Grease Endurance Testing - Tests performed under real-world operating conditions are a key component of the lubricant development process. 

The specialist FUCHS PETROLUB focuses on modern testing procedures and their development.

Grease endurance life measurements are being performed at high temperature and high speed on rolling bearings, such as those used in car wheel bearings, electric motors, or machine tools. Tests like this can easily take 1,000 to 2,000 hours, i.e. six to twelve weeks. Creating real-world operating conditions is a key component of lubricant testing. As the world’s largest independent lubricant manufacturer, the Mannheim-based family company intentionally focuses on test procedures of this kind, as they represent a key quality feature.

Up to 35 test rigs of this kind can be operated at the same time in Mannheim, spread over approximately 1,600 square meters in a three-story building.

For example, tests are performed on the foaming characteristics of passenger vehicle axle drives at various operating temperatures and speeds. The effectiveness of lubricants when adjusting seat backrests in passenger cars is also tested under variable loads. A new test rig simulates various aspects of sheet metal forming, such as those used in car body manufacturing or rolling mills. During testing, the respective lubricant is always intentionally taken to its load limit – or beyond.

RESULTS OBTAINED MORE QUICKLY

The start of the testing process: “The customer approaches FUCHS with a special requirement in his specific application. FUCHS then take a close look to determine what exactly needs to be simulated in our tests.” In the case of damage to bearings or transmissions due to wear, this might include testing the lubricant-specific influence on the wear behaviour of the respective product.

For example, the test procedure at the rolling bearing test rig for axle oils with regard to fatigue wear. For this measurement, FUCHS intentionally increase the load on the part being tested, for example by increasing the speed.”

Also, if the specialists determine after a certain time that the first damage to the system is likely to occur after 30 million load cycles, they head over to their colleagues in the laboratory. FUCHS can change the chemical composition of the lubricant so it can withstand greater loads. This allows the vehicle part to achieve a longer service life. By DR. CHRISTIAN SEYFERT, TEST FIELD MANAGER AT FUCHS  Read full article: https://bit.ly/33zCqlV