Fill-for-life CV joint grease must withstand extreme temperatures, continuous mechanical stress and demanding duty cycles without reapplication over the life of a vehicle. Historically, testing that performance required OEM dynamometer facilities or outside testing services, which added time and cost to the development process.

Quaker Houghton said the in-house system will help reduce development timelines and improve technical collaboration with CV joint manufacturers and OEMs.

“Having a tool onsite that allows us to validate grease performance in the exact joints our customers use allows us to accelerate development timelines and strengthen our technical collaboration,” said Robert Prizgint, global grease director at Quaker Houghton. “Only a few suppliers worldwide offer this capability, so we are very pleased to incorporate this advanced equipment as part of our Center of Innovation.”

The Aurora dynamometer is led by Dr. Ben Leonard, a tribologist and mechanical engineer. The system was purpose-built for grease development and automotive grease qualification.

Quaker Houghton operates grease innovation centers and manufacturing plants in the United States, Spain and France. The company said a new plant in China is expected to start up later this year.