EFFECTS OF ADDITIVES UPON GREASES

This paper is a summary of the work done at Rock Island Arsenal on additives for greases. It covers antioxidants, antiwear and extreme pressure agents and rust preventive additives. No attempt is made to list the results of all additives tested. Instead the additives are divided into groups of related compounds and the results of typical, ones given. A general evaluation of each group as a whole is given, Classes of compounds which proved good as antioxidants were metal dithiocarbamates, amino‐phenyl ethers, phenylene‐diamines, methane derivatives and certain hindered phenols and di‐substituted amines. The temperature barrier was the major obstacle for the anti‐oxidants and only 9 of the 100 or so which were effective at 21()°F, were equally effective at 250°F. Sulfur, chlorine, and lead‐containing additives were the best for extreme pressure improvement. Those containing only phosphorous were belter for antiwear. Improvements in both properties could be obtained by mixing the additives. Improvement in either property seemed to depend, more upon the type of compound than upon the responsible element. For example, all sulfur containing compounds were not equal in extreme pressure properties. Some of the antiwear and extreme pressure additives were tested for their ability to reduce fretting corrosion. Results indicate that sulfur containing compounds reduce fretting while, compounds containing only phosphorous increased it. Results are given which indicate that molybdenum disulfide added to greases is detrimental to wear at lower loadings. It does improve the extreme pressure abilities of the grease. Us presence in a grease increases the rusting tendencies of greases unless an antirust agent is also present.