Automotive Engineering - October 2021 - 27

LUBRICANTS FEATURE
" Low-noise damping greases, highperformance/high-speed
greases,
extended-life greases, conducting
greases...the industry wants all four
of those in one! "
Lubricant 'tuning'
Lubrizol develops additive packages of components for greases
to meet industry specifications, then works with grease
manufacturers to take the product to market. The EV market
increasingly is focused on reducing the noise of propulsion systems,
which are already inherently quiet. Dr. Fish explains: " If
you need a lownoise
grease, you
typically filter the
base oils and filter
the additives. Make
sure the thickener
was nicely milled to
a very smooth, uniform
consistence.
If you can do that,
it goes a long way
to reducing noise
generation in the
bearing. "
Lubrizol's
Dr. Gareth
Fish expects a
new focus by
the lubricants
industry on
more energyefficient
greases.
To
make a grease conducting, conducting solids are added.
Dr. Fish has seen many solutions and proposals, including using
carbon nanotubes (which are expensive); powdered metal;
silver particles and even carbon black, which can generate
noise. " If you add the wrong solids, you can get abrasive wear,
but you need to make sure the particle sizes are controlled. If
the particle size is smaller than the lubricant film thickness,
that shouldn't cause any damage. "
On the market today there are low-noise damping greases,
high-performance/high-speed greases, extended-life greases
and conducting greases. " The industry wants all four of those
in one! That's the challenge - and energy efficiency, " Dr. Fish
said. " So one of the changes we're likely to see is a focus on
where throughout an EV can the grease absorb significant
amounts of energy and reduce range, calling for more energyefficient
greases. One of the challenges is how do you measure
the energy-efficiency of a grease in a bearing? You have
to ensure that the film thickness is sufficient to separate the
surfaces, but not too thick that it causes churning losses.
There's a zone where you need to be, lubrication-wise. "
In the world of grease, " It's a matter of balancing and adjustment
of the base oil, thickener, additives and manufacturing.
You have to 'tune' those four elements to meet requirements, "
he said.
AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING
Simultaneously Display
and Record 23 SPNs
madgetech.com
info@madgetech.com
(603) 456-2011
Olson Ecologic Ad 0621-3.qxp_Layout 1 5/19/21 4:06 PM Page 1
Free Info at http://info.hotims.com/79445-708
Olson Ecologic-One Mission-Clean Air
Services
* US EPA and CARB Certification Testing
* Marine & MARPOL Qualified
* Exhaust and Evaporative Emission Testing
* All Unit Durability Provided
* EOM and Aftermarket Testing
* Mileage Accumulation
* Product Development and Evaluation
* 8 Mode, 13 Mode and Steady State Testing
* EPA Transient Cycle Engine Emission Testing
* Emission Component Testing
Light and Heavy-Duty Engine Emission Testing
Marine Outboard and Inboard Engine Testing
Motorcycles, ATV, UTV, SORE Engine Testing
Off Road Vehicles, ULEV, LEV Emission Vehicles
Electric, CNG, Propane, and Ng Emission Testing
150 Years Testing Experience
Call Us Today: 714-774-3385 or 817-313-7349
Visit our website at www.ecologiclabs.com
Free Info at http://info.hotims.com/79445-709
27
LUBRIZOL
J1939
Compliant
http://info.hotims.com/79445-708 http://info.hotims.com/79445-709 http://info.hotims.com/79445-709
Automotive Engineering - October 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Automotive Engineering - October 2021
