About Lesson
WHAT IS LUBRICATING GREASE?
Lubricating Grease — Lubricating grease is a semi-solid lubricant composed of a base oil, a thickener, and various additives.
- The base oil can be mineral or synthetic. while the thickener, often a soap such as lithium, calcium, or aluminum complex, provides the grease its consistency and ability to stay in place.
- Additives are included to enhance performance characteristics, such as improving resistance to oxidation, corrosion, or extreme pressure.
Consider Grease as a Sponge:
- Thickener particles adhere to each other due to chemical attractive forces
- Greases release oil when force is applied and absorb oil when that force is relieved
WHY LUBRICATE WITH GREASE?
- Stays In Place
- Vertical shafts, bearings
- Minimizes leakage
- Hard to Reach Lubrication Points
- Extended Relubrication Intervals
- OEM Requirements
WHEN TO LUBRICATE WITH GREASE?
Lubricating Grease is Critical…
- To decrease dripping and splattering of lubricant
- To decrease frequency of lubrication
- To seal out contaminants
- For stop/go operation
- To suspend solid additives
- Under extreme operating conditions such as:
- high temperature
- high pressure
- shock loading
- slow speed / high pressure
- When noise reduction is very important