Shell grease product receives NLGI HPM grease certification
Shell Gadus S3 V220C 2 grease is now approved against the NLGI HPM certification. In addition to the HPM core certification, Shell Gadus S3 V220C 2 also obtained the +HL tag for enhanced level of performance in the heavy load carrying capacity category.
Prior to receiving the HPM + HL certification, Shell Gadus S3 V220C 2 also held the NLGI GC – LB performance classification, now making it the first dual certified grease currently available in the market.
The internationally recognized GC-LB performance classification is given to greases that have been tested and verified to demonstrate performance characteristics that meet the industry’s highest performance classification, ASTM D4950 – Standard Classification and Specification for Automotive Service Greases. Originally conceived as an automotive chassis and wheel bearing specification, GC-LB is now considered a mark of quality for grease specifiers. As of 2020, 306 products have been licensed by 85 different companies, with a 10% increase in licenses since May 2014.
The HPM Grease Certification Program ensures that all certified greases meet or exceed the High-Performance Multiuse grease specification requirements in the areas of mechanical stability, oil separation, water resistance, heat tolerance, corrosion resistance and load carry capacity. All licensed HPM brands undergo rigorous qualification testing using independent laboratories to ensure they meet the HPM performance requirements.
The HPM core specification introduces several new tests, including: Oxidation Stability of Lubricating Greases by the Oxygen Pressure Vessel Method (ASTM D942); Low-Temperature Torque of Ball Bearing Grease (ASTM D1478); Oil Separation from Lubricating Grease using the Conical Sieve Method (ASTM D6184); Roll Stability of Lubricating Grease using ½ scale penetration (ASTM D1831); the Emcor Test for determination of corrosion-preventive properties of lubricating greases under dynamic wet conditions (ASTM D6138); and Detection of Copper Corrosion from Lubricating Grease (ASTM D4048). Several existing GC-LB tests are retained with more stringent test limits.
