Film thickness in a ball-on-disc contact lubricated with greases, bleed oils and base oils

Three different lubricating greases and their bleed and base oils were compared in terms of film thickness in a ball-on-disc test rig through optical interferometry. The theoretical values calculated according to Hamrock's equation are in close agreement with the base oil film thickness measurements, which validates the selected experimental methodology. The grease and bleed oil film thickness under fully flooded lubrication conditions presented quite similar behaviour and levels. Therefore, the grease film thickness under full film conditions might be predicted using their bleed oil properties, namely the viscosity and pressure-viscosity coefficient. The base and bleed oil lubricant parameter LP are proportional to the measured film thickness. A relationship between grease and the corresponding bleed oil film thickness was evidenced.

Friction and wear in thrust ball bearings lubricated with biodegradable greases

Thrust ball bearings lubricated with several different types of grease, including three biodegradable low-toxicity greases, were tested in a modified four-ball machine in order to evaluate the bearing friction torque. At the end of each test, grease samples were obtained and analysed through ferrography, allowing the quantification and evaluation of the bearing wear. In order to compare the grease performance in terms of friction and wear, a correlation between the grease characteristics (base oil, bleed oil, thickener structure, and rheological parameters) and the experimental results was established.