DROP AND

HARDNESS TEST
FOR GREASE
Reporters:
Berba, Ednalyn T.
Libut, Maylene b.
Manlongat, Jerzen Faith F.
Grease

■ A semisolid lubricant that is generally used where ball

and roller bearings operate at normal speeds, temperature
and loading conditions. The characteristic feature of greases
is that they possess a high initial viscosity, which upon the
application of shear, drops to give the effect of an oil-
lubricated bearing of approximately the same viscosity as
the base oil used in the grease.
GREASE COMPOSITION

There are three components that form lubricating grease. These components are
oil, thickener and additives. The base oil and additive package are the major
components in grease formulations, and as such, exert considerable influence on
the behavior of the grease. The thickener is often referred to as a sponge that
holds the lubricant (base oil plus additives).
Common Applications of Grease

■ Machinery that runs intermittently or is in storage for an extended period

of time.
■ Machinery that is not easily accessible for frequent lubrication.
■ Machinery operating under extreme conditions such as high temperature
and pressures, shock loads, or slow speed under heavy load.
■ Worn components.
Functional Properties of Grease

■ Grease functions as a sealant to minimize leakage and to keep out

contaminants.
■ Grease is easier to contain than oil.
■ Grease holds solid lubricants in suspension.
■ Fluid level does not have to be controlled and monitored.
Drop Test Of Grease

■ The dropping point of a lubricating grease is an indication of the heat

resistance of the grease and is the temperature at which it passes from a
semi-solid to a liquid state under specific test conditions. It is dependent on
the type of thickener used and the cohesiveness of the oil and thickener of a
grease.
■ The dropping point indicates the upper temperature limit at which a grease
retains its structure though is not necessarily the maximum temperature at
which a grease can be used.
■ Dropping point is used in combination with other testable properties to
determine the suitability of greases for specific applications and for use in
quality control.
Equipment to Test Drop point Of A
Grease
COMMON GREASE TYPES AND
CHARACTERISTICS
Aluminum Complex Grease

■ Has good high temperature characteristics, with a dropping point

approximately 500°F, excellent water tolerance, good shear stability, and
responds very well to additive treatments that enhance performance
capabilities, such as oxidation and rust inhibition. Frequently used in
lubricating food machinery.
Bentone (Clay) Grease

■ Bentonite clay is treated with a polar activator that will give an electrical
charge to the clay particles, thus aligning them to hold the lubricating oil
in suspension in a non-soap thickened, grease structure. Not very
compatible with other greases, since the electrical charge may be
destroyed and soften the grease beyond performance limits. This type of
product is often called a No-Melt grease. Has good water resistance, low
temperature pumpability and extremely high temperature applications
where a non-melting grease is required, the clay structure can aid in
setting up a self-forming oil seal where bearing seals are impossible to
maintain such as in wheel bearings on high temperature kiln cars.
Calcium Grease

■ Among one of the first types of grease manufactured. Used today largely
because they are moderately priced. Manufactured by using hydrated
lime and a fatty material. Calcium grease must be used in a lower
temperature environment, since they are limited to approximately 150°F.
Higher temperatures may alter the grease structure. Has very good water
tolerance.
Lithium (12-Hydroxy Stearate) Grease

A multi-purpose type grease with a buttery texture and dropping point above
350°F. Can be used with occasional temperatures up to 300°F. Lithium grease
has excellent resistance to water and breakdown, or softening, by working.
Pumpability is a very strong characteristic for this type of grease. The term
Multi-Purpose Grease is used because they combine, in a single product,
desirable characteristics normally found in each of several products. Almost
60% of the total grease market is satisfied by this type of grease.
Lithium Complex Grease
 
■ A newer type of grease, showing many of the same characteristics as the
simple lithium greases, with improved performance in the area of high
temperature, high speed bearing life. Dropping point is approximately
500°F.
Polyurea Grease

■ A grease of fairly recent development that does not use a conventional

soap thickener. This type of grease has a high dropping point,
approximately 470°F, has an ashless structure, excellent water resistance,
pumpability and provides superb high temperature bearing life. Often
used in electric motors, alternators and in food machinery. Some
Polyurea greases are very shear sensitive, that is, they will soften in
dispensing and harden in the bearings. Lighter consistency greases may
give better performance under these conditions.
Sodium Grease (Soda Soap)

■ Generally a fibrous textured, stringy grease, that was used as a standard

wheel bearing grease for many years. Dropping points will vary between
300 – 400°F, and have good shear stability. A low-cost grease that has good
rust protection, but very poor water resistance.

DROP TEST
Hardness Test

A test to determine the resistance a material exhibits to permanent

deformation by penetration of another harder material. The application
of hardness testing enables to evaluate a material’s properties, such as
strength, ductility and wear resistance. It also helps to determine
whether a material treatment is suitable for the purpose required.
Consistency
■ Describes the degree to which a semi-fluid or semi-
solid material resists deformation by an applied load.

Consistency Measurement
■ Is used to determine the degree to which a material
resists deformation by an applied force.
NLGI consistency number (Natural
Lubricating Grease Institute)
■ Expresses a measure of the relative hardness of a grease used for
lubrication, as specified by the standard classification of lubricating grease
established by the NLGI.

Grease Properties
Greases are classified into nine consistency grades (000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
established by NLGI. NLGI #000 greases are nearly fluid while NLGI #6 are
nearly solid
Cone Penetration Test (ASTM D217)

-Measures grease consistency. Under prescribed conditions, a

standardized cone is allowed to drop into the grease for five seconds, and
the level of penetration (in tenths of a millimeter) is measured to
determine its NLGI consistency number. The higher the penetration
number, the lower the consistency.
Cone Penetration
NLGI number Penetration at General Use Scope GL = sliding friction bearing
25oC(mm/10) Consistency
lubrication
000 445 to 475 Fluid GE, Z
00 400 to 430 Semi-fluid GE, Z
WL = rolling-contact
0 355 to 385 Very soft GE, Z,
bearing and wheel bearing
1 310 to 340 Soft GE, W L, GL, Z
lubrication
2 265 to 295 Medium soft W L, GL, Z WP = water-pump
3 220 to 250 Semi-solid W L, GL lubricant
4 175 to 205 Solid W L, W P
5 130 to 160 Hard WP
GE = gear lubrication
6 85 t0 115 Very hard   Z = forced
circulationLubrication
 
QUI
QUI
QUI
QUI
QUI
1. A semisolid lubricant that is generally used where ball and roller
bearings operate at normal speeds, temperature and loading conditions.
2. The ____________ of a lubricating grease is an indication of the heat
resistance of the grease and is the temperature at which it passes from a
semi-solid to a liquid state under specific test conditions. It is dependent
on the type of thickener used and the cohesiveness of the oil and
thickener of a grease.
3. A test to determine the resistance a material exhibits to permanent
deformation by penetration of another harder material.
4-5. Functional Properties of Grease
6. Expresses a measure of the relative hardness of a grease used for
lubrication.
7-8. Common Application of Grease
9-10. Common Grease Types
ANSWERS:
1. Grease
2. Dropping point
3. Hardness test
6. NLGI CONSISTENCY NUMBER