INFLUENCE OF FILLERS ON THE RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF THEIR COMPOSITIONS WITH LUBRICATING GREASES

摘要

The paper presents the results of studies on the influence of fillers, introduced into lubricating greases, on the rheological properties of resultant grease compositions. These fillers were graphite and PTFE powders. They are added to greases in order to improve their tribological properties. They also affect their rheological properties, and they mainly change the value of the shear stress in grease during its flow in a lubrication system. Knowledge of this value is important in designing automated central lubrication systems in which these compositions may be used. Measurements during experimental tests were performed by means of a rotary rheometer Rheotest 2.1. Tests were performed on pure lithium and bentonite greases, with the addition of oxidation and corrosion inhibitors as well as compositions of these greases with different shares of the above mentioned fillers. These tests were performed by changing the gradient of shearing rate. Test results have shown that both the kind of grease and the kind of filler introduced into this grease affect the rheological properties of produced grease compositions.