Greases
The use (K bearings, G enclosed gears, OG open gears, M plain bearings and seals), the additive letters P and F, the synthetic base oil letters, the NLGI grade, the upper temperature letter and the lower temperature: KPFHC 2 N-30.
Reference tool — not a selection
Lubricant codes, before they go in an RFQ.
Lubricant code
Greases and oils.
Enter a grease or oil code. Put an offered replacement’s code in the second field, and the reader checks type, NLGI grade, additives, temperatures and water resistance, or the oil’s group, family and ISO VG. The drawing and the RFQ line update with every change.
Examples:
Replacement check
On the codes alone: the product data sheet and the equipment maker’s approvals decide.
All 130 engineering tools
A hydraulic oil drum says HLP 46, a grease cartridge KP2K-30. These are DIN 51502 codes: each letter and number gives the use, the additives, the base oil, the consistency or viscosity and the temperature range. Enter a code, and the reader takes it apart, shows the temperature range and the grade on a scale and writes the RFQ line.
A code describes a class of product, not a brand. Where the machine maker asks for a named product or approval, quote that in the request.
How the code is built
Letters, grade, temperature.
Oils
Hydraulic oils HL, HLP and HVLP follow DIN 51524 parts 1 to 3, and a D adds detergent additives. C, CL and CLP oils follow DIN 51517 parts 1 to 3. The number is the ISO VG grade.
NLGI grade
The consistency of a grease, by its worked penetration: from 000, nearly fluid, to 6, very firm. Grade 2 is the usual grade for multi-purpose greases.
| Letter | Upper temperature | Water resistance to DIN 51807-1 |
|---|---|---|
| C | +60 °C | rating 0 or 1: no or little change in water |
| D | +60 °C | rating 2 or 3: a marked change in water |
| E | +80 °C | rating 0 or 1: no or little change in water |
| F | +80 °C | rating 2 or 3: a marked change in water |
| G | +100 °C | rating 0 or 1: no or little change in water |
| H | +100 °C | rating 2 or 3: a marked change in water |
| K | +120 °C | rating 0 or 1: no or little change in water |
| M | +120 °C | rating 2 or 3: a marked change in water |
| N | +140 °C | by agreement |
| P | +160 °C | by agreement |
| R | +180 °C | by agreement |
| S | +200 °C | by agreement |
| T | +220 °C | by agreement |
| U | above +220 °C | by agreement |
Water resistance is rated from 0 (no change in water) to 3 (a major change). The lower temperature is the number after the hyphen: -10, -20, -30, -40, -50 or -60 °C.
Sources
Grease codes: the DIN 51502 tables of FUCHS and ADDINOL, a DIN 51502 lubricant code chart and the Opet Fuchs technical bulletin; NLGI grades: the same sources and Wikipedia. Oils: the same chart, the Opet Fuchs bulletin, wodoil’s hydraulic oil guide and the part titles of DIN 51517. ISO 6743-4 counterparts: wodoil and the ADDINOL HLP 46 and HVLP 46 specifications. Viscosity grades: ISO 3448. The test temperature of the water rating differs between the sources and is left out.
Before you send the request
Questions about lubricant codes in an RFQ
What does KP2K-30 mean?
A grease for rolling and plain bearings (K) with EP additives (P) on mineral oil, NLGI grade 2, for use up to +120 °C with good water resistance (K) and down to minus 30 °C.
What is the difference between HLP and HVLP?
Both are hydraulic oils with anti-wear additives, to DIN 51524 parts 2 and 3. HVLP has a high viscosity index: its viscosity changes less between a cold start and working temperature.
Is HLP the same as ISO HM?
Roughly: HM is the ISO 6743-4 type nearest to HLP, and HV the one nearest to HVLP, but the requirements of the two standards are not the same. Where a maker asks for one of them, quote that one.
What should the request include?
The code as printed on the drum or cartridge, the product name if known, the machine or the maker approval it must meet, the pack size and the quantity.
Code clear?
Send the line with a photograph of the label.
A code is a class of product, not a brand. Attach a photograph of the label and name the machine, and Vessel Core checks them before an offer goes back.
Buyer tools
