Effect of high-temperature thermal action on the film-forming properties of a lithium grease

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the influence of high-temperature thermal action on grease performance from the angle of film-forming performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A static thermal aging method was used to prepare high-temperature thermal grease samples after high-temperature thermal action. On the basis of optical interference technology, the film-forming characteristics of fresh grease samples and the grease samples after high-temperature thermal action under variable speed and fixed speed conditions were explored.

Findings

The decrease in the structural entanglement performance of the grease after short-term high-temperature thermal action makes its film-forming performance better. The mechanism is that the lubricating grease soap fiber entanglement is reduced. Although the continuous high-temperature thermal action can make the grease film-forming performance better, its mechanism is that the soap fiber structure caused by high-temperature thermal action is damaged and is easy to be cut off under the action of shear.

Originality/value

The effect of structural system change on its film formation performance was discussed in combination with the change in grease structure characteristics, and the mechanism of action was revealed.

Citation

Pan, J., Wu, H., Wang, A., Dai, Q. and Wang, X. (2022), "Effect of high-temperature thermal action on the film-forming properties of a lithium grease", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 74 No. 5, pp. 481-487. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-10-2021-0427