Technical Committee Lubricants

Influence of Polymer Additives on Grease Service Life

As there is an ongoing demand for increased maintenance free service lives, while at the same time the rotational speeds of bearing are greater than ever, new improved greases are needed. Past research has shown that grease composition and certain additives, such as antioxidants, can greatly increase grease service life. In this report the effect of polymer additives in greases is studied. A plain Li greases was blended with polymer additives to study the effect on the greases’ properties. Rheological studies indicate different properties for the plain grease and the greases containing polymers. Service life test were conducted, with high speed angular contact ball bearings. It was shown that polymers significantly influence grease service life and operating temperatures. The effects of the polymers on boundary layers were studied implementing ToF-Sims, and an Indenter.



The research project (14625 N) of the research association DGMK was financed by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology via the AiF in the programme for the promotion of "Industrielle Gemeinschaftsforschung (IGF)".