Introduction
Mechanical grease is also known as Industrial Grease. It is a composition of heavy oil, thickeners such as soap and an additive. Soap as a thickener, makes the composition thicker and stickier. Following is the importance of those ingredients in the mechanical grease:
- Oils: Nowadays, mineral oil is used to make most of the greases which gives high performances and proves beneficial for most industrial machines. But for extreme temperatures, it is advisable to use synthetic oil-based grease as it is more heat resistant and provides better stability.
- Thickener: Thickeners shape the grease into solid or semi-fluid structure when they are combined with the chosen lubricant. Metallic soap is one of the most common thickeners. It consists of lithium, aluminum, clay, sodium, etc.
- Additives: Additives play a key role as it improves existing properties and removes unwanted properties. They also prevent grease from rust, friction or wear.
Anatomy of Mechanical Grease
Nowadays, grease is produced to optimize fluid components from the mineral oils but these variations give desired results in most industrial applications only. Use of grease with synthetic based oil is more suitable option in the applications with variations in high temperature. This is because it provides better stability to the application in such situations.
Thickeners create a solid or semi-fluid structures when mixed with the selected lubricant. Currently, metallic soaps are used as thickeners by the grease formulations. Metallic soaps are the combination of lithium, aluminum, clay, sodium, calcium and polyurea.
Usually, complex grease consists of conventional metallic soap and a complex agent. Lithium based complex grease is used more widely. Lithium based complex grease is the combination of conventional lithium soap and an organic acid with low molecular weight as the complex agent. Non-soap thickeners are also preferred options nowadays for high temperatures environment. Bentonite and Silica and aerogel are two types of thickeners that do not melt in high temperatures.
Properties of Mechanical Grease
Following are the important properties of lubricating grease:
- NLGI grease
- Viscosity of Base Oils
- Consistency
- Stability in terms of its mechanism
- Drop Point
- Temperature of its operation
Characteristics
Like oils, grease also has its own characteristics which needs to be remembered while selecting correct grease for the appliance. Such as, it is advisable to use heavy duty grease in the environment of high pressure as it is pumpable, resistant to water, consistent, has an accurate dropping point and oxidation stability.
Function and Applications
The main function of grease is to maintain contact with the moving surface and lubricate it without leaking due to situations like the force of gravity, centrifugal action or under high pressure. But it is important to remember that grease and oil could not be interchanged as lubricants. Grease is used only when oil is not the correct or suggestive option. Selection of correct lubricant is done by matching the design of machinery and its operating conditions. High quality greases also remain intact for a longer span of time and do not require relubrication. Even in worn parts, grease extends protection in clearances increases by wears. This leads to an increase in life span of the damaged parts up to some extent.
Advantages of Using Mechanical Grease
Usually, components of the machines come in contact with each other and generate friction and heat. Mechanical grease reduces those effects and extends the life of machines. With the help of mechanical grease, contact between those components is reduced, friction is generated in low quantity and the movements of those machines remain smooth for several years. The below mentioned are the advantages of using mechanical grease:
- Better adhesion of surface
- Better insulation and sealing
- Provides protection from wear and corrosion
- Also useful for operation at high temperatures
- Efficiently absorb noise and vibration
When to use Mechanical Grease?
It is important to note that when is it essential to use the mechanical grease. Following are the circumstances where usage of mechanical grease is vital:
- In the machines which are not used regularly or at repeated intervals.
- In the machines which do not need to be serviced frequently. Mechanical greases of high quality are considered best for lubrication of the components that are inaccessible for a longer span of time for example, at the time of the temporary plant shutdown.
- In the equipment operated under extreme conditions such as high temperatures or pressures. It is also used in the equipment that handles heavy loads.
- In the revived worn parts. Here, the grease produces a thick film which helps in extending the life span of worn parts that were earlier lubricated with oil.
When to NOT use Mechanical Grease?
In some cases, usage of mechanical grease is not a good option due to its circumstances. Some of the situations where it is not advisable to use mechanical grease are:
- In mechanisms where there is a need of heat dissipation provided by the lubricant.
- In situations where lighter lubricants are required such as in very high speeds.
Take away
This is a brief explanation about the importance of mechanical grease. We hope those topics will be effective for you to get clarity about its usage. Please let us know through your valuable feedback and the suggestion in the drop box.