High-Performance Multiuse Grease (HPM)

Webinar
June 18, 2020
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. EST

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NLGI Grease Specifications
Joe Kaperick, CLGS
Afton Chemical Corporation

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High Performance Multiuse (HPM) Grease Specifications
• 2015-2016 NLGI Strategic Plan
Our Mission Statement:
It is the mission of NLGI to provide resources relevant to the needs of the global
grease community.
The Vision of NLGI:
We will be recognized as the premier source of support to consumers, researchers,
manufacturers, suppliers, marketers, and the other key stakeholders of the
worldwide lubricating grease industry.
• 6 Priority Areas identified
• Communication of the value of NLGI knowledge-based resources and certification
• Objective(s): Increase NLGI’s recognition as a key technical resource to the industry
• “Modernize and update GC-LB program”
3
NLGI Specifications: Past and Present
• NLGI currently licenses lubricating grease through their Certification Mark
program which includes the well-known GC-LB Performance Classification.
• The GC-LB specifications were developed beginning in 1968 and published in
1989 as ASTM D4950.
• This certification program has provided an internationally-recognized grease
specification for grease and bearing manufacturers, users and consumers since
that time. Current License Distribution
• Today, 306 total products licensed by 85 different companies LB
14% GA
• Approximately 10% increase in licenses since May 2014 1%

• Majority (83%) meet GC-LB spec GC

2%

• Although originally conceived as an automotive chassis and wheel bearing

specification, GC-LB today is recognized as a mark of quality for grease specifiers.
• Due to advancements in materials, technologies and applications, NLGI GC-LB
83%

recognizes that current applications may be better served by updated

specifications. LB GA GC GC- LB

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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 and sub-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)
• Long Life (LL)
• Low Temperature Performance (LT)

5
Grease Specification Governance Structure and
Timeline
Launch HPM Grease specifications
NLGI Board of Directors
(final approval)
NLGI Executive Committee
(review recommendations)
NLGI Grease Specifications Steering Committee
CQA, NLGI tech consultant, NLGI EC,
representatives from the Board & membership
(draft recommendation of new grease spec)
NLGI Grease Specifications Working Group
NLGI membership – open meetings
(initial discussions, form, structure and
process for new spec)
January 2021
October – December 2020
• NLGI HQ/CQA publicize the new specification
July – September 2020
• Grease Specs Steering Committee - Fine Tuning
• NLGI EC and Board of Directors Approve
June 2020
• Grease Spec Working Group Update (Virtual)
• Finalization Meeting at NLGI AM à Virtual
October 2019 – May 2020
• CQA, Tech Consultant & Steering Committee Work
• Full day workshop - March 2020 (Atlanta à Virtual)
July – Sept. 2019
• Hire Center for Quality Assurance (CQA)
• Form NLGI Grease Specifications Steering Committee
• Hire Technical Consultant
June 2015 – June 2019
Grease Specifications Working Group Meetings
6
Any questions?

• We will be addressing questions/comments being posted on the “Q&A”

feature of your Zoom meeting menu.
• You may “vote up” a question by clicking on the “thumbs up” icon – this will
raise the question higher up the queue to be answered.
• Depending on the volume of questions, we may not have time to answer all
of them today. We will attempt to formulate answers to common questions
using an FAQ feature on the NLGI website.

7
Grease Specification Governance Structure and
Timeline
Launch HPM Grease specifications
NLGI Board of Directors
(final approval)
NLGI Executive Committee
(review recommendations)
NLGI Grease Specifications Steering Committee
CQA, NLGI tech consultant, NLGI EC,
representatives from the Board & membership
(draft recommendation of new grease spec)
NLGI Grease Specifications Working Group
NLGI membership – open meetings
(initial discussions, form, structure and
process for new spec)
January 2021
October – December 2020
• NLGI HQ/CQA publicize the new specification
July – September 2020
• Grease Specs Steering Committee - Fine Tuning
• NLGI EC and Board of Directors Approve
June 2020
• Grease Spec Working Group Update (Virtual)
• Finalization Meeting at NLGI AM à Virtual
October 2019 – May 2020
• CQA, Tech Consultant & Steering Committee Work
• Full day workshop - March 2020 (Atlanta à Virtual)
July – Sept. 2019
• Hire Center for Quality Assurance (CQA)
• Form NLGI Grease Specifications Steering Committee
• Hire Technical Consultant
June 2015 – June 2019
Grease Specifications Working Group Meetings
8
WORKING GROUP HISTORY
Dr. Gareth Fish, CLS, CLGS
The Lubrizol Corporation

9
 NLGI Automotive Service Greases

• Between 1968 and 1989, a joint effort between the NLGI, ASTM and SAE led
to the development of the “Standard Classification and Specification for
Automotive Service Greases” – ASTM D4950

• For the re-lubrication of:

• Chassis systems and universal joints – Category L
• Wheel bearings – Category G

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 The Beginnings of the New Specification

• On December 5th, 2012, ASTM D02.B0.04 met in Norfolk, Virginia

• The main item on the agenda was the approval of the ASTM D4950 standard that
defines the requirements of the NLGI Standard Classification and Specification for
Automotive Service Greases
• Under New Business, there was a discussion on the continued validity of some of the test
methods used as part of the approval process
• Tests that had no current issues and with good repeatability (r) and reproducibility (R) were
identified, as were problematic tests
• It was agreed that a working group should be set up to review the problematic test methods
and to define a path forward

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D4950 Automotive Greases Tests Status

OK tests Problematic tests

• D217 Cone Penetration D2265 (and D566) Dropping Point
• D1264 Water Washout D3527 Grease Life
• D1742 Oil Separation D4290 Grease Leakage
• D1743 Rust testing D4170 Fretting wear
• D2266 4-Ball Wear D4289 Elastomer Compatibility
• D2596 4-Ball EP D4693 Low temperature Torque

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 Current Status of ASTM D4950
• D4950 was re-approved as modified in 2014 and again in 2019
• Valid until 2024

• Many OEM / OVM users suggested that the standard needs updating and/or
replacing

• Supporting test methods covering dropping point (D2265), high temperature Grease
Life (D3527), Fretting wear (D4170) and Elastomer Compatibility (D4289) are being
worked on within ASTM D02.G0 Sub-committee

13
2015 Town Hall Meeting at NLGI Annual Meeting

• At the first meeting in Coeur d’Alene, ID, ideas for a new specification were
discussed at the meeting
• The NLGI Board of Directors agreed to set up a working group to look into
either upgrading existing NLGI GC-LB specification or defining a new one
• Dr Gareth Fish of the Lubrizol Corporation was asked to chair

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2016 – 2018 Working Group Meetings
• The current premise that we need a lubricating grease performance standard
for automotive service greases for passenger cars and light trucks is
significantly distant from reality
• Almost no service requirements for light duty automotive greases today
• >90% of applications are sealed for life componentry
• Currently many OVMs and OEMs who specify GC-LB greases think that current
performance standard is inadequate

• Most newly approved commercial GC-LB lubricating greases offer GC-LB plus:
• With better water resistance
• Higher Load carrying capacity
• Better salt water resistance

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2019 Working Group Meeting
• It was decided not to upgrade the existing NLGI GC-LB Specification and to
develop new more relevant standards for the grease industry
• NLGI LB and GC-LB still widely used in the trucking industry

• Decided to pursue four sub-categories for licensing which meet HPM in

addition to the characteristics listed below:
• Better water resistance
• Higher load carrying capacity
• Better salt water resistance
• Long life grease

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Any questions?

• We will be addressing questions/comments being posted on the “Q&A”

feature of your Zoom meeting menu.
• You may “vote up” a question by clicking on the “thumbs up” icon – this will
raise the question higher up the queue to be answered.
• Depending on the volume of questions, we may not have time to answer all
of them today. We will attempt to formulate answers to common questions
using an FAQ feature on the NLGI website.

17
 Steering Committee
Formation and Operation
Mike Kunselman
Center for Quality Assurance

18
Grease Specification Governance Structure and
Timeline
Launch HPM Grease specifications
NLGI Board of Directors
(final approval)
NLGI Executive Committee
(review recommendations)
NLGI Grease Specifications Steering Committee
CQA, NLGI tech consultant, NLGI EC,
representatives from the Board & membership
(draft recommendation of new grease spec)
NLGI Grease Specifications Working Group
NLGI membership – open meetings
(initial discussions, form, structure and
process for new spec)
January 2021
October – December 2020
• NLGI HQ/CQA publicize the new specification
July – September 2020
• Grease Specs Steering Committee - Fine Tuning
• NLGI EC and Board of Directors Approve
June 2020
• Grease Spec Working Group Update (Virtual)
• Finalization Meeting at NLGI AM à Virtual
October 2019 – May 2020
• CQA, Tech Consultant & Steering Committee Work
• Full day workshop - March 2020 (Atlanta à Virtual)
July – Sept. 2019
• Hire Center for Quality Assurance (CQA)
• Form NLGI Grease Specifications Steering Committee
• Hire Technical Consultant
June 2015 – June 2019
Grease Specifications Working Group Meetings
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 The process for getting to HPM Grease!
Interviews
Collecting feedback was a considerable effort…
• Equipment Makers, Vehicle Manufacturers & Grease Manufacturers (especially current GC-LB holders)
• Continuous feedback loop: Clip below is from October 2019 presentation

21
 Collecting
“C feedback was unending…
h a le n
Example clip from Octoberl2019…
•
g in g bu
t ac h
ieva
b le …
”

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 The process for getting to HPM Grease!
Interviews
Collecting feedback was…
• A team approach
• Balanced
• Thorough
• We utilized the feedback throughout the process.
• Importance of fretting wear for heavy equipment
• Low temperature specification
• Roller bearing vs. tapered roller bearing in the HPM Grease
specification
 The process for getting to HPM Grease!
Interviews Collecting feedback was…
Specification • A team approach
Steering
Committee • Balanced
• Thorough
• We utilized the feedback throughout the
process.
• Importance of fretting wear for heavy equipment
• Low temperature specification
• Roller bearing vs. tapered roller bearing in the
HPM Grease specification
• Monthly reviews with the Spec Steering Committee
 Steering Committee Formation & Operation
• Initial “Specification Steering Committee”
was made up of NLGI’s Executive Committee
Specification Steering Committee Membership
members + leader of the Specification
Working Group (Dr. Gareth Fish).
• Goal: Input from grease users and
equipment manufacturers. Steering
committee expanded to include vehicle and
bearing manufacturers.
• Feedback: Do not set a specification
achieved exclusively through proprietary
additive chemistry.
• Additional grease manufacturers and
marketers were included to balance the
steering committee. 25
 The process for getting to HPM Grease!
Interviews MARCH 2020 WORKSHOP
Specification
Steering • Participant expertise was
Committee impressive.
• “Real life experiences”
were key inputs.
• Table Captains
represented their team’s
• March 2020 Workshop feedback throughout the
process.
• 45 participants @ 5 tables
• Long Life put on hold.
• “Table Captains”
Test development was
• Virtual event due to COVID-19 still in the future and not
• China, India, S. America ready for Q1 2020
launch. 26
 The process for getting to HPM Grease!
Specification
Interviews Steering
Specification Committee
Steering
Committee

• March 2020 Workshop

• 45 participants @ 5 tables

• “Table Captains”

• Virtual event due to COVID-19

• China, India, S. America

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 Decision Making Process Specification
Steering
Committee
• About one-quarter of the
tests, methods and limits
could be agreed with
consensus.
• Everything else was
worked through item by
item.
• Many tests decided after
data collection and
analysis.

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 The process for getting to HPM Grease!
Specification
Interviews Steering
Specification Committee
Steering
Committee

Generally
consensus
• March 2020 Workshop but
• 45 participants @ 5 tables sometimes
“Consensus
• “Table Captains” but not
unanimous
• Virtual event due to COVID-19 agreement.”
• China, India, S. America

29
Any questions?

• We will be addressing questions/comments being posted on the “Q&A”

feature of your Zoom meeting menu.
• You may “vote up” a question by clicking on the “thumbs up” icon – this will
raise the question higher up the queue to be answered.
• Depending on the volume of questions, we may not have time to answer all
of them today. We will attempt to formulate answers to common questions
using an FAQ feature on the NLGI website.

30
HPM Specifications
Chuck Coe, CLGS, CLS
Grease Technology Solutions, LLC

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 HPM Core Specification

Property Test Conditions Test method Units Minimum Maximum Actions

Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease Worked 60 Strokes ASTM D217 dmm 220 340
Prolonged worked penetration
Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease ASTM D217 dmm -10% +10%
(Δ100k)

ΔHardness
Elastomer compatibility of Lubricating Greases -15 +2 Standard reference elastomer still
(Shore A points)
and Fluids [using NBR standard reference 168 hours @ 125 °C ASTM D4289 to be finalized; Road test to
elastomer per ISO 13226] validate limits
Δ Volume
-5 +30
percent

Oxidation Stability of Lubricating Greases by Pressure drop after 100hrs @ kPa 35

ASTM D942
the Oxygen Pressure Vessel Method 100 °C (psi) (4.9)

Determining the Water Washout

60 minutes @ 79 °C ASTM D1264 wt% 10
Characteristics of Lubricating Greases

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 HPM Specification (continued)

Property Test Conditions Test method Units Minimum Maximum Actions

Low Temperature Torque of Ball Bearing Grease -20 °C ASTM D1478

mNm 1000
Starting torque Road test to validate limits
(g·cm) (10,200)
mNm 100
Running torque @ 60 minutes
(g·cm) (1,020)

Oil Separation from Lubricating Grease During

24 hours @ 25 °C ASTM D1742 wt% 5.0
Storage

Oil Separation from Lubricating Grease (Conical

30 hours @ 100 °C ASTM D6184 wt% 7.0
Sieve Method)

Roll Stability of Lubricating Grease [using 1/2

2 hours @ Room Temperature ASTM D1831 dmm -10% +10%
scale penetration]

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 HPM Specification (continued)

Property Test Conditions Test method Units Minimum Maximum Actions

Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating

75 °C, 1200 rpm, 60 minutes ASTM D2266 mm 0.60
Grease (Four-Ball Method) Wear Scar Diameter

Measurement of Extreme-Pressure Properties

of Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method), Weld 1770 rpm @ 27 °C ASTM D2596 kgf 250
point
Determining Corrosion Preventive Properties of
48 hours @ 52 °C ASTM D1743 rating Pass
Lubricating Greases
Determination of Corrosion-Preventive
Properties of Lubricating Greases Under Distilled Water, 2 bearings ASTM D6138 rating 0,1
Dynamic Wet Conditions (Emcor Test)
Detection of Copper Corrosion from Lubricating
24 hours @ 100 °C ASTM D4048 rating 1B
Grease

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 HPM + Water Resistance specification
(HPM + WR)

Property Test Conditions Test method Units Minimum Maximum Actions

Determining the Water Washout
60 minutes @ 79 °C ASTMD1264 wt% 5.0
Characteristics of Lubricating Greases

Determining the Resistance of Lubricating

5 minutes @ 38 °C ASTM D4049 wt% 40
Grease to Water Spray

Roll Stability of Lubricating Grease in Presence

2 hours @ Room Temperature ASTM D8022 dmm -15% +15% Road test to validate limits
of Water [using 1/2 scale penetration]

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 HPM + Corrosion Resistance specification
(HPM + CR)

Property Test Conditions Test method Units Minimum Maximum Actions

Corrosion-Preventive Properties of Lubricating
10% Synthetic seawater (as in
Greases in Presence of Dilute Synthetic Sea ASTM D5969 rating Pass
ASTM D665)
Water Environments

Determination of Corrosion-Preventive
100% Synthetic seawater (as in
Properties of Lubricating Greases Under ASTM D6138 rating 1,2
ASTM D665)
Dynamic Wet Conditions (Emcor Test)

Determination of Corrosion-Preventive
0.5 N solution (~ 3% NaCl
Properties of Lubricating Greases Under ASTM D6138 rating 2,3
solution)
Dynamic Wet Conditions (Emcor Test)

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 HPM + High Load specification
(HPM + HL)
Property Test Conditions Test method Units Minimum Maximum Actions

Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating

75 °C, 1200 rpm, 60 minutes ASTM D2266 mm 0.50 Road test to validate limits
Grease (Four-Ball Method) Wear Scar Diameter

Measurement of Extreme-Pressure Properties

of Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method), Weld ASTM D2596 kgf 400
1770 rpm @ 27 °C
point

Determining Extreme Pressure Properties of

Lubricating Greases Using a High-Frequency, (Procedure B at 80 °C) ASTM D5706 N 800
Linear-Oscillation (SRV) Test Machine

Plan is to offer provisional licensing

until test variation is addressed
Average of 2 runs, 22 hours @ through ASTM. Provisional = you
Fretting Wear Protection by Lubricating Greases ASTM D4170 mg 5.0
Room Temperature get the certification and have to
submit the data after the test is
fixed
Determining Fretting Wear Resistance of
Lubricating Greases Under High Hertzian
50 °C, 100N, 0.300mm, 4 hours ASTM D7594 mm 0.500
Contact Pressures Using a High-Frequency,
Linear-Oscillation (SRV) Test Machine

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 HPM + Low Temperature specification
(HPM + LT)

Property Test Conditions Test method Units Minimum Maximum Actions

Low Temperature Torque of Ball Bearing Grease -30 °C ASTM D1478

mNm 1000
Starting torque
(g·cm) (10,200)
mNm 100
Running torque @ 60 minutes
(g·cm) (1,020)

Grease Mobility -20 °C US Steel LT-37 g/min 10 Road test to validate limits

Determination of flow pressure of lubricating

-30 °C DIN 51805 mbar 1400
greases according to Kesternich method

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Any questions?

• We will be addressing questions/comments being posted on the “Q&A”

feature of your Zoom meeting menu.
• You may “vote up” a question by clicking on the “thumbs up” icon – this will
raise the question higher up the queue to be answered.
• Depending on the volume of questions, we may not have time to answer all
of them today. We will attempt to formulate answers to common questions
using an FAQ feature on the NLGI website.

39
HPM Specification Launch
Joe Kaperick, CLGS
Afton Chemical Corporation

40
Grease Specification Governance Structure and
Timeline
Launch HPM Grease specifications
NLGI Board of Directors
(final approval)
NLGI Executive Committee
(review recommendations)
NLGI Grease Specifications Steering Committee
CQA, NLGI tech consultant, NLGI EC,
representatives from the Board & membership
(draft recommendation of new grease spec)
NLGI Grease Specifications Working Group
NLGI membership – open meetings
(initial discussions, form, structure and
process for new spec)
January 2021
October – December 2020
• NLGI HQ/CQA publicize the new specification
July – September 2020
• Grease Specs Steering Committee - Fine Tuning
• NLGI EC and Board of Directors Approve
June 2020
• Grease Spec Working Group Update (Virtual)
• Finalization Meeting at NLGI AM à Virtual
October 2019 – May 2020
• CQA, Tech Consultant & Steering Committee Work
• Full day workshop - March 2020 (Atlanta à Virtual)
July – Sept. 2019
• Hire Center for Quality Assurance (CQA)
• Form NLGI Grease Specifications Steering Committee
• Hire Technical Consultant
June 2015 – June 2019
Grease Specifications Working Group Meetings
41
Forward plan
• 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

42
Any questions?

• We will be addressing questions/comments being posted on the “Q&A”

feature of your Zoom meeting menu.
• You may “vote up” a question by clicking on the “thumbs up” icon – this will
raise the question higher up the queue to be answered.
• Depending on the volume of questions, we may not have time to answer all
of them today. We will attempt to formulate answers to common questions
using an FAQ feature on the NLGI website.

43
Answers
• Today’s slides will be posted on the NLGI website along with supporting material
regarding the development and introduction of the new HPM specifications.
• https://www.nlgi.org/about-us/high-performance-multiuse-grease/
• If you have additional questions or comments that weren’t able to be addressed
today, please feel free to contact any of today’s panelists:
• Joe Kaperick – Joe.Kaperick@AftonChemical.com
• Dr. Gareth Fish – Gareth.Fish@Lubrizol.com
• Mike Kunselman – Grease@CenterForQA.com
• Chuck Coe – ChuckCoe@Grease-Tech.com
• Crystal O’Halloran – Crystal@NLGI.org

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NLGI (Virtual) Technical Week

• More details at:

• https://www.nlgi.org/news-events/nlgi-technical-week/

Monday, August 24, 2020 Basic & Advanced Education Courses

Tuesday, August 25, 2020 Basic & Advanced Education Courses
Wednesday, August 26, 2020 Industry Speaker presentation & Technical Sessions
Thursday, August 27, 2020 Technical Sessions
Friday, August 28, 2020 Technical Session & HPM Panel Discussion

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