GREASE

SELECTION
STEPS
MAJOR PARAMETERS OF SELECTION

 Base Oil Viscosity

 Base Oil Group
 Additives
 NLGI Number (Consistency)
 Thickener
 Performance Properties
BASE OIL VISCOSITY
Speed Factor : Speed factors account for the surface speed of
the bearing elements and are determined by the following
formula:
Speed Factor = NDm
Where,
N = rpm and
Dm = ( bearing bore + outside diameter) / 2 [UoM is mm]

The NDm value uses pitch diameter rather than bore diameter
because not all bearings of a given bore have the same element
diameter, and thus have different surface speeds.

Knowing the speed factor value and likely operating

temperature, the minimum viscosity requirement can be read
directly from charts in the following figure ......
As it is clear from the figure,

1) we will have to go for

higher VG, if temperature
increases for same speed
factor.

2) We will have go for lesser

VG if speed factor increases
temperature remaining
same.
LET US MAKE IT SIMPLER FOR OUR OPERATING
CONDITIONS :

DmN Factor K.V. at 40°C

Below 10000 460 (cSt)
>10000 320
> 20000 220
> 30000 150
> 50000 100
> 60000 68
> 80000 32
100000 and above 10/15
BASE OIL TYPE
Most greases are formulated using API Group I and II mineral oil base
stocks, which are appropriate for most applications.

synthetic base oils are required for :

• high or low operating temperatures
• a wide ambient temperature range
• any application where extended re-lubrication intervals
are desired.

ADDITIVES
Once the appropriate viscosity has been determined, it’s time to consider
additives.

Most performance-enhancing additives found in lubricating oils are also

used in grease formulation and should be chosen according to the
demands of the application. Figure 2 shows some common additive
requirements by application :
 Journal Ball Thrust Roller Needle
Additive
Bearings Bearings Bearings Bearings Bearings
Antioxidants • • • • •
Antifoam
• • • • •
Agents

Antiwear/EP • • • •

Rust
• • • •
Inhibitors
Extreme
Pressure
Demulsibility • • • •

VI Improvers •

Corrosion
• • • • •
Inhibitors
• Required, Depends on application
GREASE CONSISTENCY
Now for that extra step: The consistency of grease is controlled
by the thickener concentration, thickener type and the viscosity
of the base oil. Even though base oil viscosity affects consistency,
it is important to note that a grease can have a high consistency
and a low base oil viscosity or vice versa. (Higher viscosity do
not necessarily lead to higher consistency)

The NLGI has established a scale to indicate grease consistency

which ranges from grades 000 (semifluid) to 6 (block grease).
The most common NLGI grade is 2 and is recommended for
most applications.

For bearings, speed factor and operating temperature can be

used to determine the NLGI grade for a given application.

Following table provides a general guide to selecting NLGI grade

based on speed factor and operating temperature.
 Operating DN
NLGI No.*
Temperature (Speed Factor)
0 - 75,000 1
-30 to 100 °F
75,000 - 150,000 2
(-34 to 38 °C)
150,000 - 300,000 2
0 - 75,000 2
0 to 150°F
75,000 - 150,000 2
(-18 to 66 °C)
150,000 - 300,000 3
0 - 75,000 2
100 to 275°F
75,000 - 150,000 3
(38 to 135 °C)
150,000 - 300,000 3
*Depends on other factors as well, including bearing type,
thickener type, base oil viscosity and base oil type

As can be observed above, for most applications, NLGI grade 2 is applicable.

THICKENER

Numerous types of grease thickeners are currently in use,

each with its own pros and cons :

Thickener

Soap type Non soap

Poly urea, clay
pigments etc.

Simple Soap Complex Soap

Li - base Li - complex
Ca - base Al - complex
Na - base Ca – complex
Al - base Ti – complex
Ca-Sulphonate
PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES

Once the appropriate base oil viscosity, additive

requirements and consistency have been determined,
the remaining criteria to consider are the performance
properties.

Grease performance properties include many of the

same properties used for lubricating oils

Properties exclusive to grease include :

• Dropping point
• Mechanical stability
• Water washout
• Bleed characteristics
• Pumpability.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT FACTOR IS
QUANTUM OF GREASE USED

Fill in bearing
N/Ng house space (%)
Upto 0.2 80
0.2 To 0.5 50
0.5 To 0.8 30
0.8 To 1.0 10
N = Actual RPM
Ng = Max. Permissible RPM

Re-lubrication Quantity
G = OD x B / 200 gm
OD = Bearing Outer Diameter in mm
B = Width of inner race bearing in mm