Third-Party Validated Performance
Every grease manufacturer claims high performance. We let the data speak for itself.
SmartC-HD has been independently tested by two separate laboratories — Guangdong ExLub New Materials Technology (ASTM/GB/SH standards) and Dongguan VNOVO Materials Technology (ASTM/DIN standards). Both tests were conducted against Kluber GE44-51, one of the most widely used harmonic drive greases in the robotics industry.
Here are the results.
Key Performance Metrics
Friction & Wear Performance (ASTM D2266)
| Parameter | SmartC-HD | Kluber GE44-51 |
|---|---|---|
| Wear Scar Diameter | **0.35 mm** | 0.42 mm |
| Friction Coefficient | **0.048** | 0.051 |
What this means: SmartC-HD produces a 17% smaller wear scar, indicating significantly less metal-to-metal contact on gear tooth surfaces. For harmonic drive flexsplines — which are thin, continuously deforming components — this translates directly to longer component life.
The lower friction coefficient (0.048 vs 0.051) also means less energy loss at each joint, which compounds across the 40+ joints in a humanoid robot.
Oil Separation Stability (SH/T 0324)
| Parameter | SmartC-HD | Kluber GE44-51 |
|---|---|---|
| Oil Separation Rate (100°C, 24h) | **0.92%** | 3.05% |
What this means: Oil separation (or "oil bleed") measures how much base oil separates from the thickener structure under heat. Lower is better.
At 0.92%, SmartC-HD retains its oil roughly 3 times more effectively than the benchmark. This is critical for sealed harmonic drives where separated oil can leak past seals, leaving the grease dry and ineffective. Less oil bleed means more consistent lubrication over the full service life.
Extreme Pressure Performance (ASTM D2596)
| Parameter | SmartC-HD | Kluber GE44-51 |
|---|---|---|
| Weld Load (PD) | **315 kg** | 250 kg |
What this means: The weld load (PD) is the force at which two metal surfaces weld together under extreme pressure. SmartC-HD withstands 26% more load before seizure occurs.
For harmonic drives, this is the last line of defense — if an unexpected shock load hits the joint (a robot stumbling, catching a heavy object, or colliding with an obstacle), the grease must prevent the flexspline and wave generator from welding together. A higher PD means better protection against catastrophic failure.
Thermal Stability
| Parameter | SmartC-HD | Kluber GE44-51 |
|---|---|---|
| Dropping Point | **289°C** | 287°C |
Both greases show excellent thermal stability, with SmartC-HD slightly higher at 289°C. This ensures the grease maintains its structure even during sustained high-temperature operation.
Base Properties
| Parameter | SmartC-HD | Kluber GE44-51 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Oil Type | Hydrocarbon + Complex Lithium Soap | Hydrocarbon + Complex Lithium Soap |
| Base Oil Viscosity (40°C) | 50 mm²/s | 50 mm²/s |
| Appearance | Red, uniform paste | Red, uniform paste |
| Cone Penetration (25°C) | 298 (0.1mm) | 305 (0.1mm) |
The base formulation architecture is comparable — both use synthetic hydrocarbon base oils with complex lithium soap thickeners. The performance differences come from SmartC's proprietary additive package and thickener processing technology.
Rheological Properties (DIN 51810)
| Parameter | SmartC-HD | Kluber GE44-51 |
|---|---|---|
| Viscosity (40°C, 10s⁻¹) | 44.24 Pa·s | 42.29 Pa·s |
| Viscosity (100°C, 10s⁻¹) | 16.59 Pa·s | 15.16 Pa·s |
| Viscosity (25°C, 300s⁻¹) | 3.3 Pa·s | 3.0 Pa·s |
The rheological profiles are closely matched, confirming that SmartC-HD delivers equivalent flow behavior — it will pump, dispense, and distribute within joint cavities in the same way as the established benchmark. The performance gains come from the additive chemistry, not from simply changing the viscosity.
Summary
SmartC-HD matches the baseline physical properties of the industry benchmark while delivering measurably superior performance where it counts:
These aren't theoretical claims. They're numbers from standardized ASTM and DIN test methods, verified by independent laboratories.
Get Your Own Test Data
We provide free samples for qualified OEM and R&D projects. Run SmartC-HD on your own test rigs and compare the results yourself.