MOLYKOTE® G-5025 grease exceeds competitive lubricants in new braking system

Application

Bethel Automotive Safety Systems, Co., Ltd., a global brake system manufacturer based in China, has initiated the development of its Wire-Controlled Brake System (WCBS) a new single box EHB system. The system, combined with an electronic emergency parking brake, offers the advantage of being smaller and lighter with fewer components than traditional power assisted brakes and two box EHB systems  and can be used in both new electric vehicles and traditional combustion engine vehicles.

The manufacturer was seeking a lubricant solution that would be compatible with rubber and plastic and would pass the system’s endurance tests over a wide range of service temperatures.

The Challenge

Initially, a competitor’s polyalkylene glycol (PAG) lubricant had been selected for the application but failed to meet the challenging requirements.

The competitor’s lubricant performed well at temperatures as low as -30°C, but the braking system exhibited reduced output pressure compared to the lubricant’s performance at ambient temperature. According to the manufacturer, energy loss in lithium-ion batteries is a major concern, especially in winter.

The solution

The MOLYKOTE® specialized lubricants team collaborated with Bethel’s EHB system project manager to understand the project’s technical requirements and recommend a solution. The lubricant needed to endure millions of charge cycles at service temperatures ranging from -40°C to +120°C. MOLYKOTE® laboratory tests showed that a specific lubricant – MOLYKOTE® G-5025 Grease – was compatible with various rubber/elastomer substrates (e.g., EPDM) and plastics, indicating that the team would meet the reliable protection required by the application.

Comparisons in the DuPont laboratory demonstrated that MOLYKOTE® G-5025 Grease could provide much lower torque than the competitor’s product at extremely low temperatures, prompting the manufacturer to try it in a road test. When put to the test, MOLYKOTE® grease reduced the pressure gap, meeting the manufacturer’s expectations.

The EHB system’s output pressure was more stable with MOLYKOTE® G-5025 Grease than with the competitor’s product, helping the braking system operate safely and reducing energy consumption – especially in cold weather – by reducing starting and operating torque, as shown in the table below. After a clear demonstration of the operational efficiency of the specialized MOLYKOTE® lubricant, MOLYKOTE® G-5025 Grease was successfully specified.

Reliable Lubrication Compatible with Plastics and Low-Temperature Performance

MOLYKOTE® G-5025 Grease was developed for lubricating disengaging clutches in starters but has proven to be a high-performance lubricant over a wide temperature range – not only in starters but in other automotive applications with high durability requirements. It exhibits good anti-wear properties and offers oxidation and moisture resistance that can extend component life.

In addition to the specific customer application presented in this case study, MOLYKOTE® G-5025 Grease has also been specified for similar applications by other key market players.

Source : dupont.com