exam and more. With more than a 1200 alumni, NLGI’s Basic Lubricating Grease Course is the world’s foremost foundational training class for the global grease industry. This course provides an excellent overview of the types of greases, thickeners, base oils and additives. The methods of manufacturing, testing methodology and their use in bearings and in industrial and automotive applications are also covered. Topics include the following:
• Introduction to Greases
• Base Oils
• Performance Additives
• Grease Manufacturing
• Grease Packages and Dispensing
• Grease Testing
• Grease Selection and Recommendations
• Industrial Applications
• Automotive Applications
• Trouble Shooting
Tuesday, September 28 from 8 AM - 5PM
Wednesday, September 29 from 1 PM - 4 PM
Offered once per year during the NLGI Annual Meeting, this in person course is a great way to obtain additional knowledge about the industry, prep for the Certified Lubricating Grease Specialist (CLGS) exam and more. This course provides advanced instruction regarding specific types of greases, grease chemistry and specialized applications. There is an increased focus on high-value specialty greases and their manufacture and use. Topics include the following:
• Special Tests
• Soap Manufacturing
• Polyurea Greases
• Applications: Grease Tribology
• Bearing Lubrication Greases & Gear Oils
• Food Grade Lubricants
• Steel Mill Greases and Other Lubricants
• Applications: Problems
• Solid Additives
• Silicone Greases
• Calcium Sulfonate Greases
• Synthetic Lubricants Base Stocks
Thursday, September 30 from 2 PM - 4 PM
A standard that certifies that an individual possesses a defined level of expertise in the field of lubricating grease. Certification indicates that NLGI recognizes the individual as a grease expert. Certification is awarded after an individual passes a two-hour exam that consists of 120 questions about lubrication fundamentals and grease types, selection, manufacturing, applications, maintenance, testing, etc.
This certification is offered during the NLGI Annual Meeting (once per year).
• The 2021 NLGI Annual Meeting will be held in Tucson, AZ at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, September 27 – 30, 2021.
• Individuals employed by a member company taking the exam will receive a discounted fee. Individuals employed by a non-member company are still encouraged to take the exam; however the fee will be higher. Please view our Annual Meeting registration/pricing information for more details.
• Recommended Study Materials
• Renews every 3 years
• Renewal fee $100 USD
• Renewal criteria
Certification is an indicator that the individual possesses a high level of expertise in the field of grease. NLGI recognizes CLGS certified individuals as grease industry experts. CLGS certification will serve as a useful tool for employers to screen potential employees and for OEMs and end users to ensure that consultants and suppliers are qualified to make grease related recommendations.
Click Here to See All CLGS Holders.
NLGI currently licenses lubricating grease through its Certification Mark program, which includes the well-known GC-LB Performance Classification. Today, NLGI has licensed over 300 products and growing daily.
In 2015, NLGI began efforts to upgrade the GC-LB specification due to advancements in materials, technologies and applications, as well as precision issues with several of the D4950 tests. In July 2019, the
decision was made to develop a new set of specifications with higher performance and broader utility to the industry.
These new specifications evolved into what today is known as NLGI’s High-Performance Multiuse (HPM) Grease Specification. An additional goal was to define greases that meet core HPM specification and subcategories with tests and limits for enhanced performance in the following areas:
• Eliminate downtime and reduce operating costs by ensuring that you use the right HPM certified lubricant for each piece of equipment on the plant floor.
General Mfg./Industrial/ Maintenance
• Simplify your grease inventory by standardizing and consolidating with HPM certified products.
• High-performance greases can have a significant impact on operational success. Select HPM certified products.
• HPM Core Spec
• HPM Core with enhanced Water Resistance (HPM + WR)
• HPM Core with enhanced Salt Water Corrosion Resistance (HPM + CR)
• HPM Core with High Load Carrying Capacity (HPM + HL)
• HPM Core with enhanced Low Temp Performance (HPM + LT)
I’d like to help spread the word about HPM. Does NLGI have any guidelines around doing so?
Yes. Please click HERE for the marketing guidelines on promoting HPM. Please contact NLGI for a sample HPM logo for internal and external use.
How do I certify my product(s)?
Building/Construction
Chemical Process
• Selecting the right grease and preventative maintenance reduces cost and extends equipment life in construction. Protect your investment with HPM certified products.
• High-preformance greases can have a signifiant impact on operational succces of your chemical processes. Select HMP certified products.
+WR/ ENHANCED WATER RESISTANCE
+CR / SALTWATER CORROSION RESISTANCE
+HL / HIGH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY
+LT / LOW TEMPERATURE PERFORMANCE
• General Mfg / Industrial / Maintenance — sometimes applicable
• Chemical Process
• Building/Construction
• Chemical Process
• Building/Construction
• Building/Construction
• Building/Construction
• Chemical Process (sometimes)
NLGI has partnered with Center of Quality Assurance (CQA) to administer this program. A fivestep process is required to register your products. Please visit HERE for information on how to download the application documents.
Where can I find a copy of the HPM specification?
You can find the HPM specification HERE.
Exposure to over 622,000 end-users!
For more information, please contact NLGI HQ at 816-524-2500 or CQA at 989-496-2399
CLICK HERE to download The Spokesman rate card.
CLICK HERE to download the nlgi.org website advertsing rate card.
Inquiries and production materials should be sent to Denise Roberts at NLGI (denise@nlgi.org)
Fretting wear is a damaging condition which can occur in loaded bearings experiencing oscillation or fretting. The ability of lubricating greases to protect bearings from this type of damaging wear and to have standard methods to measure its performance have been recognized in our industry for many years.
ASTM’s D4170 “Standard Test Method for Fretting Wear Protection of Lubricating Greases” was developed and published in 1982 to support the measurement of this important parameter and was included in NLGI’s Automotive Service Grease specifications that were first introduced in 1989. This measure of grease protection is still considered important enough today that the ASTM D4170 test was included in the new High Performance Multiuse (HPM) specification in the category for enhanced performance in High Load Carrying Capacity (HL).
Some may be aware that concerns over variability in test parts have led to the formation of an industry taskforce to study ways to reduce overall variability of the test. The focus of this taskforce is on the test bearings and the impact of specific design parameters on variability of test results. It is hoped that an overall improvement in reproducibility can be achieved in the near future thus enhancing the ability of the industry to measure this important parameter. NLGI would like to highlight a portion of the “origin story” of what is still sometimes referred to as the “Fafnir” fretting test with this article from The Fafnir Bearing Company first published in The Spokesman in August, 1948.
