2026 NLGI Annual Meeting Technical Sessions Schedule Tuesday, June 9 ~ Technical Sessions - Day 1 ~ 10:05 AM - 2:40 PM
Jacob Bonta ProFluid, LLC
Jonathan Pham University of Cincinnati
John (Andy) Waynick Retired (NLGI Honorary Member)
Robert Stepan
12:30 PM 1:10 PM 2610 Univar Solutions
John Hardt
Devon McCune
1:15 PM 1:55 PM 2613 Lubrizol
Dr. Gareth Fish
Paul Shiller FirstPower Group LLC
2:00 PM 2:40 PM 2621
Jennifer Vail
Mark Staub
Effects of Hydrogen Bonding On Lubricating Grease Mechanical Properties
Calcium-Magnesium Sulfonate Complex Greases: A Few More Tricks
Expanding the Boundaries of Grease Performance: Thermoplastic Elastomers for Extreme Water, Corrosion, Load, and Temperature Resistance
High Temperature Friction Testing of Lubricating Greases
NLGI Shelf-Life Working Group: Revisited TA Instruments - Waters LLC
TUESDAY, JUNE 9
Effects of Hydrogen Bonding on Lubricating Grease Mechanical Properties
The effect of hydrogen bonding between oil and thickener phases on the mechanical properties of lubricating greases (LGs) is examined. In particular, we study the hydrogen bond donor/receiver relationship between the oil and thickener. Small amplitude oscillatory shear testing is first used to evaluate the viscoelastic moduli in the undisturbed state at varied temperatures. A onehour full rotation shear is then applied to mechanically disrupt the LGs. The storage modulus is then tracked over time under varied temperatures to investigate modulus recovery. Our results show that hydrogen bonding within and between the two phases impacts the mechanical properties in both the undisturbed and post-deformation states. Specifically, significant hydrogen bonding can increase the modulus. Overall, these results show that the interaction of functional groups between the oil and thickener significantly impacts the mechanical properties of the system.
Jacob Bonta has more than 10 years of experience in designing and testing new chemical products for various industrial sectors. Hired by Valvoline in 2018, he leads lubricating grease and industrial fluid research and development in North America and supports grease related operations for Valvoline globally. His graduate research is focused on lubricating grease fundamental material properties. He has multiple patents issued or pending for chemical products with five being specific to lubricating greases. He is a member of SAE, STLE, and NLGI and holds the NLGI CLGS certification.
Jonathan Pham is an associate professor in Chemical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati, leading a group focused on soft materials and interfaces. Prior to Cincinnati, he was an assistant professor at the University of Kentucky. He received a BS in Materials Science and Engineering from The Ohio State University and earned a PhD in Polymer Science and Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he studied nanoparticle assembly and mechanics. During this time, he was a Chateaubriand fellow at ESPCIParisTech working on deformation of microscale helical filaments by microfluidics. Prior to joining Kentucky, he was a Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research working on a range of topics, including cell-surface interactions and liquid-surface interactions.
ABSTRACTS & BIOS
TUESDAY, JUNE 9
Calcium/Magnesium Sulfonate Complex Greases: A Few More Tricks
During the past ten years, a new lubricating grease thickener category has been developed: calcium/magnesium sulfonate complex. Such greases use both overbased calcium and overbased magnesium sulfonates. During the past seven years, various aspects of this new thickener category have been covered by eight U. S. Patents and a much larger number of patents issued in other countries. That makes this new thickener category one of the most patented new developments in lubricating grease chemistry in at least the last 50 years. One reason for this is the fact that calcium/magnesium sulfonate complex greases are not just one thickener type when evaluated by the properties imparted to the overall grease. Additionally, when combined with various recently disclosed novel processing techniques, the amount of interesting and often unique properties of calcium/magnesium sulfonate complex greases can be further expanded. This paper describes and provides an initial evaluation of three such “tricks” that can be used to provide some of those interesting and unique properties.
The first trick allows acceptable open, non-pressurized conversion of the overbased calcium sulfonate without the use of any conventional non-aqueous converting agent. When done under the correct conditions, the overbased magnesium sulfonate acts as the primary non-aqueous converting agent, thereby eliminating the need for any of the previously cited primary non-aqueous converting agents such as glycols, glycol ethers, and low molecular weight alcohols.
The second trick provides a way to control the amount of rheopecticity in certain calcium/magnesium sulfonate complex greases in the same way that a dimmer switch controls the brightness of home lighting. By proper use of this technique, such calcium/ magnesium sulfonate complex greases can exhibit extremely rheopectic rheology, or exhibit rheology typical of all prior art calcium sulfonate complex greases, or exhibit a rheology at any point in between the two.
The third trick provides a way to dramatically increase the amount of the calcium 12-hydroxystearate portion of the overall thickener composition relative to what has been documented in the prior disclosed literature without any significant decrease in dropping point. This technique also dramatically increases thickener yield, lowers overall formulation cost, and can accelerate the initial conversion process.
Andy Waynick received his B.A. in Chemistry in 1974 from Central Methodist College, and his M.S. in Physical Chemistry in 1977 from Purdue University. For the 48 years since then, Andy has been a professional research chemist. Andy has 46 U.S. Patents, numerous patents issued from other countries, and more than 50 published research papers. Andy has received the Clarence E. Earle Memorial Award (twice), the NLGI Fellows Award, the NLGI Author Award for Application, the NLGI Author Award for Development, the NLGI Golden Grease Gun Award, the NLGI Award for Achievement, and the NLGI Honorary Membership Award. Andy was a contributing author of the NLGI Lubricating Grease Guide, 7th Edition. Andy retired from full-time work on October 1, 2022. In December 2022, Andy assumed the responsibilities of Technical Editor for the NLGI Spokesman.
ABSTRACTS & BIOS
TUESDAY, JUNE 9
Expanding the Boundaries of Grease Performance: Thermoplastic Elastomers for Extreme Water, Corrosion, Load, and Temperature Resistance
Greases operating in extreme environments must withstand water exposure, corrosive media, heavy loads, shock, and wide temperature variations without compromising reliability. This study investigates thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) as multifunctional modifiers to enhance thickener networks and extend grease durability across these demanding conditions.
TPE-modified greases are benchmarked against conventional systems using the following evaluations:
• Water & Corrosion Resistance: ASTM D1264 (Water Washout), ASTM D4049 (Water Spray), ASTM D8022 (Roll Stability with Water), ASTM D6138/D5969 (Corrosion, including seawater), ASTM D1263 (Leakage), DIN 51807-1 (Water Resistance)
Results demonstrate that strategic incorporation of TPEs reduces washout, enhances corrosion protection, strengthens mechanical stability, and improves performance under both temperature extremes and heavy loads. Findings are evaluated within the NLGI High-Performance Multiuse (HPM) framework: +WR, +CR, +LT, and +HL.
This work underscores the potential of TPE-based technologies to enable next- generation greases that meet and exceed performance expectations in the harshest operating environments.
Robert Stepan is an Application Development Specialist in the Lubricants & Metalworking Fluids Focused Industry for Univar Solutions. Rob has more than 30 years of experience in R&D leadership positions in developing novel base oils to formulating the first “green” engine oil. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Polymer Chemistry/Biochemistry and a Master of Science in Polymer Chemistry from the University of Akron and an M.B.A. from Cleveland State.
John Hardt is an Application Development Specialist in the Lubricants & Metalworking Fluids Focused Industry for Univar Solutions. John has nearly 30 years of experience in the industry with both technical and commercial roles. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Individual Psychology Studies from the United States Military Academy, West Point, Class of 1987.
ABSTRACTS & BIOS
TUESDAY, JUNE 9
High Temperature Friction Testing of Lubricating Greases
Over the last 30 years industrial machinery and components on automobiles have undergone significant downsizing. Industrial electric motor frames and associated gearboxes have significantly smaller footprints. The same amount of energy is transferred through a much lower mass of materials. The rolling element bearings in electric motors are also much smaller. It is a similar story with automotive components. The desire for automotive fuel economy has resulted in smaller components transmitting the same or in many cases increased power. Electrification of new passenger cars and light trucks has resulted in an increase in mass caused by batteries and electric motors. This mass increase has resulted in higher loading on wheel bearings, transmission joints and steering system vehicles that need to be supported without loss of durability. This increased power density has resulted in components and systems running hotter.
In order to screen for these higher contact loadings and temperatures, increased severity test methods are needed. When first approved in 1998, the ASTM D5707 test ran at a load of 200 N (2.7 GPa contact stress) and had standardized temperatures of 50 °C and 80 °C. the latest (2023) edition also has 120 °C as a standardized temperature. These standardized methods are used to establish the friction behavior under moderate conditions. By extrapolating from these temperatures, a sense of how grease behaves under more extreme heat can be gathered.
This paper will outline exploring higher temperature SRV testing and how different thickener systems and additives behave under these more severe conditions.
Devon McCune has a BS degree in Biomolecular Engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He’s been in the grease industry for 5 years. His grease career began at Chemtool 2020 where he worked as a research and development chemist before joining the grease team at the Lubrizol Corporation in 2021 as a research and development chemist with a focus on grease additives and thickener technology. He is a NLGI Certified Lubricating Grease Specialist (CLGS) and multiple award-winning author of several grease technical papers.
Dr Gareth Fish is a Senior Technical Fellow at Lubrizol, Wickliffe, Ohio. He holds a BSc(Hons) in Chemistry and a PhD in Tribology from Imperial College, London. He has more than 36 years grease industry experience. He is an internationally recognized, multiple (x21) award-winning author of 99 technical papers including 19 ELGI papers. He has taught more than 100 public classes on tribology and lubricating greases. A member of the NLGI Board of Directors and chair of the NLGI Basic Grease Course. He was 2020 recipient of the NLGI Award for Achievement. He is an NLGI Certified Lubricating Grease Specialist (CLGS), a Chartered Scientist, STLE Fellow and Certified Lubrication Specialist (CLS). He is active within ASTM and SAE. Previously worked at UK Ministry of Defence and GKN Automotive in UK and USA.
ABSTRACTS & BIOS
TUESDAY, JUNE 9
NLGI Shelf-Life Working Group: Revisited
During the late 1990s, NLGI members formed a working group to determine the shelf life of grease in response to litigation involving old grease. The approach they used involved accelerated thermal aging of grease samples to equate shelf life with oxidation life. The working group reached a consensus and established five years as the recommended shelf life for grease. Two greases played a key role in the investigation: MobilGrease 28 and Aeroshell 33. Now, nearly thirty years after the manufacturing of these greases, an opportunity has arisen to analyze the naturally aged samples. Analyzing these naturally aged greases allows a comparison of their infrared, thermal, and rheological properties with those of new grease samples. While the formulations may have changed, the original test data from the time of manufacture have been lost and are no longer available. New grease samples will be aged under various times and temperatures, and the results will help calibrate aging conditions to match those of naturally aged samples. Results indicate that changes in the rheological properties of the greases may be a more reliable indicator of aging effects than oxidation measured by ASTM D7414.
Dr. Paul Shiller is Director of Technology at FirstPower Group, LLC, where he leads development and maintenance of specialty lubricants for industrial applications. He brings over four decades of experience in physical chemistry, tribology, and lubrication science, including senior roles at The Timken Company, Delphi Corporation, and the University of Akron.
Dr. Shiller earned his PhD in Physical Chemistry from Case Western Reserve University, where he investigated reaction mechanisms on metal surfaces using molecular orbital theory. He also holds advanced degrees in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and has received specialized training from UCLA’s Professional Program, contributing to science communication efforts and from MIT in no-code AI/ML.
An active researcher and educator, Dr. Shiller has published extensively on lubrication chemistry, grease thickener assembly, and tribological coatings, including contributions to ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Tribology International, and the Journal of Applied Physics. He has also authored book chapters in the ASM Handbook and the NLGI Grease Guide, and holds multiple patents related to lubricant technology.
In parallel with his industrial and academic work, Dr. Shiller serves on several ASTM and STLE committees and has developed training courses for the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers and the National Lubricating Grease Institute.
Dr. Jennifer Vail is the Senior Manager of Global Applications Support at TA Instruments. She earned her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida, where she specialized in polymer tribology. Following graduation, she worked as a researcher for the Leonardo Center for Tribology at the University of Sheffield and the Tribology Group at Imperial College London. Jennifer established the first dedicated R&D tribology lab at DuPont. After seven years of running the lab, she joined TA Instruments to lead a team of thermal analysts and rheologists.
Jennifer is also a TED speaker, bringing tribology to a wide range of audiences. She is the author of Friction: A Biography (2026), a popular science nonfiction book that explores how friction has impacted and will continue to influence humanity and our technological evolution.
Mark Staub, PhD is currently a Senior Applications Specialist in the Global Applications group at TA Instruments –Waters LLC. Dr. Staub received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry at Gettysburg College and subsequently earned his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering (Polymer Science focus) at Drexel University.
He has published over twenty peer-reviewed articles and application notes with focuses on polymer characterization, rheology, mechanical analysis and thermal analysis. In his role at TA Instruments, Mark is responsible for investigating applications in emerging markets, developing new rheological and mechanical test methods, and delivering Theory and Applications courses. His most recent work has focused on polymers in recycled, thermal interface materials, and biomedical applications.
10:00 AM 10:40 AM 2622
10:45 AM 11:25 AM 2611
11:30 AM 12:30 PM Networking Lunch
Dwaine (Greg) Morris
Pelle Porsgaard
Hiroshi Shimizu
Tsubasa Yorizumi
Noriyuki Kasahara
Tomonobu Komoriya
Wednesday, June 10 ~ Technical Sessions Day 2 ~ 10:00 AM - 4:55 PM
Shell Global Solutions
Practical Implications of Grease Selection for Paper Machines in a Changing Operating Environment
KYODO YUSHI CO., LTD.
12:30 PM 1:10 PM 2602 Lijesh Koottaparambil LSU
Dr. Jennifer Clark
Dr. Gareth Fish
1:15 PM 1:55 PM 2612 Lubrizol
Maria Shepherd
Francesc Alomar Belmonte
Kazumi Sakai
Rui Ogata
Tomohito Horio
2:00 PM 2:40 PM 2608
Yuta Tanaka
Takashi Sano
Yoichiro Kawami
Hiroki Iriguchi
2:45 PM 3:25 PM 2623
3:30 PM 4:10 PM 2618
ENEOS Corporation
Development of Self-Extinguishing Grease for Safe Operation in Steelmaking Plants
2024 Research Grant Report - Practical Insights Into the Nature of Grease Degradation and Estimation of Remaining Useful Life
Lubricating Grease in the Hot Seat: Formulating Under Regulatory Scrutiny
4:15 PM 4:55 PM 2616
ENEOS Holdings, Inc.
Data-Driven Crystal Structure Estimation and Stress-Strain Simulation for Urea Grease Thickeners
Chad Chichester DuPont-Molykote Specialty Lubricants A Primer on Grease Electrical Property Characterization
Optimizing Grease Performance Through Strategic Polymer Selection
ABSTRACTS & BIOS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
Practical Implications of Grease Selection for Paper Machines in a Changing Operating Environment
While the fundamental principles of paper, pulp and board manufacturing remain largely unchanged, the industry has seen an evolution regarding speeds, temperatures, production capacity and corrosivity of whitewater. In parallel, lubricating grease technologies have evolved from a limited range of universal or multi-purpose technologies to specialized technologies to meet increasingly severe application requirements. Despite the development of new grease technologies and modifications in paper machines, the industry faces persistent reliability challenges rooted in the evolving operating conditions and ambitious performance expectations of legacy grease technologies. In the mid-1980’s, the use of legacy grease technologies resulted in operational losses. Bearing and paper machine original equipment manufacturers responded by publishing requisite specifications on paper machine grease performance properties and mitigating greasing procedures. However, the paper industry lags in the adoption of new grease technologies and the execution of essential greasing procedures.
Workforce changes and out-sourcing have led to a loss of institutional knowledge. As experienced personnel retire or transition, effective critical lubrication practices are at risk of being forgotten or ignored. This erosion of expertise directly impacts reliability and cost of operation.
This paper explores the intersection of grease selection and paper machine reliability. It examines how foundational lubrication specifications (including the NLGI HPM specification) remain essential in today’s evolving production landscape. Practical guidance will be offered on defining required grease performance properties and understanding product limitations and implementing best practices to enhance equipment reliability and production outcomes.
Greg Morris is a Chemist (BS West Virginia University) with over 30 years of industry experience both in the laboratory and in field technical sales and support. Since joining Shell in 1998, he has held multiple roles across the lubricants manufacturing, business, and R&D spectrum including Plant Formulations Chemist, Field Sales, Field Engineering Services, Projects and Technology, and related team lead positions. Currently he serves as the managing lead for the Americas Product Application Specialists, a team of twelve that cover all sectors and product families in the region for Shell. This high-performance team of professionals link Shell’s customers to the Product Technology development team intended to deliver innovative solutions to complex challenges. He has served on the NLGI Board of Directors for 13 years, been an active member of the working group for HPM specification as well as Sustainability and has also chaired multiple committees. He has also served as the research grant liaison for multiple projects. He is a routine contributor and author during the annual meeting Technical Sessions.
Pelle Porsgaard was born in Gothenburg, Sweden and holds a BSc. in Chemical Engineering from Ascheberg. He did an internship at Volvo Car R&D Laboratory, conducting a study on thermal degradation of wheel hub bearing greases subject to artificial aging, after which he accepted a position as Laboratory Engineer at grease manufacturer AXEL Christiernsson in 1986 and from 1988 and onward as Product Technician. In his role as Product Technician, he managed technical relationships with OEM’s and key industrial development partners. He developed and formulated products, developed lithium-calcium complex grease thickener technology, managed technical documentation and provided grease application engineering sales support.
Pelle joined Shell in 1998 as Grease Business Development Mgr. for the Nordic countries and later to include UK and Ireland. He served as a member of Shell’s Technical Support Expert Team from 2000 – 2006. In 2006 he accepted the position as Grease Business Development Mgr. for Shell Lubricants US. He served as Grease Technical Expert for US and Canada from 2018 to 2022, after which he accepted the position as Americas Grease Product Application Specialist Heavy Industry.
ABSTRACTS & BIOS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
Development of Self-Extinguishing Grease for Safe Operation in Steelmaking Plants
Bearings used in rolling mills that process steel at around 1000 °C are exposed to extremely severe operating conditions, including heat transfer from hot steel, high loads from the material weight, and water intrusion during cooling. To ensure continuous lubrication, grease is supplied to the bearings by a centralized lubrication system, which pushes out the used grease. The expelled grease accumulates beneath the equipment, where it can ignite when hot steel fragments drop onto it, often leading to fires and significant damage.
Recently, greases for such applications are increasingly required to exhibit flame-propagation prevention properties—meaning that even if ignition occurs, the flame should quickly self-extinguish without spreading.
In this study, a laboratory-scale evaluation method was established to assess the flame-propagation prevention performance of greases. The combustion mechanism of grease was analyzed, and suitable base oils, thickeners, and additives were selected to improve non-flammability. As a result, a new grease was developed that shows remarkably enhanced flame-propagation prevention performance compared with conventional products. This newly developed grease is expected to significantly reduce fire risks in rolling mill operations while maintaining essential lubrication performance.
Hiroshi Shimizu graduated from the Department of Applied Molecular Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, Nihon University, in March 2016, and joined Kyodo Yushi Co., Ltd. in April of the same year. He was assigned to the Metalworking Oil Department, where he was engaged mainly in the development of metal cutting fluids. In October 2019, he was transferred to the Production Engineering Department, where he worked on improving the production efficiency of greases and metalworking fluids. Since April 2022, he has been a member of the Bearing and Plastic Working Group, Grease Technology Department, responsible for the development of greases for steelmaking equipment. His work covers a wide range of product development, from general-purpose greases to non-flammable greases.
Tsubasa Yorizumi graduated from the Department of Life Chemistry, School of Engineering, Tokai University, in March 2019, and joined Kyodo Yushi Co., Ltd. in April of the same year. He was initially assigned to the Process Management Department, where he engaged in troubleshooting defective products occurring in manufacturing processes.
In April 2021, he was transferred to the Quality Control Department, focusing on product trend management and chemical analysis. In October 2022, he joined the Metalworking Fluids Technology Department, where he worked mainly on the development of water-soluble cutting fluids. Since April 2025, he has been a member of the Bearing and Plastic Working Group of the Grease Technology Department, primarily involved in the development of greases and rolling oils for steelmaking equipment.
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ABSTRACTS & BIOS
Tomonobu Komoriya graduated from the Graduate School of Engineering and Resource Science, Akita University, in March 2007, and joined Kyodo Yushi Co., Ltd. in April of the same year. He was initially assigned to the Research Department, where he conducted studies on the thick film formation of grease under elastohydrodynamic lubrication at low speeds and on the lubrication life of grease-lubricated ball bearings. In March 2011, he was transferred to the Bearing Group of the Grease Technology Department, focusing mainly on the development of greases for automotive electrical component bearings. In April 2017, he joined the Drive Group of the same department, where he worked on greases for automotive drive components such as constant velocity joints (CVJs) and propeller shafts. In April 2018, he was transferred to the Fundamental Technology Group of the Research Department, engaging in the development of next-generation grease technologies and new research areas beyond greases. Since April 2025, he has been a member of the Bearing and Plastic Working Group of the Grease Technology Department, mainly involved in the product development of greases and rolling oils for steelmaking equipment.
Noriyuki Kasahara graduated from Toyo University with a major in Chemical Engineering. Joined Kyodo Yushi Co., Ltd. in 2006. He has worked in the Research Department, Grease Technology Department, and Metalworking Fluid Technology Department, engaging in basic studies on grease, new product development, and market support. In October 2015, he was reassigned to the Grease Technology Department, where he has since been involved in the development and analysis of greases for industrial equipment, including large bearings. His current research focuses on improving flame resistance and water resistance of greases used in steelmaking plants.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
Practical Insights Into the Nature of Grease Degradation and Estimation of Remaining Useful Life
A systematic approach is proposed to gain insight into the nature of grease degradation in terms of the changes in the key physical properties and methodologies for determining the remaining useful life (RUL). A fundamental understanding of these complex features and attributes is vital to grease manufacturers, designers, and end users. The proposed research involves extensive laboratory testing of greases with different NLGI grades to measure pertinent properties, e.g., consistency, and assessment of properties changes as grease degrades as a function of mechanical shearing action and elevated temperature. The data obtained will be used to develop a systematic procedure for estimating the remaining useful life of grease. The efficacy of the formulation will be assessed by examining aged grease extracted from roller-element bearings in the field.
Dr. Khonsari holds the position of Dow Chemical Endowed Chair in Rotating Machinery and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Louisiana State University. He has previously held faculty positions at The Ohio State University, University of Pittsburgh, Southern Illinois University and faculty research fellowships at NASA, DOE, and Wright-Patterson Air Force Laboratories. Dr. Khonsari’s research expertise is in the area of tribology— science of friction, lubrication, and wear—and mechanical fatigue. Dr. Khonsari serves on the editorial boards of 10 technical international journals. He is the holder of 11 US patents, authored 5 books, and published over 400 archival papers and book chapters. He is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Society of Tribologist and Lubrication Engineers (STLE), the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).
ABSTRACTS & BIOS
TUESDAY, JUNE 9
Lubricating Grease in the Hot Seat: Formulating Under Regulatory Scrutiny
Grease formulators and manufacturers are constantly facing regulatory changes; eliminating key components that are fundamental to lubricants. In 2021, the European Union proposed its intentions to restrict per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) due to their persistence in the environment and in the human body. In 2023, the EPA and Canada have also imposed rules for reporting the presence of PFAS. Regulatory actions targeting PFA chemistries are continuing to evolve as countries seek to implement actions from the Stokholm Convention. The European Union will likely finalize restrictions on the use of PFAS in 2027 at the earliest making PFAS chemicals authorized by 2029.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is component used in grease formulating due to its low friction properties. When formulated into a finished industrial grease, PTFE can reduce friction and wear and improve load-carrying capacity. In automotive greases PTFE can provide high-pressure and temperature lubricity, enhances bearing and gear protection and act as a thickening agent. Unfortunately, PFAS are a known impurity present in most PTFE sources making them a target for increased regulatory scrutiny. To comply with regulatory changes, Lubrizol has identified a microcrystalline wax mixture that provides similar performance attributes as PTFE. This paper will highlight the low-friction, reduced wear and load carrying capabilities that this new wax mixture provides when used in different grease thickener types. This paper will also investigate the differences in thermal stability that this wax mixture provides in comparison to PTFE chemistry.
Dr. Jennifer Clark is a Technology Development Manager for Industrial Grease Additives at The Lubrizol Corporation. She holds a Ph.D. in Organic/Organometallic chemistry from the State University of New York –Buffalo. She has 4 years in the grease industry focusing on Open Gear Lubricant Technology, overbased calcium sulfonates and new alternatives to lithium greases. Previous to becoming a Technology Development Manager for Industrial Grease, Jennifer spent seven years in Metalworking with a focus on new rust preventive technology.
Dr Gareth Fish is a Senior Technical Fellow at Lubrizol, Wickliffe, Ohio. He holds a BSc(Hons) in Chemistry and a PhD in Tribology from Imperial College, London. He has more than 36 years grease industry experience. He is an internationally recognized, multiple (x21) award-winning author of 99 technical papers including 19 ELGI papers. He has taught more than 100 public classes on tribology and lubricating greases. A member of the NLGI Board of Directors and chair of the NLGI Basic Grease Course. He was 2020 recipient of the NLGI Award for Achievement. He is an NLGI Certified Lubricating Grease Specialist (CLGS), a Chartered Scientist, STLE Fellow and Certified Lubrication Specialist (CLS). He is active within ASTM and SAE. Previously worked at UK Ministry of Defence and GKN Automotive in UK and USA.
Maria Shepherd has BS degree in Health Sciences from Cleveland State University. She has been a research and development chemist at Lubrizol for 4 years. Prior to joining Lubrizol, she worked at Sherwin Williams as an automotive toner development chemist for six years. She has extensive experience evaluating rust preventives, greases, and emulsions for real world durability.
Francesc Alomar Belmonte, BS
Francesc (Cesc) Alomar joined Lubrizol in 2000 as Account Manager for MW customers around Europe and Middle East. In 2006 he was given responsibilities in selling and promotion of all Lubrizol Additives portfolio to his accounts, including all industrial additives plus engine oils, driveline, etc. In 2012 he was given responsibilities as Product Manager of Grease additives in Zone 2 (Europe, Africa, CIS and Middle East). Cesc holds a BSc in Chemistry (specializing in Materials Science) for the Barcelona University. Prior to Lubrizol, Cesc worked in the water treatment area in the technical department of a company now part of General Electric Water and right after that he expended close to seven years as Metalworking Product Manager and European Corrosion Protectives and Cleaners Product Manager at QUAKER CHEMICAL. In 2018 he was given the position of Product Manager for Metalworking additives as well. In 2023 he changed to be 100% dedicated to Grease Additives Product Manager.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
Data-Driven Crystal Structure Estimation and Stress-Strain Simulation for Urea Grease Thickeners
To advance the performance of diurea grease thickeners, this study integrates molecular crystal structure prediction with mechanical property analysis, utilizing both experimental and computational approaches. Initially, we developed a data assimilation technique that combines powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) measurements with molecular simulations to estimate the crystal structures of diurea grease thickeners. By employing known structures of similar molecules as initial models, generating and screening numerous candidates, and evaluating their consistency with experimental PXRD data, we successfully identified reasonable crystal structures for alicyclic diurea and aliphatic diurea.
Building on these structural insights, we applied a neural network potential to perform large-scale molecular dynamics simulations, enabling stress-strain analysis of the predicted crystal models. The simulations revealed that the direction of molecular stacking via hydrogen bonds exhibited the highest yield stress, with a marked decrease in hydrogen bond count observed near 12% strain—corresponding to a reduction in rigidity and the onset of structural failure. This approach elucidated the molecular-level mechanisms underlying fiber fracture in diurea grease thickeners.
By integrating experimental data and advanced simulation techniques, this work clarifies the relationship between molecular crystal structure and mechanical properties, providing a foundation for the rational design of high-performance grease thickeners.
Rui Ogata has worked for ENEOS Corporation, Japan. He is currently a Chief Staff member in the Grease R&D Group, Lubricants R&D Department, primarily engaged in the development of greases for automotive applications. He is also responsible for conducting research on grease lubrication and for advancing materials development through the application of materials informatics. He received a master ’s degree in applied chemistry from University of Tokyo in Japan in 2020.
ABSTRACTS & BIOS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
Calcium Sulfonate...All about the Base
Simple calcium sulfonate (CAS) greases were formulated using three overbased calcium sulfonate detergents, each characterized by a different Total Base Number (TBN). The preparation of these greases required tailored processing conditions, including variations in the water-to-converter ratio and mixing conditions, to accommodate the unique properties of each detergent. The resulting greases were characterized through rheological analysis, dropping point measurements, and cone penetration testing. Notably, the level of hydration was found to have significant impact on these properties. Following milling, the greases performance characteristics were further evaluated through testing that included wear, roll and shear stability, oxidative stability, water washout resistance, and oil separation. Comparative analysis highlights the impact of detergent TBN and processing parameters on the overall performance profile of the CAS greases.
Darryl Williams has studied numerous topics related to boundary lubrication, friction, and wear in more than 10 years at Afton Chemical and nearly 30 years as a synthetic and physical chemist and tribologist. His interests include chemical mechanisms driving lubricant performance and wear prevention, designing molecules for lubricant applications, and developing tribological testing strategies for lubricants. Darryl has a BS in chemistry from the University of Delaware and a Ph D in Inorganic Chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Zahra Abbasian holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and is an expert in the phase behavior of complex materials, including emulsions, gels, and suspensions. With extensive experience in rheology and colloidal science, Zahra has contributed to understanding interactions and transitions in complex fluid systems. Her work focuses on optimizing the stability and properties of multi-phase systems, crucial for developing advanced lubricants and greases. With a deep knowledge of thermodynamics, Zahra drives innovation in formulations to enhance performance in demanding applications.
Brandi Ford is an Industrial Customer Technical Service (CTS) Technologist at Afton Chemical Corporation in Richmond, VA. With 6 years of experience in the lubricant industry – focused on Industrial additives, she applies her meticulous attention to detail, dedication to problem-solving, and technical expertise to provide a profound commitment to customer satisfaction. In her role, she ensures that customers receive exceptional service and support, providing innovative solutions tailored to their specific needs. Brandi holds a BS in chemistry from Virginia State University
ABSTRACTS & BIOS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
Nanoparticles, Gel-Greases and Sustainable High-Temperature Formulations: Toward Resilient, Low-Emission Greases for Industrial Extremes
Industrial machinery operating at elevated temperatures, heavy contact pressures, or chemically aggressive atmospheres requires greases that resist shear thinning, oxidation and loss-of-film. This review surveys contemporary routes to high-temperature, low-emission greases: inorganic nanoparticle additives (including MoS₂ quantum dots, ceramic and hybrid nanoparticles), novel gel-grease paradigms (organogel and polyurea gels), and the parallel rise of bio-based base oils and additives intended to reduce environmental footprint. We synthesize performance claims from tribological studies with chemical-aging and rheological characterization, highlighting how nanoparticle morphology, surface chemistry and concentration alter both friction and thickener network integrity. The review assesses lifecycle tradeoffs — thermal endurance versus biodegradability and emissions — and outlines formulation best practices (e.g., particle functionalization, antioxidant selection, thickener-base oil matching) that maximize high-T stability while minimizing bleed and volatility. We finish with a critical evaluation of scaling challenges and propose an accelerated aging + real-contact test matrix to predict field lifetime for the newest gel and nanoparticle-enhanced greases.
Dr. George S. Dodos
PhD degree in Chemical Engineering and Diploma in Chemical Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens in Greece.
Technical director at ELDON’S S.A., a lubricants manufacturer in Greece.
Adjunct Professor at UNIWA and ASPETE (Greece) teaching Fuels & Lubricants Technology, Applied Thermodynamics, Modern Vehicle Technology, Engineering Statistics and Measurements. Research Associate in the Laboratory of Fuels and Lubricants Technology in the National Technical University of Athens, Greece.
Instructor in the NLGI HO Training Course (2019,2022,2024).
More than 100 publications in international peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings on topics related to several aspects of conventional and biobased lubricants and fuels.
Recipient of the ELGI AGM Best Paper Award three times (2014, 2016, 2019), the NLGI Author Award/Application (2017), the CLGI Best Paper Award (2021), the NLGI-IC Award (2025).
Chairman of the ELGI Test Method Working Group and past-chair of the joint ELGI/NLGI Biobased Greases Working Group. Chairman of the End-of-Life Task Force 5 in the ELGI Sustainability Technical Committee. Session Organizer in the SAE Fuels and Lubricants Committee and the SAE Sustainable Mobility Committee.
Affiliated to several international organizations including STLE, ASTM, SAE, ACS and IBBS.
Dr. Raj Shah is currently a Director at Koehler Instrument Company, NY and previously served on the board of directors of NLGI for 15 years. He received a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Penn State University, and a Fellow from The Chartered Management Institute, London, Dr. Shah is also an Adjunct professor in the Dept of Material Science and Chemical engineering at State University of New York, Stony Brook. He is an elected fellow by his peers at, NLGI, STLE, Energy Institute IChemE, INSTMC, AIC, CMI, Royal Society of Chemistry and is a Chartered Petroleum Engineer with over 25 years’ experience in the petroleum / Petrochemical industry.
A recipient of the John Bellanti Meritorious Award from NLGI, Dr. Shah has over 300 publications and recently coedited, a reference bestseller titled “Fuels and lubricants Handbook”, published by ASTM. Recently Dr. Shah was honored with an esteemed engineer designation by Tau Beta Pi, the highest engineering honor society in USA.
ABSTRACTS & BIOS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
Optimizing Grease Performance Through Strategic Polymer Selection
Lubrication in modern machinery has become increasingly demanding due to harsher operating conditions involving higher loads, elevated temperatures, and water ingress. As the power-to-size ratio of equipment continues to rise, these factors pose significant challenges for grease performance and reliability. To address this, optimized additive formulations with synergistic interactions are essential to ensure maximum equipment availability.
A systematic study has been undertaken in the authors’ laboratory to develop a database of synergistic additive combinations and reduce the development cycle for new greases. The investigation focuses on the effect of various polymer chemistries— OCP, grafted OCP, PIB, and PMA—evaluated individually and in combination across Lithium, Lithium Complex, and Non-Lithium greases. Polymer additives were found to enhance shear stability, water resistance, and tackiness, thereby improving retention and sealing against contaminants. However, excessive polymer addition may negatively affect low-temperature flow and pumpability.
The findings of this study clearly establish that a systematic strategy for selecting polymer type, dosage, and proportion is essential to achieve the desired balance of properties in grease formulations, offering a practical framework for grease formulators.
References
1. Willett, Eric, “Overcoming obstacles in water resistant H1 specialty grease using polymer”, NLGI Spokesman, Vol 85, Number 6, Jan/Feb 2022, pp 8-27.
2. Nagarkoti, B. Water resistance property of greases—An outlook. In Proceedings of the NLGI-India 12th Lubricating Grease Conference, Panaji, India, 28–30 January 2010.
3. R. Czarny, M. Paszkowski, J. Synth. Lubr. 24 (2007) 19–29.
4. Scharf, C. R., and George, H. F., “The enhancement of grease structure through the use of Functionalized Polymer Systems,” NLGI Spokesman, 1996, 59 (11), 4 – 16.
Mr. Rohit Kumar Agarwal has worked for more than 28 years in Grease Industry. He has spent major part of his career with Balmer Lawrie & Company Limited who are one of the leading manufacturers of greases in India . Shri. Agarwal has worked in various capacities at Balmer Lawrie & Company Limited including Head of R&D , Head of Supply Chain Management as well as Head of Operations.
He is author of several papers presented in NLGI – IC chapters in 2006 , 2010 , 2013 and 2022 as well as author of paper presented at NLGI- USA in 2014.
He has also presented papers in Mining conferences and OTA conferences at IICT Hyderabad. He is credited with development of several low temperature greases for defense applications, biodegradable greases , biodegradable sugar mill compound , steel industry high temperature greases and lubricants as well as long life greases for automotive applications.
Shri. Agarwal has done his B.Tech in Oil Technology from HBTI Kanpur in 1995 and is currently working as Chief Technology officer at Siddarth Grease & Lubes Pvt. Ltd. Gurugram India.
Ripudaman Singh Negi is a Senior Engineer in the R&D department, Siddharth Grease & Lube Pvt. Ltd. specializing in the development of innovative and eco-friendly greases as well as multifunctional additives to address complex lubrication challenges.
He holds Ph.D. in Engineering Science from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-IIP), along with M. Tech in in Production Engineering and B. Tech in Mechanical Engineering. His innovative work has been recognized with the Best Paper Award at the 2022 Indian Analytical Congress.
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Dr. Deepak Saxena is the Chief Technology Officer (Lubes) at Siddharth Grease & Lubes Pvt. Limited, a leading private-label manufacturer of greases and lubricants, with production facilities strategically located in India and Dubai. He also serves as Senior Vice President of NLGI-IC.
Prior to this, Dr. Saxena retired as Executive Director (Lube Technology) from the R&D Centre of Indian Oil Corporation Limited, a Fortune 500 company, after more than 34 years of distinguished service.
A Ph.D. in Chemistry from IIT Roorkee (formerly University of Roorkee), Dr. Saxena brings over three decades of expertise in the downstream hydrocarbons sector, with specialization in lubricant technology, greases, fuels, additives, and pipeline research. He has played a pivotal role in developing fuel- and energy-efficient automotive and industrial oils / greases, as well as high-octane/ cetane, fuel-efficient gasoline and diesel fuels.
Dr. Saxena has authored over 77 research publications in national and international journals and holds multiple granted patents. He has also served as a nominee Director on the boards of AVI OIL and Lubrizol India, and has been actively involved with scientific societies including SAE, NLGI-IC, ISFL, and the Tribology Society of India.
Mr Sudhir Sachdeva did his Mechanical Engineering from Delhi College of Engineering in 1972. He joined his family business of lubricants marketing soon after his college. His entrepreneurial prowess driven him to venture into grease making in 1988 establishing Siddharth Petroproducts. Subsequently the company was rechristened to Siddharth Grease & Lubes Pvt Ltd with two grease plants in Delhi. Third generation of Sachdeva’s entered into grease making by establishing a state of the art lubricants company Trinity Lubes & Greases FZC in UAE in 2018.
He has been involved with NLGI India Chapter activities right from its inception and currently he is President of the NLGI-India Chapter since 2023. He received the Life-Time Achievement Award from NLGI India Chapter in 2015 and Golden Grease Gun award in 90th Annual Meeting of NLGI, USA for his contribution to the grease industry.
Siddharth Sachdeva
After gaining his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in CS Engineering from Warwick University, UK, Siddharth Sachdeva then went and gained his MBA from IIM in Bangalore, India. Further, he pursued a strategic marketing programme from the University of Michigan, US. Using his education experience, Siddharth drove the technology changes within the family business and focused on corporate culture within the group upgrading the same to the level of being one of the great lubricant and grease companies worldwide. The group is known for its dedication and attention to detail which has brought the world’s greatest brands to their doors and they can boost customers such as Castrol, Shell, Mobil, Valvoline, Fuchs, Indian Oil, as well as Timken and SKF to name but a few.
With four plants in India the family looked to expand abroad and under Siddharth’s leadership the group built and commissioned their new pant in the UAE, a technological state-of-the-art lubricant and grease plant on the Inner harbour of the Hamriyah Free Zone. This is the first of its kind in the region, being a fully automated, PLC controlled grease and lubricant plant run on ABB technology. Siddharth is married with two children and his wife Bhavika, plays a prominent and important role in the company next to Siddharth.
Being a natural sportsman, playing cricket, tennis and golf, he brings these competitive talents to the business to drive it forward. He has become the “Face“ of the group, often invited to give keynote speeches at industry events. He is a great ambassador for the industry and the family business, making sure that it stays true to their credo of being the finest private label Grease and Lubricant manufacturer worldwide.
Thursday, June 11 ~ Technical Sessions Day 3 ~ 10:30 AM - 4:55 PM
10:30 AM 11:10 AM 2607 Erik Willett Functional Products Inc. The PTFE Transition Isn't Frictionless: Exploring Extreme Polymers to Fill the Gap
11:15 AM 11:55 AM 2615
11:30 AM 1:00 PM Networking Lunch
John (Andy) Waynick Retired (NLGI Honorary Member) Calcium/Magnesium Sulfonate Complex Greases in Retrospect: Observation(s), Lesson, Application
1:15 PM 1:55 PM 2601 Best India Paper
2:00 PM
2:40 PM 2614 Quaker Houghton Grease Development and Material Analysis Using the Extended Stribeck Curve
2:45 PM 3:25 PM 2604
Benjamin Leonard Brian Kusak
Agustin Perez
Joe Sexton
John Kay
James Sampson
3:30 PM 4:10 PM 2617
STRATCO, Inc. The Preparation Of Polyurea Greases From Preformed Thickeners In the STRATCO® Contactor™ Reactor
Low-Temperature Tribology as an Efficient Tool to Assess the Cold-Condition Performance of Lubricating Greases
4:15 PM 4:55 PM 2619 Sachin Kumbhar Stribeck Addichem Intermolecular Attractions in Grease Thickener Molecules and Their Influence on Synthesis Pathways
THURSDAY, JUNE 11
The PTFE Transition Isn’t Frictionless: Exploring Extreme Polymers to Fill the Gap
Poly(tetrafluoroethylene), or PTFE, has fallen into the PFAS regulations that have expanded from fluorinated surfactants to all CF₂ and CF₃ containing materials. PTFE has truly unique properties across many industries and has been a key component as a solid lubricant additive for greases across the spectrum – from general-purpose industrial use to specialties like food machinery, aerospace, high temperatures, and extremely aggressive chemical environments.
Grease makers are seeking options to replace PTFE and stay ahead of regulations, but few options present the same inertness and lubricity among other key properties. This has launched the search for new technologies akin to the regulatory pressures that prompted chlorinated paraffin replacements years ago.
This study surveys several extreme polymers that have long competed with PTFE in adjacent industries and evaluates their suitability in grease systems. We assess how these candidates measure up in thermal stability, chemical resistance, and lubricity, while also addressing the particular difficulty of identifying NSF HX-1 registered options for food-grade lubricants. Finally, we explore ceramic–polymer composites to meet NSF HX-1 listing, which may offer a practical pathway to balance durability, compliance, and extreme-pressure performance in a PFAS-free future.
Dr. Erik Willett serves as the President of Functional Products Inc., a lubricant additive company specializing in polymer-based technology, located in Northeast Ohio. He holds a Doctorate in Polymer Science from the University of Akron and a Bachelor’s in Chemistry from the University of Connecticut.
His achievements include receiving the prestigious NLGI Fellows Award, PCC Gonsalves Memorial Award, the NLGI Author Award for Development, and the Award for Educational Excellence.
Dr. Willett’s work continues to find cost-effective opportunities for polymeric materials to meet the rising needs of industry and the elevated bar set by the NLGI HPM grease specification.
ABSTRACTS & BIOS
THURSDAY, JUNE 11
Calcium/Magnesium Sulfonate Complex Greases in Retrospect: Observation(s),
Lesson, Application
During the past ten years, a new lubricating grease thickener category has been developed: calcium/magnesium sulfonate complex. Such greases use both overbased calcium and overbased magnesium sulfonates. During the past seven years, various aspects of this new thickener category have been covered by eight U. S. Patents and a much larger number of patents issued in other countries. That makes this new thickener category one of the most patented new developments in lubricating grease chemistry in at least the last 50 years. One reason for this is the fact that calcium/magnesium sulfonate complex greases are not just one thickener type when evaluated by the properties imparted to the overall grease. Additionally, when combined with various recently disclosed novel processing techniques, the amount of interesting and often unique properties of calcium/magnesium sulfonate complex greases can be further expanded. Three previous papers have discussed calcium/magnesium complex greases as their central topic
In this final paper of the series, certain details previously disclosed but not emphasized are examined in retrospect. The pattern by which this is done is to: first, make one or more critical observations; second, uncover a lesson from that observation(s); and third, apply that lesson in a way that advances the chemistry/technology of a previously established lubricating grease type – calcium sulfonate complex (no magnesium)
Two such examples are provided. The first results in a way to apply Reagent-Induced Optimized Dispersion of Thickener (RIODOT rheology) to calcium sulfonate complex greases. The second involves the successful application of a specific alkylene glycol (propylene glycol) as the primary non-aqueous converting agent in non-FG calcium sulfonate complex greases. Previous work has shown this alkylene glycol to not work well when making non-food grade calcium sulfonate complex greases under open conditions. However, an examination of certain previously disclosed details of calcium/magnesium sulfonate complex provides a suggested path to make that alkylene glycol an effective and efficient primary non-aqueous agent for non-food grade calcium sulfonate greases. General information is provided on the resulting effectiveness, and a proposed general chemical mechanism is suggested for why it works.
Andy Waynick received his B.A. in Chemistry in 1974 from Central Methodist College, and his M.S. in Physical Chemistry in 1977 from Purdue University. For the 48 years since then, Andy has been a professional research chemist. Andy has 46 U.S. Patents, numerous patents issued from other countries, and more than 50 published research papers. Andy has received the Clarence E. Earle Memorial Award (twice), the NLGI Fellows Award, the NLGI Author Award for Application, the NLGI Author Award for Development, the NLGI Golden Grease Gun Award, the NLGI Award for Achievement, and the NLGI Honorary Membership Award. Andy was a contributing author of the NLGI Lubricating Grease Guide, 7th Edition. Andy retired from full-time work on October 1, 2022. In December 2022, Andy assumed the responsibilities of Technical Editor for the NLGI Spokesman.
ABSTRACTS & BIOS
THURSDAY, JUNE 11
Grease Development and Material Analysis Using the Extended Stribeck Curve
The Extended Stribeck Curve was originally developed to evaluate the tribological performance of food in an oral environment. In this study the concept is developed and applied to lubricating greases. The Extended Stribeck Curve is measured using a rheometer with a tribology attachment. The sliding contact starts from rest and velocity increases logarithmically as it passes through static friction, boundary lubrication, mixed lubrication, and into elastohydrodynamic lubrication. The Extended Stribeck Curve was used to examine the effect of material, temperature, contact geometry, and load on the lubricating ability of a grease and its base oil. The concept is then applied to evaluate start-up friction in a telescoping joint. The Extended Stribeck Curve was found to be capable of characterizing friction of lubricating greases in sliding contacts. It allows the tribological performance of grease to be evaluated with a rheometer over a wide variety of conditions including very low speeds.
Ben Leonard has been a tribologist at Quaker Houghton for thirteen years. He works in grease research and development, and his primary interest is tribology. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and a Masters and Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University.
Brian Kusak is the Senior Manager of the global grease Center of Innovation for Quaker Houghton. He has been with the company for 27 years. He started as an R&D Chemist 1999 and has been with the company in various technical roles over the years. Brian received a Bachelor ’s degree in Chemistry from The State University of New York, at Potsdam. He is an active member of NLGI serving as vice chair of the food grade working group. He has presented papers at symposiums and served as chair of the ASTM committee responsible for grease tests related to contamination.
Agustin Perez has been a chemist at Quaker Houghton for eleven years. He works in grease research and development. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from North Central College.
ABSTRACTS & BIOS
THURSDAY, JUNE 11
The Preparation Of Polyurea Greases From Preformed Thickeners In the STRATCO® Contactor™ Reactor
Concerns about lithium pricing and availability have led grease manufacturers to explore alternative thickeners for highperformance grease. The adoption of polyurea greases has been hindered by the difficulties in handling hazardous isocyanate and amine starting materials. The emergence of commercial quantities of preformed polyurea thickeners has begun to address this need but their use requires extensive high-shear mixing and homogenization to make a quality grease. This paper shows that the high-shear STRATCO® Contactor™ reactor can be used to efficiently incorporate preformed polyurea thickener in a variety of base stocks.
Joe Sexton, is currently the Engineering Manager for STRATCO, Inc. Joe graduated from Texas A&M University in College Station, TX in 2013 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Joe was previously employed by Worley (previously Jacobs), a major Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) company, as a lead mechanical engineer based in Baton Rouge, LA from 2013 through 2021 with a focus on the Oil & Gas and Chemical industries. Joe joined STRATCO® in 2021 and is based remotely in Mont Belvieu, TX while STRATCO® home office is in Scottsdale, AZ. During Joe’s experience he has engineered a variety of static and rotating equipment while leading the mechanical engineering team, composed of both domestic and foreign team members, to successful projects. He is a Licensed Profession Engineer (TX & LA).
John Kay graduated summa cum laude with a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering in 1979. He was the Principal Design Engineer for a Mechanical Contractor for 17 years before joining STRATCO in 1996. He has been Vice President – Engineering for STRATCO, Inc. for 28+ years. He was an NLGI Board Member for 10 years & is a Licensed Professional Engineer. He has a CLGS certification & has received the NLGI Meritorious Service Award, Fellows Award and Clarence Earle Memorial and several Best Paper awards.
James Sampson is a Senior Mechanical Engineer with STRATCO, Inc. James graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 2015. Prior to joining STRATCO in 2023, James worked in the Water and Wastewater construction industry as a Project Engineer and, before that, as a Patent Engineer at an intellectual property legal services firm. His successes working on engineering projects in the field and in the conceptual stages brought him to STRATCO where James utilizes his abilities to propel successful project outcomes for customers. James is based out of Phoenix, AZ near STRATCO’s home office in Scottsdale, AZ.
Bill Tuszynski has been active in the chemicals and lubricants markets since 1982 and working as a supplier of grease raw materials since 2005, first as a co-owner of Ivanhoe Industries and as an independent agent and consultant since forming The Unami Group in 2016 through his retirement at the end of 2025. He has been an active volunteer for NLGI, serving as editor for the 6th Edition and as co-editor with Raj Shah for the 7th Edition of the NLGI Grease Guide. Together with Andy Waynick, they prepared the Industry Speaker address at the 2023 NLGI Annual Meeting, summarizing the history of grease from 1940 through 2019, following up with a detailed review of the literature in the NLGI Spokesman, which was subsequently published as an e-book. Bill received NLGI’s Clarence E. Earle Memorial award in 20015, 2022, and 2025. He was awarded Honorary Membership in NLGI in 2025. Bill holds a BS in Biochemistry from Manhattan College and a PhD in Physical Organic Chemistry from Cornell University
Chad Stafford is currently the Central States Manager for Van Horn, Metz & Co. Chad graduated from the Maryville University in Town and Country, MO with a B.S. in Marketing in 2014. Before joining the team at Van Horn, Metz & Co., Chad was the Account Manager at Sensient Color – Industrial Division in St. Louis, MO. From 2014-2023 he managed industrial accounts focused on the Agricultural, Coatings, and HI&I markets. Chad joined Van Horn, Metz & Co. in January of 2024 in a remote position based at his home office in St. Louis, MO where the corporate office is in Conshohocken, PA.
ABSTRACTS & BIOS
THURSDAY, JUNE 11
Low-Temperature Tribology as an Efficient Tool to Assess the Cold-Condition Performance of Lubricating Greases
The reliable operation of lubricating greases under low-temperature conditions is of fundamental importance for mechanical systems exposed to cold environments, where stiffness increase and decreasing flowability may lead to lubrication failure. Conventional standardized methods, such as the Kesternich low-temperature flow test and other torque-based evaluations, primarily assess the rheological response of greases but offer limited information regarding their tribological behavior under realistic contact conditions.
In this study, the low-temperature friction and wear performance of various lubricating greases were systematically investigated using the SRV®5 oscillation tribometer. This methodology enables controlled simulation of dynamic, reciprocating sliding contacts, allowing for the quantification of frictional characteristics and wear mechanisms over a range of sub-zero temperatures up to -45oC . A series of experiments were conducted by varying parameters to evaluate the temperature-dependent transitions in lubrication regimes.
The tribological data obtained were correlated with results from standardized low-temperature characterization techniques, such as the Kesternich test, to examine cross-method consistency and complementary insights. Comparative analysis demonstrates the capability of tribology-based testing to capture temperature-dependent frictional transitions, providing quantitative data that can enhance current understanding of grease rheology and film formation under cold conditions, thereby addressing key limitations of current standard approaches.
Dr. George S. Dodos
PhD degree in Chemical Engineering and Diploma in Chemical Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens in Greece.
Technical director at ELDON’S S.A., a lubricants manufacturer in Greece.
Adjunct Professor at UNIWA and ASPETE (Greece) teaching Fuels & Lubricants Technology, Applied Thermodynamics, Modern Vehicle Technology, Engineering Statistics and Measurements. Research Associate in the Laboratory of Fuels and Lubricants Technology in the National Technical University of Athens, Greece.
Instructor in the NLGI HO Training Course (2019,2022,2024).
More than 100 publications in international peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings on topics related to several aspects of conventional and biobased lubricants and fuels.
Recipient of the ELGI AGM Best Paper Award three times (2014, 2016, 2019), the NLGI Author Award/Application (2017), the CLGI Best Paper Award (2021), the NLGI-IC Award (2025).
Chairman of the ELGI Test Method Working Group and past-chair of the joint ELGI/NLGI Biobased Greases Working Group.
Chairman of the End-of-Life Task Force 5 in the ELGI Sustainability Technical Committee.
Session Organizer in the SAE Fuels and Lubricants Committee and the SAE Sustainable Mobility Committee.
Affiliated to several international organizations including STLE, ASTM, SAE, ACS and IBBS.
THURSDAY, JUNE 11
Intermolecular Attractions in Grease
Thickener
Molecules and Their Influence on Synthesis Pathways
Grease structure arises from a three-dimensional network of thickener molecules that immobilize base oil. Although thickener chemistry is well established, the intermolecular attractions that assemble and stabilize these networks frequently dictate the optimal synthesis window and the final mechanical and rheological properties. This paper classifies the dominant forces across major systems—lithium and calcium 12-hydroxystearates, complex lithium/calcium soaps, polyurea, and calcium sulfonate—and ties each to process choices such as melt or sub-melting operation, dehydration strategy, cooling profile, and reaction sequencing. The framework integrates theoretical analysis, case studies, and literature-backed mechanisms to explain why Li-12HSA networks re-form effectively after melt–cool cycles, why Ca-12HSA structures should be assembled below their melting point, how hydrogen bonding governs polyurea formation (including sensitivity to MDI feed rate and thermal holds), and why calcium sulfonate greases are dispersion-dominated with structure set primarily by calcite formation.
These insights are then leveraged to guide laboratory synthesis toward more sustainable thickener chemistries and hybrid formulations that achieve target performance with reduced thickener dosage.
Sachin Kumbhar, PhD, is a chemist with 15 years’ experience in lubricant-additives technology. Founder & Director of Stribeck Addichem (India), he leads R&D and technical services for industry clients. His work focuses on lubricant additives and grease synthesis—from formulation design to scale-up and performance testing— delivering practical, field-ready solutions for industrial lubrication across manufacturing and heavy-duty sectors.
