What is Klüberplex BEM 41-132?
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What is Klüberplex BEM 41-132?
Klüberplex BEM 41-132 (article number 020256) is a high-temperature and long-term grease for rolling bearings. It combines synthetic hydrocarbon and mineral base oils with a special lithium soap thickener, carries the DIN classification KPHC2N-30L, and is documented by Klüber for long-term or lifetime lubrication of rolling bearings at operating temperatures between 70 and 110 °C, within a service range of -40 to +150 °C.
Published specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Base oil | Synthetic hydrocarbon oil and mineral oil |
| Thickener | Special lithium soap |
| DIN classification, DIN 51825 with DIN 51502 | KPHC2N-30L |
| Lower service temperature | -40 °C |
| Upper service temperature | +150 °C |
| Worked penetration, DIN ISO 2137, 25 °C | 265 to 295 (0.1 mm), NLGI 2 |
| Base oil kinematic viscosity at 40 °C | approx. 120 mm²/s (approx. 14 mm²/s at 100 °C) |
| Drop point, DIN ISO 2176 | ≥ 250 °C |
| Speed factor (n × dm) | approx. 1,000,000 mm/min |
| SKF-EMCOR, DIN 51802, distilled water, 1 week | ≤ 1 corrosion degree |
| Copper corrosion, DIN 51811, 24 h at 120 °C | 1-120 |
| Oil separation, DIN 51817, 7 days at 40 °C | ≤ 4 % by weight |
| Oil separation, ASTM D 6184, 30 h at 150 °C | ≤ 8 % by weight |
| FAG FE9 test, DIN 51821 pt. 02, 6,000 min⁻¹, 1,500 N, 150 °C | service life F50 ≥ 100 h |
| Shell roll stability, ASTM D 1831, 50 h at 100 °C | ≤ +80 (0.1 mm) penetration change |
| Low-temperature torque, IP 186 at -40 °C | start ≤ 1,000 mNm, running ≤ 200 mNm |
| Shear viscosity, 25 °C at 300 s⁻¹ | 3,000 to 6,000 mPas |
| Density at 20 °C | approx. 0.9 g/cm³ |
| Colour | Yellow |
| Minimum shelf life, unopened, dry and frost-free | approx. 36 months |
| Pack sizes | 400 g cartridge, 1 kg can, 25 kg bucket, 170 kg drum |
Scroll the table horizontally to view all columns.
Source: Klüber product page for Klüberplex BEM 41-132 and the Klüber product information sheet for article number 020256. Klüber publishes these values as guide values; confirm against the datasheet supplied with your delivery.
The KPHC2N-30L code places the product in the rolling bearing grease class of DIN 51502 with a synthetic hydrocarbon base oil, NLGI 2 consistency and a low-temperature limit of -30 °C in the classification. The separate service temperature row, -40 to +150 °C, comes from the product data table. Where a machine list asks for a DIN code, quote the code exactly and check the current datasheet.
Where the product information documents use
Klüber documents BEM 41-132 for long-term or lifetime lubrication of rolling bearings at operating temperatures between 70 and 110 °C, including rolling bearings with a high proportion of sliding friction, for-life lubricated deep groove ball bearings, and bearings in:
- Electric motors
- Paper-making machines, dry section
- Textile machines, dry section
- Hot air blowers and drying ovens
- Air separators in the base materials industry
- Generators in wind power plants
The product information also lists vehicle component bearings: clutch bearings, generator bearings, water pump bearings and fluid fan bearings. This is a documented list, so treat it as the starting point for a standardisation decision. Applications outside it are possible, but they need the application data to back them up.
The FE9 service life figure in context
The FE9 result, an F50 service life of at least 100 hours at 150 °C, 6,000 min⁻¹ and 1,500 N axial load, is a laboratory benchmark for grease life at sustained high temperature. F50 means half of the test greases reached that life. It says the product keeps its structure at 150 °C long enough to be taken seriously there; it does not convert directly into a field relubrication interval, because duty cycle, contamination and fill quantity all move the number.
For lifetime lubrication decisions, the 70 to 110 °C window in the product information is the practical anchor. Inside that window the grease's oil separation, oxidation resistance and FE9 result line up with long or lifetime fill concepts; above it, plan for shorter intervals and condition monitoring.
Application and changeover
The product information describes application by spatula, brush or grease gun. For automatic lubrication systems, check pumpability for your line lengths and temperatures before committing a central system to it. Pack sizes run from a 400 g cartridge to a 170 kg drum.
When changing greases, purge the old product from the housing as completely as practical. Lithium soap and lithium complex greases are generally mutually miscible, but a mix can still dilute performance, and greases with other thickener chemistries, for example polyurea, can change consistency when mixed. In sealed-for-life bearings that cannot be purged, do not top up with a different thickener type unless the manufacturer documents compatibility.
Example: motor bearing relubrication plan
A 132-frame motor bearing runs at 80 °C with a measured 2,900 rpm, inside the documented 70 to 110 °C lifetime window. A workable starting plan: confirm the motor manufacturer allows regreasing and notes the fill quantity, purge with fresh grease while the motor runs where the design permits, record product and batch, then trend temperature and vibration. If bearing temperature drifts up between rounds, shorten the interval instead of adding more grease per round.
Common questions
How does a lithium complex grease differ from a simple lithium grease?
A complex soap thickener has a higher drop point than a simple lithium soap, for this product at least 250 °C, and the structure holds together better at sustained high temperature. In practice that is what allows a 150 °C upper service temperature with a long-term lubrication concept. Simple lithium greases usually cost less and suit moderate temperatures; the datasheets decide which fits the point.
How does it behave in wet conditions?
The SKF-EMCOR result of at most corrosion degree 1 with distilled water over one week documents good corrosion protection of the bearing in the test. It does not replace sealing. In points with water spray or washdown, sealing arrangements and relubrication frequency protect the bearing; the grease's corrosion rating is a supporting property.
Can it be mixed with the polyurea grease factory-filled in sealed bearings?
Do not assume it. Lithium complex and polyurea thickeners are different chemistries, and a mix can soften or harden. Purge where the design allows, and where it does not, confirm compatibility with the bearing or lubricant manufacturer before topping up.
Is BEM 41-132 suitable for food machinery?
Klüber does not document NSF H1 registration for this product. For points where incidental food contact is possible, use an H1 registered product such as the Klüberfood NH1 or Klübersynth UH1 lines and verify the registration in the current NSF White Book.
What does a 120 mm²/s base oil viscosity mean for bearing selection?
Base oil viscosity sets the film thickness available at operating temperature. Around 120 mm²/s at 40 °C is a common general industrial range for medium speeds and loads. For a specific bearing, compare the viscosity ratio (kappa) using the actual operating temperature: heavily loaded slow bearings need more viscosity, small high-speed bearings less, and either extreme is a signal to look at a different product.
Order Klüberplex BEM 41-132
Send the product name, pack size (400 g cartridge, 1 kg can, 25 kg bucket or 170 kg drum) and quantity. For lubricant standardisation projects, include the current grease and the machine list so the changeover can be planned.
Manufacturer references
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