AMSOIL Premium
Synthetic Greases; An Education in Grease
What Is Grease?
According to the Practical Handbook of Lubrication,
thickened with a material that contributes a degree of
plasticity. Greases are typically used in areas where a continuous supply of oil
cannot be retained, such as
open bearings or chassis components. Grease Components Greases are comprised of
two basic structural components: a base fluid and a thickening agent.
Different types and combinations of thickeners and base fluids, along with
supplemental structure modifiers and performance additives, combine to give the
final product
its special lubricating properties.
Base Oil – Many different
types of base oil may be used in the manufacture of a grease, including
petroleum (napthenic, parafinic) and synthetic (PAO’s, esters, silicones,
glycols). Just as with motor oils and
transmission fluids, the viscosity of the base oil is the most significant
property. A lighter, lower viscosity
base oil is used to formulate low temperature greases, while a heavier, higher
viscosity base oil is used to formulate high temperature greases. With
outstanding lubricating abilities in temperature extremes, AMSOIL greases offer
a wider range of application than conventional greases.
Thickener – Thickener is
the term describing the ingredients added to a base oil in order to thicken it
to a
grease structure. The two basic types of thickeners are organic thickeners and
inorganic thickeners. Organicthickeners can be either soap-based or non-soap based, while inorganic
thickeners are non-soap based.
Simple soaps are formed with the combination of a fatty acid
or ester (of either animal or vegetable
origin) with an alkali or alkaline earth metal, reacted with the application of
heat, pressure or agitation
through a process known as saponification. The fiber structure provided by the
metal soap determines the mechanical stability and physical properties of the
finished grease.
In order to take on enhanced performance characteristics,
including higher dropping points, a complex
agent is added to the soap thickener to convert it to a soap salt complex
thickener. The greases are
then referred to as “complexes” and include lithium complex greases like those
provided by AMSOIL.
Additives – Chemical
additives are added to greases in order to enhance their performance, much like
the
additives added to lubricating oils. Performance requirements, compatibility,
environmental considerations,
color and cost all factor into additive selection.
Grease Properties
Grease consistency correlates to the firmness of the grease.
Depending on the applications they’re
designed for, greases can range from semifluid consistencies to almost solid.
Care must be taken to
select the correct consistency for the application. If the grease is too hard,
it may not adequately flow to the
areas in need of lubrication. If it is too soft, it may leak away from the
desired area. Since consistency directly
correlates to pumpability, equipment greased through a dispensing system may
require a grease representing
a compromise between what is required for lubrication and what can be adequately
pumped.
Consistency is measured with the ASTM Cone Penetration Test D
217. Under prescribed conditions,
a standardized cone is allowed to drop into the grease for 5 seconds. The level
of penetration is measured to
determine its NLGI consistency number, ranging from 000 to 6. The higher the
penetration number, the lower
the consistency number.
Oxidation stability has to do with the performance of a grease
after being exposed to oxygen. Both the
ASTM D 942 Bomb Oxidation Test and the ASTM D 3527 High Temperature Bearing Life
Test are used to
measure oxidation.
Exposure to water may effect greases in several ways. First,
it can cause grease to change consistency, becoming softer or firmer. Second, it
may change the grease’s texture, perhaps becoming less adhesive. Third, it may
form an emulsion with the grease, losing its lubricating effectiveness or
washing away. The Water Washout (ASTM D 1264) Test and Water Spray Off (ASTM D
4049) Test measure the amount of grease washed away from various water washing
and spraying conditions. The Rust ASTM D 1743 measures rust
inhibiting characteristics and the ASTM D 4048 measures copper corrosion. A
lubricant’s main job is to separate bearing surfaces to prevent wear. If the
amount of lubricant is inadequate, the lubricant film becomes so thin that some
parts come into contact with part of the surfaces being separated. Known as
boundary lubrication, it causes a modest level of wear on one or both bearing
surfaces. Lubricants differ in their load-carrying abilities, sometimes keeping
the film thicker and sometimes acting chemically on the surfaces to prevent them
from welding.
Three separate tests for load-carrying capability are used.
The Four-Ball Wear ASTM D 2266 measures wear at light loads, while the Four-Ball
EP ASTM D2596 and Timken EP ASTM D 2509 indicate more severe
wear or welding.
To See
AMSOIL
Grease Products
AMSOIL offers a full line of premium synthetic
lubricating greases, including Multi-Purpose Grease, Heavy-Duty Grease, Racing
Grease, X-Treme Food Grade Grease and Water Resistant Grease.
AMSOIL greases
effectively reduce friction and wear, keeping components running clean and
troublefree.
The AMSOIL Multi-Purpose GL Series of greases consist of the
GLA (NLGI #0), GLB (NLGI #1 GC/LB) and GLC (NLGI #2 GC/LB) grades, as well as
the GLC Multi-Purpose Spray Grease. The greases in the GL Series contain the
same viscosity base oils and additives, but contain different amounts of
thickener. GLA contains the least thickener, making it more suitable for cold
temperature applications, while GLC contains more thickener, making it better
suited for high temperature, moisture and speed applications.
AMSOIL Multi-Purpose Greases are ideal for automotive wheel
bearings and electric motors, while the Multi-Purpose Spray Grease works
perfectly for hard-to-reach equipment
such as hinges and springs.
The AMSOIL Heavy-Duty GH Series of greases consist of the GHB
(NLGI #1 GC/LB) and GHD (NLGI #2 GC/LB) grades. AMSOIL GHB and GHD contain the
same viscosity base oils and additives, differing only in the amount of
thickener. GHB contains less thickener than GHD, making it ideal for cold
weather applications.
AMSOIL Heavy-Duty Greases provide outstanding protection in
four wheel drive steering knuckles, spring shackles and other components exposed
to high-load, high-speed conditions. AMSOIL GRG Series 2000 Racing Grease (NLGI
#2 GC/LB) is ideal for vehicles in which the brakes are applied frequently. It
offers unsurpassed high temperature protection, providing the ultimate
protection for hard-driven, high-performance vehicles.
AMSOIL GWR Water Resistant Grease (NLGI #1.5 GC/LB) provides
outstanding performance in wet environments, such as those found in boat trailer
wheel bearings. It effectively resists both water washout and degradation.
AMSOIL GXC X-Treme Food Grade Grease (NLGI #2 H-I) provides
superior, non-toxic lubrication in food and pharmaceutical industry equipment.
It reduces friction, wear and heat in temperature extremes from -35°F to 400°F.
T's Advanced Synthetics
Greg and Marcy Thurman
Your Nationwide
AMSOIL
Authorized Independent
Dealer
Nationwide US Warehouses,
Canada and Palm Harbor, FL
727-798-8552
E-Mail:
greg@tsadvancedsynthetics.com
If you
experience problems or have questions or comments about
our website please email us at
greg@tsadvancedsynthetics.com
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