Grease Lubrication – Bearing Grease Lubrication

Why grease lubrication?
Properties
Grease compatibility chart
NLGI Grease consistency grading

Why grease lubrication?

Greases are typically applied in areas where a continuous supply of oil cannot be retained, such as open bearings or gears.  Factors to be considered when selecting a suitable grease are operating temperatures, water resistance, oxidation stability etc. The second factor, not less important, are the grease’s characteristics, including viscosity and consistency.

A lubricating grease consists of a base oil, performance additives and a thickener which forms a matrix that retains the oil in a semisolid state. Most grease thickeners are soaps, i.e. lithium, calcium, or aluminum soap. Complex soap greases have superior temperature resistance and are commonly usable up to 180ºC, at which the mineral oil vaporizes. A smaller number of greases, restricted to very special applications, are manufactured with non-soap thickeners such as organoclays, polyurea or silica compounds.

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