Grease 101: Different Grease Types and When to Apply Them

Greases or lubricants have traditionally been used to continue vehicles, vessels, machines, and their components lubricated at all times. Notwithstanding, no 2 lubricants are the same - different types of grease produce dissimilar results based on the unique properties they possess.

Due to this versatility, lubricants accept many different applications and are used across a wide range of industries, including automotive, manufacturing, mining, structure, steel, marine, farming industry, and so on.

If yous are unsure of which type of grease yous demand, take a look at some of the well-nigh common lubricants available on the market today.

Types of grease and their uses

Pistons

Calcium grease

Calcium grease is ane of the get-go greases that was manufactured for general use. Some of the key features of this multipurpose grease are great water resistance, good corrosion protection, and great mechanical stability. Yet, this lubricant is best used at lower temperatures, as high temperatures may cause changes in its construction. Today, calcium grease and calcium complex grease are mainly used in marine, industrial, automotive, and agricultural applications.

Lithium grease

Lithium grease is a multipurpose grease known for its durability, high viscosity, and stability. It is designed to provide long-lasting protection against oxidation, corrosion, extreme temperatures, and wear and tear. Lithium and lithium complex greases are also characterised by their fantabulous lubrication, good water resistance, and the ability to withstand high pressure and shock loads. They are suitable for a variety of applications, including automotive, gardening, industrial, household, and demanding metal-to-metal applications.

Aluminium complex grease

Aluminium complex grease has many advantages - information technology can withstand extremely high temperatures, has impressive water-resisting properties, prevents rust, corrosion, and oxidation, and has proficient shear stability. Aluminium complex greases are best used in the food industry, simply are as well known to offer first-class results when used in the automotive, steel milling, construction, and farming industry.

Barium complex grease

Barium complex grease is a high-operation grease widely known for its mechanical stability, loftier-temperature resistance, power to withstand heavy loads and high speeds, excellent h2o tolerance, great oxidation stability, equally well every bit resistance to various chemicals. Barium complex grease is mostly used in demanding, heavy-load applications, such as industrial, aeronautical, marine, and manufacturing applications.

Bentone (dirt) grease

Bentone grease is a clay-based lubricant developed with the help of bentonite clay. This grease type is oftentimes called non-melt lubricant considering it has no known dropping point. Its main backdrop are temperature change resistance, great wear and tear protection, infrequent water tolerance, good mechanical or shear stability, and impressive adhesiveness. Bentone grease is ideal for highly-demanding applications and it'southward typically used in the steel, manufacturing, structure, mining, and ceramic industry.

Polyurea grease

Polyurea grease has become very popular due to its astonishing characteristics, such as outstanding h2o resistance, great oxidation stability, rust and corrosion prevention, durability, versatility, good mechanical stability, as well as high-temperature performance. Due to these features, polyurea grease is recommended for long-life applications and used across various industries. It is considered vital for proper lubrication of steel plants and electric motors.

Sodium grease

Sodium grease is formulated by mixing soda lather with additives and base oils. Such mixture provides solid shear stability, high dropping point, fantabulous rust protection, and good lubrication, but has poor h2o resistance and oxidation stability. Due to its drawbacks, sodium grease is now more often than not used for lubrication of rolling contact bearings. Moreover, it is commonly mixed with other greases in an effort to produce grease of college quality and value.

All these vii types of grease can exist referred to every bit multipurpose (MP) greases, extreme pressure (EP) greases, marine greases, heavy-duty greases, specialty greases, automotive greases, industry greases, and then on, depending on the unique properties of base oils, additives, and thickeners used in the process of industry.

Grease

Factors to consider when choosing the correct grease for your needs

When it comes to purchasing the correct type of grease for your private application requirements, it's best to have several factors into consideration prior to making a concluding conclusion.

Base oil

Base oil represents the foundation of every lubricant and information technology's worth mentioning that its type determines the overall performance of the grease in question. Iii main types of base oils are mineral, synthetic, and vegetable oils. Synthetic oils are considered to offering the all-time results in terms of protection, performance, temperature and weather resistance, followed by expert shear stability.

Additives

Additives are used to heighten the features and qualities of each grease and boost its functioning. The most common additives are extreme pressure additives, oxidation, rust, and corrosion inhibitors, polymers used to increase adhesiveness, insoluble solids, and additives that provide increased wear and tear protection. Also, certain dyes and pigments are added to each grease.

Thickener

Thickeners are used to enable all grease components to bond better, which increases the overall efficiency of every grease. Types of thickeners that are commonly used are simple and complex soaps, which are based on lithium, calcium, aluminium, sodium, and barium compounds. In addition, certain non-soap thickeners, such every bit those based on dirt and polyurea, can exist used to requite the grease its consistency.

Consistency

Consistency is a property defined by the National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI) used to determine the level of softness or hardness of every grease. Every grease is assigned a specific NLGI number that goes from 000 to vi. These NLGI grades are then used to limited the level of consistency each grease has. So, for instance, NLGI grade 000 grease is completely fluid, NLGI grade 0 grease is described as very soft, NLGI ane grease is soft, NLGI two grease is considered normal, NLGI 3 grease is firm, while NLGI 6 grease is defined as very hard.

Viscosity

Grease viscosity determines its ability to remain stable and offer constructive protection against friction. College viscosity provides greater stability when grease is exposed to heavy, boring loads, while lower viscosity is ideal for loftier-speed applications.

To sum up

Every bit yous can meet, the type of grease you decide to use matters a lot.

Each lubricant has a unlike ready of characteristics that make up one's mind its consistency, viscosity, ability to prevent friction, reduce clothing and tear, protect confronting rust, corrosion, and oxidation, maintain mobility, and finish water and other contaminants from coming into contact with the equipment.

Have all these factors into consideration before making a purchase and remember - the right grease for you lot is the one that meets (and surpasses) all the requirements you have.

Larn more about Valvoline Grease production and Contact our experts for complimentary recommendation on how to ensure the optimal performance and protection of your equipment and mechanism!