What does Grease Consistency Measure
09 Sep 2019, Posted by in GeneralWhile often confused with viscosity, grease consistency is defined as the degree to which a plastic material resists deformation under the application of force. In the case of lubricating greases, this is a measure of the relative hardness or softness and has some relation to flow and dispensing properties. This is influenced by the amount of thickener in the formulation and is measured by the cone penetration test.
During this test, the cone is released and allowed to sink under its own weight for 5 seconds. The further the cone penetrates the grease, the higher the penetration result and the softer the grease. The NLGI (National Lubricating Grease Institute) has standardized a numerical scale for grease consistency worked penetration ranging from 000 for semifluid to 6 for block greases. Thicker grease is naturally more resistant to water and the effects of high temperatures.
For more info, check out the video from ExxonMobil below:
Have more questions concerning grease consistency and your equipment? Contact one of our industrial lubrication specialists today so we can make sure your machinery is up and running efficiently.
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