AeroShell Grease Disruption

On Monday 14th June 2021 Lubrizol Corporation’s Chemtool Facility in Rockton suffered a huge fire affecting the manufacture and future supply of certain AeroShell Grease grades.

Update:

As of June 2023, supply of all AeroShell Clay Based Greases has returned to normal. To read the latest bulletin, click here.

Chemtool have confirmed that as result of the event they expect a total loss of manufacturing capabilities, and therefore, are unable to supply products. Shell formally declare that, with effect from 2nd July 2021, a force majeure event has occurred and this may impact Shell’s ability to supply the following grades of AeroShell

Silmid are working closely with Shell to manage our existing inventories and forecast demand to minimise impact to our customers.

Alongside this, Shell have been and will continue to take reasonable steps to mitigate the effects of this force majeure Event and have, amongst others, worked to assess alternative grease solutions.

Proposed Alternatives

Customers should choose the appropriate products for their needs and refer to the OEM’s manuals. Options for consideration are listed below, and additional resources can be found at the bottom of this page:

AeroShell Grease 5

Approved by OEMs and to Mil-G-3545C (obsolete). Subject to the approval of the OEM, AeroShell Grease 58 may be an acceptable alternative, in particular for wheel bearing applications where AeroShell Grease 58 is already approved for Parker and other OEMs.

AeroShell Grease 58 (1) has also been used as a General Aviation aircraft grease following specific OEM approval.

AeroShell Grease 6

AeroShell Grease 6 is the only AeroShell grease approved to MIL-PRF-24139A. Further information on possible alternatives can be found here

AeroShell Grease 7

AeroShell Grease 7 is the only grease approved to MIL- PRF-23827 Type II. Subject to the approval of the OEM, AeroShell Grease 33 (2) may be an acceptable alternative.

AeroShell Grease 33 is approved to MIL-PRF-23827 Type I and a favoured general aircraft grease by leading OEMs.

AeroShell Grease 22

AeroShell Grease 22 is approved to MIL-PRF-81322. Subject to the approval of the equipment OEM, AeroShell Grease 58 may be an acceptable alternative, in particular for wheel bearing applications where AeroShell Grease 58 is approved for many applications.

Please Note: AeroShell Greases 5, 6, 7 and 22 are Microgel® thickened. Mixing of these greases with other thickener types should generally be minimized or avoided. Lithium complex grease generally has superior additive tolerance allowing for more sophisticated performance characteristics such as corrosion protection, load carrying ability, and mechanical stability.

(1) AeroShell Grease 58 is a synthetic hydrocarbon, lithium-complex-thickened grease designed as the next generation wheel bearing grease. AeroShell Grease 58 is approved to SAE AMS 3058 and shares the same, technology proven, AeroShell Lithium Complex thickener systems used in AeroShell Grease 33 and AeroShell Grease 64.

(2) AeroShell Grease 33 is a lithium-complex-thickened grease with synthetic hydrocarbon and ester base oil and is an industry accepted alternative to AeroShell Grease 7. There is an aviation industry trend to move away from clay-based greases such as Microgel® to lithium complex grease

Shell is ready to work with equipment manufacturers to confirm the suitability of the alternative greases listed above.

Your Silmid Account Manager will be on hand to discuss any specific concerns or requirements you may have.

We thank you for your patience and cooperation at this time and we will continue to keep you updated as the situation evolves.