Afton Grease Additives for HPM

Grease was the Word. Now it's HPM

It's got groove, it's got meaning - and NLGI has worked on a new specification for premium tier, high performance multiuse greases. Stay ahead of the formulating curve with Afton's performance additive technology.

High Performance Multiuse (HPM) Grease Specification

While the GC-LB Mark specification was originally intended to specify quality for greases used in automotive chasses and wheel bearings, since its inception in 1989 GC-LB Mark has become an indication of high-quality grease in various applications. Because of advancements in materials, technologies, and applications, NLGI recognizes that there is a growing need in the market for higher performing greases.

NLGI is finalizing a new specification to supplement GC-LB with a set of classifications for High Performance Multiuse (HPM) greases. The HPM Core specification focuses on a set of performance areas that are common to many applications. Recognizing the diverse operating conditions and applications for grease, enhanced performance subcategories have been chosen to meet particular needs.

HPM Performance Subcategories

The performance subcategories captured within the NLGI specification are as follows; Water Resistance (WR), Load Carrying Capability (HL), Salt Water Corrosion Resistance (CR), and Low Temperature Performance (LT).

The performance tests and proposed limits for these performance subcategories are shown in more detail below. The enhanced performance subcategories must meet the core HPM specification as well. Additional performance subcategories may be developed in the future to address other common grease lubrication needs.

Test Name	Method	GC LB ASTM D4950	HPM Core	(CR)	(HL)	(WR)	(LT)
Worked-60 Pen (dmm)	D217	220-340	220-340
Rust Prevention	D1743	Pass	Pass
Bearing Rust (10% SSW)	D5969			Pass
Emcor Rust Test (distilled water)	D6138		0,1
Emcor Rust (100% SSW)	D6138			1,2
Emcor Rust (0.5 N NaCl solution)	D6138			2,3
Four-Ball Wear, max	D2266	0.6 mm	0.60		0.50
Four-Ball Wear, min	D2596	200 kgf	250		400
Four-Ball LWI, min	D2596	30 kgf
SRV step Load (procedure B at 80°C)	D5706				800
Fretting Wear (weight loss)	D4170				5
Fretting Wear Scar by SRV	D7594				0.500
Fretting Protection, max	D4170	10 mg
Dropping Point, min °C (°F)	D566/D2265	220°C (428°F)
High Temp Life, max (hrs)	D3527	80 hrs
Oxid. Stability, 100 hrs.100°C ΔkPa (psi))	D942		35 (4.9)
Copper Corrosion, 24 hrs, 100°C max	D4048		1b
CR Volume Change	D4289	0 to 40
CR Hardness Change	D4289	-15 to 0
NBR Volume Change (Δ vol%)	D4289	-5 to 30
NBR Hardness Change (Δ Hardness)	D4289	-15 to 2
NBR (ISO 13226) 168 hours, 125°C	D4289		-15 to +2
(ΔVol%)	D4289		-5 to +30
Prolonged worked penetration (Δ100k)	D217		+/- 30
Water Washout, % loss, max	D1264	15 wt%	10 wt%			5 wt%
Water spray off, max	D4049					40 wt%
Wet roll stability (2 hrs, RT)	D8022					+/- 15 Δ%
High temp bleed (30 hrs, 100°C)	D6184
Roll stability (2 hrs,RT)	D1831
Oil Separation (24 hrs, 25°C)	D1742	6 wt%
Leakage, grams loss	D4290	10g
Low Temp Torque Ball Bearing, -20°C	D1478
Starting Torque, max		1000 mNm
Running Torque, max		100 mNm
Low Temp Torque (-40°C)	D4693
Low Temp Torque Ball Bearing, -30°C	D1478
Starting torque, max							1,000 mNm
Running Torque, max							100 mNm
U.S. Steel Mobility, -20°C, min	LT-37						10 g/min
Low Temp Flow (Kesternich) -30°C	DIN 51805-2						1400 mbar

Afton Grease Additive Solutions

Afton Chemical specializes in specialty additive components and packages for formulating a range of performance greases. Afton is familiar with the challenges facing formulators evaluating a new HPM certified grease, and is happy to help you and your team navigate these hurdles.