GREASE
What is grease?
Oils have been mixed with other ingredients to form a gel-like material.
Greases have the advantage that they tend to stay where they are put.
Grease consists of three main ingredients:
Base oil
Additives
Thickener
Base Oil
The properties of grease are influenced by the viscosity of its base oil.
A grease with a base oil of low viscosity:
Tends to have a soft consistency (relative to the amount of
thickener it contains).
Tends to flow relatively easily under pressure.
It can be used under low temperatures for pumping over long
distances and in bearings that run at high speeds.
A grease made from a base oil of high viscosity:
Tends to have a stiffer consistency.
Has good adhesive properties.
It gives better performance at gigh temperatures, under geavy loads
(continuous, intermittent or shock) and better water washout.
Base oils used in grease:
Mineral oils
Paraffinic based-HVI-better oil-greater thickener needed.
Naphthenic based-MVI-better grease.
Synthetic oils
PAO,PIB
PAG (glycol)
Diester and polyester
Biodegradable
Rapeseed
Additives
Additives used in grease:
Detergents: To ensure that the base oil and thickener form a stable
mixture that has a uniform and consistent structure throughout.
Anti-oxidants: Help protect the base oils from oxidation.
Corrosion inhibitors: Ensure that the grease effectively protects the
metal surface that it lubricates.
Anti-wear and extreme pressure (EP): Reduce wear and improve load
carrying capacity of the grease.
Dry lubricants i.e. Moly and graphite powders allows for use at high
temperatures and under heavy loads.
Thickener
Soap based thickener used in grease:
Lithium soap:
High dropping point
Good water resistance
High operating temperature ( up to 135 C)
Excellent mechanical stability
Calcium soap:
Very good water resistance
Fair mechanical stability
Inexpensive
Sodium soap:
Wide temperature use (-20 C to 130 C)
Reasonable mechanical stability
Water absorbing-not suitable for wet conditions.
Complex soap based thickeners, such as:
Lithium complex soap:
Can be used over a wider temperature range than conventional lithium
soap greases (up to 150 C)
Good water resistance
Excellent mechanical stability
Calcium complex soap:
Can be used up to 130 C
Harden on storage for long periods or when exposed to high
temperatures.
Aluminium complex soap:
Excellent thermal resistance
Used at up to 180 C
Excellent water resistance
Excellent mechanical properties
Poorer anti-wear properties than other complex greases
Non soap based thickeners
Inorganic types like bentonite, hectorite (kinds of clay) and silica:
Less protection from corrosion
Very high operating temperature use (up to 150 C)
Moderate lubricating characteristics
Organic e.g. polyureas:
Excellent thermal stability, can be used at temperatures over 200 C
Good oxidation resistance
Excellent lubricating characteristics
Low wear characteristics
Excellent water-resistance
Properties required of grease:
1. Ability to flow*
2. Consistency
3. Dropping point
4. Oil separation
5. Compatibility (with other greases)
6. Oxidation stability
7. Water resistant
8. Corrosion protection
*The table below shows the various designations of greases.
The NLGI number indicates how fluid or non-fluid the greases are. NLGI 000 is
almost like thick oil, in contrary to NLGI 6 that can be compared to hard wax.
NLGI Form Worked penetration Typical Application
class 0.1mm, 25 C
000 fluid 445-475 Enclosed gears
00 semi-fluid 400-430 Enclosed gears
0 very soft 355-385 Centralised lub system
Low temp
1 soft 310-340 Centralised lub system
Low temp
2 medium soft 265-295 Ball/roller bearings
3 medium 220-250 High speed bearings
4 stiff 175-205 High speed, low speed
bearings
5 very stiff 130-160 Open gears
6 block 85-115 Open gears
When to lubricate with grease?
To decrease dripping and splattering of lubricant
To decrease frequency of lubrication
To seal out contaminants
For intermittent operation
To suspend solid additives (MoS2)
When extreme operating conditions exist, like:
High temperature
High pressure
Shock loading
Low speed combined with high pressure
When noise reduction is important
Grease vs Oil lubrication
Advantages
Convenience, suitability for “sealed for life” bearings
Easier retention of lubricant (stays in place)
Protection, sealing
Cleanliness
Disadvantages
Cooling (low heat transfer properties)
Contamination
Speed and temperature limitations
Reduced lubrication efficiency
Oil should be used wherever possible
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