Greases or lubricants have traditionally been used to keep vehicles, vessels, machines, and their components lubricated at all times. However, no two lubricants are the same - different types of grease produce different results based on the unique properties they possess. Due to this versatility, lubricants have many different applications and are used across a wide range of industries, including automotive, manufacturing, mining, construction, steel, marine, farming industry, and so on. If you are unsure of which type of grease you need, take a look at some of the most common lubricants available on the market today.
Calcium grease is one of the first greases that was manufactured for general use. Some of the key features of this multipurpose grease are great water resistance, good corrosion protection, and great mechanical stability. However, this lubricant is best used at lower temperatures, as high temperatures may cause changes in its structure. Today, calcium grease and calcium complex grease are mainly used in marine, industrial, automotive, and agricultural applications.
Lithium grease is a multipurpose grease known for its durability, high viscosity, and stability. It is designed to provide long-lasting protection against oxidation, corrosion, extreme temperatures, and wear and tear. Lithium and lithium complex greases are also characterised by their excellent lubrication, good water resistance, and the ability to withstand high pressure and shock loads. They are suitable for a variety of applications, including automotive, gardening, industrial, household, and demanding metal-to-metal applications.
Aluminium complex grease has many advantages - it can withstand extremely high temperatures, has impressive water-resisting properties, prevents rust, corrosion, and oxidation, and has good shear stability. Aluminium complex greases are best used in the food industry, but are also known to offer excellent results when used in the automotive, steel milling, construction, and farming industry.
Barium complex grease is a high-performance grease widely known for its mechanical stability, high-temperature resistance, ability to withstand heavy loads and high speeds, excellent water tolerance, great oxidation stability, as well as resistance to various chemicals. Barium complex grease is mostly used in demanding, heavy-load applications, such as industrial, aeronautical, marine, and manufacturing applications.
Bentone grease is a clay-based lubricant developed with the help of bentonite clay. This grease type is often called non-melt lubricant because it has no known dropping point. Its main properties are temperature change resistance, great wear and tear protection, exceptional water tolerance, good mechanical or shear stability, and impressive adhesiveness. Bentone grease is ideal for highly-demanding applications and it’s typically used in the steel, manufacturing, construction, mining, and ceramic industry.
Polyurea grease has become very popular due to its amazing characteristics, such as outstanding water resistance, great oxidation stability, rust and corrosion prevention, durability, versatility, good mechanical stability, as well as high-temperature performance. Due to these features, polyurea grease is recommended for long-life applications and used across various industries. It is considered vital for proper lubrication of steel plants and electric motors.
Sodium grease is formulated by mixing soda soap with additives and base oils. Such mixture provides solid shear stability, high dropping point, excellent rust protection, and good lubrication, but has poor water resistance and oxidation stability. Due to its drawbacks, sodium grease is now mostly used for lubrication of rolling contact bearings. Moreover, it is commonly mixed with other greases in an effort to produce grease of higher quality and value.
All these seven types of grease can be referred to as multipurpose (MP) greases, extreme pressure (EP) greases, marine greases, heavy-duty greases, specialty greases, automotive greases, industry greases, and so on, depending on the unique properties of base oils, additives, and thickeners used in the process of manufacture.