The National Lubricating Grease Institute is an international

trade association A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association, sector association or industry body, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry. An industry trade association partic ...

that serves the grease and

gear A gear is a rotating circular machine part having cut teeth or, in the case of a cogwheel or gearwheel, inserted teeth (called ''cogs''), which mesh with another (compatible) toothed part to transmit (convert) torque and speed. The basic ...

lubricant industry. It exists to promote research and development of lubrication technology. It also publishes industry standards for greases.

History

The NLGI was incorporated by a small number of U.S. companies in 1933 to create a code for the

National Recovery Act The National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933 (NIRA) was a US labor law and consumer law passed by the 73rd US Congress to authorize the president to regulate industry for fair wages and prices that would stimulate economic recovery. It also e ...

. The original name of the organization was the ''National Association of Lubricating Grease Manufacturers, Inc''. The name was changed in 1937 as the industry recognized the need for a joint development and standards association and membership grew. The NLGI is a not-for-profit corporation whose membership includes grease manufacturers and sales organizations, associated equipment manufacturers, industry suppliers, service organizations, research and educational groups. Membership is open to corporations and individuals. According to information posted by the NLGI in 2004, the institute has member organizations in 26 countries, while subscriptions to its journal, the ''NLGI Spokesman'', represent 50 countries.

Standards

In cooperation with

ASTM International ASTM International, formerly known as American Society for Testing and Materials, is an international standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, ...

and

SAE International SAE International, formerly named the Society of Automotive Engineers, is a United States-based, globally active professional association and standards developing organization for engineering professionals in various industries. SAE Internatio ...

, the NLGI has developed the categorisation of lubricating greases specified in standard ''“standard classification and specification for automotive service greases”'', reproduced in standard ''“automotive lubricating greases”''. The NLGI retains jurisdiction over the designation and definition of the categories, which it publishes in its ''“chassis and wheel bearing service classification system”''. The NLGI has also created a symbol, the ''NLGI Certification Mark'', which can be used on containers of greases to advertise their category. The measure of the consistency of a lubricating grease is commonly expressed by its NLGI consistency number, defined by the NLGI in the ''“standard classification of lubricating grease”''. The NLGI consistency number is used in several standards: , and ''“lubricants, industrial oils and related products (class L) — classification — part 9: family X (greases)”''. The NLGI also administers a professional certification program. Individuals passing an examination designed to test their knowledge in the field of lubricating grease obtain the ''Certified Lubricating Grease Specialist'' (CLGS) certification.

References

External links

* Lubricants Standards organizations in the United States 1933 establishments in the United States Organizations established in 1933 Petroleum organizations {{org-stub