Recent Trends in Grease Technology Related to Automotive Electrification

Abstract

This paper introduces the approach of lubricant agent to components which contribute to vehicle electrification, including high speed bearing, minute current sliding contact switch and bearing for preventing electrical corrosion. In the high speed bearings, grease thickener is being designed to improve both durability and high speed rotation performance. In the minute current sliding contact switch, electrical contact grease is commercialized to reduce wear of electrical contact materials in electrical components. In order to prevent bearing damage from electrical current, development of conductive grease is in progress, for example by blended with ionic liquid.