Experimental Study on the Influence of Thickener Type on the Reflux Characteristics of Grease under Starved Lubrication

摘要

The grease film thickness is measured on the nano scale Elastohydrodynamic (EHL) test rig based on optical interferometry. Under the experimental conditions, the contact area experiences the lubrication states of full lubrication, starved lubrication and film thickness recovery. Compared with the polyurea grease, the lithium grease enters into the starved lubrication much earlier and the film thickness is lower in starved lubrication. However, the film thickness of lithium grease also rises earlier and the rising amplitude is larger than the polyurea grease. The deficiency degree with thickener type of lithium is more serious than polyurea while the reflux capacity of lithium grease is much better than polyurea grease.