Effects of flow properties of lithium soap greases on bearing torque

This study describes the influence of flow properties of lithium soap greases on torque of small ball bearings. Three types of greases with different worked penetration were tested in this study. Their rheological properties are revealed by a cone plate type rheometer. Shear stresses under various shear rates are fitted with the Herschel-Bulkley equation. In addition, viscoelastic behaviors of the greases are measured by small amplitude oscillatory shear. The crossover stress that means the shear stress at G’=G” is obtained for the greases. Then, the bearing torque when three types of greases are used as a lubricant is measured. As the results, the grease with higher crossover stress shows the lower bearing torque regardless of that it has larger apparent viscosity. On the other hand, the grease with lower crossover stress shows the higher bearing torque regardless of that it has lower apparent viscosity. These results imply that the channeling state appears in the grease with higher crossover stress while the churning state appears in the grease with lower crossover stress.