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Lubricants Content

Industrial Grease Explained: Composition, Characteristics, and Use

Greases are generally made up of three components: base fluid, thickener and additives.

Choosing the Right Industrial Grease for Specific Applications

Selecting the right industrial grease starts with understanding the specific demands of your equipment and operating environment. Unlike general-purpose lubricants, industrial greases are formulated for targeted use cases—ranging from high-speed bearings to equipment exposed to moisture, heavy loads, or extreme temperatures.

Each grease characteristic, such as viscosity, thickener type, and additive package, plays a vital role in determining how the grease will perform under different mechanical stresses. For example, soap-thickened greases are commonly used because of their excellent shear stability and compatibility with various base oils and additives. In contrast, non-soap thickeners may be preferred for applications requiring greater resistance to high temperatures or chemical exposure.

By evaluating these characteristics in relation to your application, you can ensure that the selected industrial grease offers optimal protection, minimises wear, and extends the service life of your machinery. For more detail on consistency levels and performance expectations, explore our guide to NLGI 2 industrial grease.

Base Fluids in Industrial Grease

When selecting an industrial grease, the base fluid plays a crucial role in its performance under specific conditions.

A mineral oil is a reliable choice with seals, but tends to lose its effectiveness under extreme temperature conditions. On the other hand, while synthetic fluids work well in extreme temperatures, they come at a slightly higher cost than mineral oils. The viscosity of the fluid can also impact performance. Under low temperatures or high-speed environments, a low viscosity fluid works best, though higher viscosity fluids prefer higher temperatures and slower equipment speeds.

Common Additives in Industrial Grease

Additives are commonly used in industrial grease formulations to enhance performance across various applications

Dyes are used to change the colour or appearance of the grease, while stabilisers ensure the base fluid and thickener form a consistent mix. Antioxidants are used to mitigate the oxidation of the base fluid, and corrosion inhibitors are integrated to protect metal surfaces from corrosion. In extreme pressure conditions, anti-wear and load-carrying additives enhance the overall performance of the grease and ensure its durability, while solid film lubricants elevate the grease's high-temperature performance.

Thickening Agents in Industrial Grease

In industrial grease, different thickening agents provide varying characteristics such as melting points, additive compatibility, and water resistance.

Thickeners diagram

High-Temperature and Extreme Condition Performance

In demanding industrial environments, grease must do more than just lubricate—it must maintain its integrity under extreme conditions. Unlike circulating oils, industrial grease lacks the ability to dissipate heat through convection, making it more susceptible to thermal degradation such as oxidation and carbonisation.

To perform reliably, industrial grease must retain its essential grease characteristics like consistency, film strength, and shear stability even when exposed to high temperatures, heavy loads, or intense pressure. This is especially important in applications such as enclosed gear systems, high-speed bearings, or machinery that operates intermittently or under shock loading.

Some industrial greases are enhanced with solid lubricants like molybdenum disulfide or graphite, which remain suspended in the grease and provide additional protection when traditional oil films would fail. These formulations help reduce wear, resist breakdown, and extend equipment lifespan in the most punishing conditions. For help identifying the right formulation by specification or brand, check our Grease Cross Reference guide.

What is an Industrial Grease?

Unlike piston engine oils (PEOs) and turbine engine oils (TEOs), industrial greases tend to be thicker, taking on a solid or semi-solid form. They are a thickened lubricant oil, with the main benefit being that they remain in place, available for use at the most critical parts of a mechanical operation. Because of this thickener, a grease acts like a sponge, releasing lubricant when necessary and then reabsorbing it once the pressure has been relieved. While greases benefit from having less flow, this does mean that they are ineffective at removing heat and other contaminants from the process.

Diagram of grease cleaning process

Consistency

As mentioned previously, the main characteristic of a grease is its consistency; however, this can vary depending on the amount of thickener used. The consistency of industrial grease is measured in NLGI (National Lubricating Grease Institute) ratings, ranging from 000 to 6, although anything greater than 3 is less common. Each NLGI rating can be compared to an everyday product as outlined to the right.

Grease properties and grade chart with examples

Grease component diagram

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Grease

What is the best grease for industrial bearings?

Lithium grease is one of the most commonly used types of industrial grease for ball and roller bearings. It offers excellent versatility, resists high temperatures, and performs reliably under various load conditions. These grease characteristics make it ideal for use in industrial machinery, automotive components, and heavy-duty applications.

What are the four types of grease?

The four general types of industrial grease are: lithium-based, calcium-based, aluminium complex, and polyurea. Each type differs in terms of grease characteristics such as water resistance, load capacity, and thermal stability. Choosing the right one depends on your specific application needs.

Which is thicker, 0 or 00 grease?

On the NLGI consistency scale, 00 grease is less thick than 0 grease. The scale ranges from 000 (very fluid) to 6 (block-like). Lower numbers are softer and more pumpable, while higher numbers are firmer and used in more stationary applications. These classifications are key grease characteristics to consider when selecting the proper product.