mPAO grease

Using ASTM D1478, we compared ISO VG 460 greases –mPAO-based, mineral oil-based and conventional polyalphaolefin (cPAO)-based greases –at -40°C. The chart shows starting torque and torque after one-hour running time. All the NLGI #2 greases were formulated with a commercial additive package and lithium-complex thickener. Synesstic™ 12 alkylated naphthalene (AN) was added to a SpectraSyn Elite™ 150 and a SpectraSyn Elite™ 300 grease. The mPAO greases, including those with AN, significantly improved low-temperature torque compared to mineral-based grease.

ASTM D5483 measures oxidation induction time by Pressure Differential Scanning Calorimetry (PDSC). ASTM D942 measures resistance to oxidation in a sealed system at an elevated temperature. In these tests, grease formulated with SpectraSyn Elite mPAO demonstrated enhanced high-temperature properties compared to mineral oil-and PAO-based greases.

In tests simulating the pumping of grease in a centralized lubrication system, we compared mineral oil-based grease with grease formulated with SpectraSyn™ 100 PAO and SpectraSyn Elite 300™ mPAO base stocks. In the test, a high-performance grease should pump easily at low temperatures without the oil and thickener separating. The high-viscosity mPAO grease demonstrates improved pumpability at low temperatures, enabling grease to move more quickly into the lubrication system.