Development of ASTM Precision Bearing Grease Guide

摘要

Lubricating grease is one of important operational parameter in the rolling bearing applications. Specially, the selection of the lubricating grease for the precision bearing applications is very risky due to many other factors unique to any specific precision bearing environments. For this reason, ASTM F-34 Tribology Subcommittee did a study to develop a Precision Bearing Grease Selection Guide in joint effort with the Department of Defense (DoD). The purpose of this study was to take a broad spectrum of lubricating greases used in precision bearings, including instrument bearings, and do a comprehensive series of tests so their properties could be compared. This study is also meant to be a design guide for choosing lubricating greases for future precision bearing applications. As a part of this study, thirty-eight lubricating greases, currently used in the precision bearings, were evaluated in comprehensive series of laboratory tests. Vital recommendations were then made based on a collective effort by members of this community, who span the spectrum from bearing manufacturers, original equipment manufactures (OEMs), grease manufacturers and suppliers, procurement specialists, quality assurance representatives (QARs) from DoD, and end users both inside and outside DoD. This study has been completed within ASTM F-34 Tribology Subcommittee and published as a new ASTM Standard Guide, F-2489. This paper presents the results of the grease testing program, grease selection guide, and recommendations.