lubricationgrease

Lubrication grease, often simply called grease, is a semi-solid lubricant consisting of a lubricating base oil dispersed within a thickener structure. The thickener traps the oil, allowing it to stay in place in a bearing or joint while still releasing oil under load. This enables lubrication without a continuous oil supply and provides a barrier against contaminants.

Most greases fall into base-oil and thickener categories. Base oils may be mineral, synthetic (polyalphaolefin, ester, or silicone), or bio-based. Thickeners include lithium soaps (the most common), calcium soaps, aluminum complex, polyurea, bentonite clay, and other engineered thickeners. Additives may be included to improve anti-wear, anti-oxidation, corrosion inhibition, rust protection, and water resistance.

Key properties used to select grease include the NLGI consistency grade (0 to 6), dropping point, base-oil viscosity, and shear stability. Other considerations are oxidation resistance, compatibility with seals and materials, temperature range, load, speed, and exposure to water or chemicals. The selection often depends on operating temperature, load, speed, environment, and the design life of the equipment.

Common applications include bearings and bushings in automotive and industrial machinery, wheel hubs, hinges, cam followers, gears, and slow-moving mechanisms. Relubrication intervals depend on duty cycle and environment; greases are typically chosen to minimize leakage, extend service life, and reduce maintenance.

Safety, handling, and disposal follow standard practices for lubricant products, including avoiding skin contact and following material-safety-data sheets. Environmental considerations emphasize spill prevention and proper disposal or recycling of used grease.