Lubricating grease is a mixture of three main components: lubricating fluid, performance enhancing additives, and thickener. The lubricating fluid can be petroleum-derived lubricating oil, any of various synthetic lubricating fluids, or vegetable-based oil.
Does lubricating grease burn? Is it a risk for fire? Most greases will burn, but they are generally not considered to be fire hazards. Most lubricating greases contain petroleum-derived mineral oil or hydrocarbon-based synthetic fluid as the lubricating fluid. Those materials are generally considered to be combustible (flash point at or above 38 °C (100 […]
I need to add more grease to a bearing, but I do not know what grease is in the bearing. What should I do? It is best practice not to mix different lubricating greases. Since the grease in the bearing is unknown, the bearing should be purged with the replacement product until >90% of the […]
I have small amounts of two different lubricating greases. Can they be mixed in my application? It is best practice to never mix different lubricating greases. Greases should not be mixed because the thickeners, the lubricating fluids, and the additives in different greases may be incompatible. Some grease suppliers publish compatibility charts; those charts are […]
If I open a container of unused lubricating grease and I observe dirt or water, what should I do? Can the grease still be used? If it is a new container of the product, contact the supplier. If the package is being reopened, and a small amount of free water is present, then remove the […]
How should I dispose of used lubricating grease? Used lubricating grease should be disposed of in accordance with all federal, state and local environmental regulations. In some cases, used oil recyclers will accept used grease. Some municipalities or industries hold household chemical disposal drives at which grease may be accepted. Depending on the service the […]
How should I dispose of unused lubricating grease that I no longer need? Unused lubricating grease should be disposed of in accordance with all federal, state and local environmental regulations. In some cases, used oil recyclers will accept unused grease. Some municipalities or industries hold household chemical disposal drives at which grease may be accepted.
I have opened a new container of lubricating grease and used part of the product. How do I store the remaining product for future use? The remaining unused lubricating grease can be stored for future use. The surface of the grease should be left smooth (without depressions) by smoothing it with a clean implement such […]
Is it OK to leave unused grease in a grease gun? It is acceptable to leave unused grease in a grease gun. It is recommended to release the pressure from the grease by drawing the handle back and locking the spring in the retracted/compressed position. Otherwise, oil may separate from the grease over time in […]
Does lubricating grease “go bad” if it is stored for too long? How long can unused grease be stored? Unused lubricating grease can “go bad” if it is stored for an excessively long period of time, or under poor storage conditions. Most manufacturers place a date of manufacture on their product labels and publish shelf-life […]
If I open a container of unused grease and see oil on top of the grease, what should I do? Is it OK to use the grease? Oil naturally tends to separate from lubricating grease over time in storage. Storage conditions such as a warm environment can accelerate this separation. Some greases may have a […]
What is the recommended way to store an unopened container of lubricating grease? Unopened lubricating grease containers should be stored indoors, out of direct sunlight, and in an upright position. Drums, kegs, and pails should be covered, if possible, to prevent the accumulation of dust, dirt, water, etc. on the lid. The lid should be […]
What is saponification? Saponification is the reaction of a carboxylic acid (fatty acid) or ester with an alkali or an alkaline earth metal hydroxide to form an organic salt. The product of this reaction is commonly called a soap.
Are base fluid viscosity and grease consistency related? In general, for most soap thickened greases, the answer is no. Base fluid viscosity and grease consistency are independent properties of a lubricating grease. The viscosity of the base fluid is determined by the viscosity of the fluids used, as well as the effect of some additives. […]
What are the primary tests that are run on lubricating grease? Being a semi-solid material, lubricating grease has unique properties that are measured with unique tests. The two key properties are dropping point and consistency. Dropping point is the temperature at which liquid begins to separate from the grease. In some cases, the thickener melts, […]
How is lubricating grease made? Lubricating grease is made by dispersing the thickener (solid phase) into the lubricating fluid (liquid phase) to form a stable product. In most cases, the thickener is the reaction product of carboxylic acid(s) and alkaline earth metal hydroxide(s), forming an organic salt, commonly referred to as a soap. In those […]
Why is lubricating grease preferred in some applications? Lubricating grease is unique in that, in general, it stays where it is placed in the application, such as a bearing. It does not normally leak out of poorly sealed applications like liquid lubricants do. In addition, grease forms a seal to keep out contaminants like dust, […]
What is lubricating grease? Lubricating grease is a mixture of three main components: lubricating fluid, performance enhancing additives, and thickener. The lubricating fluid can be petroleum-derived lubricating oil, any of various synthetic lubricating fluids, or vegetable-based oil. The lubricating fluid is usually the majority component in the grease formulation. The additives are typically present in […]
Can lubricating grease improve the performance of elastomeric seals? Lubricating grease typically has natural sealing properties. The solid thickener component of grease can form a barrier at the edge of a seal that helps to limit or prevent leakage of fluid through the seal. Many seals are designed to be used with grease for this […]
What is the thickener in lubricating grease? The thickener in a lubricating grease is the component that sets grease apart from fluid lubricants. Thickeners are molecules, polymers, or particles that are partially soluble in lubricating fluid; they arrange themselves in such a way that they impart a semi-solid consistency to the grease. Many different types […]
Are there new technologies and applications for lubricating greases? Yes, concern for the environment, energy efficiency, and new applications are motivating the development of new grease technologies. In the environmental arena, there are new regulations for lubricants used aboard ships. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires lubricant manufacturers to assure that Vessel General […]
