Lubricating grease is semi-fluid. For industrial applications, it is comprised of three substances. These are:
- Base oil (liquid lubricants)
- Thickener
- Additives
The lubricating grease additives are introduced to transmit certain properties.
Purpose of Grease Additives
A Variety of chemical additives are frequently commingled with the base oils of the grease for one or more reasons. Lubricating grease additives interact with or react with the base oils to:
- Enhance the properties of the base oils
- Censor specific unwanted qualities of the base oil
- Potentially introduce some new characteristics
The overall purpose of any additive is to improve in some way the overall performance of the grease by affecting its inherent qualities.
Types and Applications of Lubricating Grease Additives
Grease additives differ according to their purpose. Among the basic types employed are:
- Antioxidants
- Anti-wear agent additives
- Extreme pressure agents
- Metal deactivation agents (metal deactivator)
- Oily agents
- Rust and corrosion inhibitors
- Structural improvement additives
Such additives are developed – often uniquely formulated or tailor-made, in response to the needs of various applications. These include
- Industrial
- Automotive
- Commercial
Lubricating Grease Additives
The purpose of additives is to improve the properties of grease. It does so without interfering with its essential make-up. Additives build on the ability of a formulation to combine several desirable performance attributes. It is therefore important to understand the nature of the grease, the properties of the workpiece, the specifics of the tools or machinery involved, and the desired result before deciding which additives are best suited to the project.
