Lithium grease is a high-viscosity multi-purpose lubricant produced by a wide range of brands including Total and Houghton.
Like other greases, it is designed to stay in place longer than oil, making it ideal for mechanical equipment that needs infrequent lubrication, and for moving parts that roll where a less viscous solution would run off.
Lithium grease is composed on a base oil mixed with lithium soap and additives. The base oil supplies good lubrication, while the lithium soap – which is a mix of lithium salt and fatty acid – acts as a thickening agent. The additives improve grease performance.
The benefits of lithium grease include being non-corrosive, having excellent lubricity, good temperature tolerance, resistance to moisture, adherence to metal and holding up under heavy loads. As a result, lithium grease is used in a wide variety of applications where such attributes are required.
Here, we look at some of the sectors that lithium grease is used for in detail – including agriculture, marine and household usage.
Marine applications for lithium grease
Marine environments are hard on metals. Water, sea air and salt can all wreak havoc on metal apparatus, vehicles and components through corrosion.
Lithium grease has anti-corrosive qualities that make it an asset in a marine environment. The grease acts as a seal that prevents corrosive forces, like rust, from taking root.
It can be applied to a wide range of equipment exposed to excessive moisture and the elements including boats and their wheel bearings, steering systems and propeller shafts, but also for boat trailers, winch gears, throttle lines, pulleys and cables.
Lithium-based marine greases are water-resistant and anti-corrosion. They also have high temperature resistance and can provide protection from shock loading.
Whether it’s used on water transport on shoreline equipment subject to extreme weather and excessive moisture, lithium grease is often a reliable solution.
Agricultural applications for lithium grease
An ideal option for serving machinery and vehicles used outdoors that must cope with a wide range of environmental conditions, lithium grease is a mainstay lubricating solution.
Iron-based metals like stainless steel are used for a variety of mechanical farm solutions, but are susceptible to rust (iron oxide) when exposed to oxygen and moisture. Rust makes metal brittle, leading to equipment damage and breakdowns that can result in safety hazards and expensive repairs and replacement parts.
Grease made with lithium soap can protect vehicles like tractors, cherry pickers and harvesters – and their hard-to-reach components – as well as hand-held tools and stationery plant machinery from rust, but also from dust, debris and other contaminants that can impair performance.
Work patterns in the agricultural industry are often driven by the seasons. As a result, some equipment will not see active use all year-round.
Lithium grease can be applied to vehicles and tools before they are put into storage, keeping parts lubricated and sealed against corrosion. This means that when equipment re-enters service, it is in excellent condition and ready to use.
Farming operations often use equipment of different ages and rely on multi-purpose solutions that are suitable for vehicles and machinery, from old to new, for more cost-effective lubrication. Being able to order a single lubricant rather than many different types streamlines orders, deliveries, storage and usage, cutting costs.
Industrial applications for lithium grease
Regular or “industrial grease” is more often used in heavy duty industrial environments, and is tailored to specific applications and operating conditions. However, most industrial sites will still have a regular supply of lithium grease for lighter lubricating and maintenance tasks.
Household applications for lithium grease
Ideal for light lubrication needs around the home, using lithium grease in a household environment has many advantages. Available in an easy-to-use spray, it’s simple to store and apply.
Homes have many fixtures and features that involve metal-on-metal contact, from door and gate hinges to tools to tidy gardens. Grease ensures fitting can function smoothly, reducing squeaking noises and preventing premature wear.
Metal equipment and mechanisms located or used outside is subject to air and moisture, which can corrode materials. Grease creates a non-corrosive film over equipment that defends it against rust. As lithium grease holds its position longer than oil, it also makes maintenance tasks less frequent.
While it isn’t suitable for the most intense industrial operations, the properties of lithium grease make it a jack of all trades in the lubricating world, and an asset for sites seeking a multi-purpose solution. Consequently, it is perhaps the most widely used grease on the market today, and can be found globally serving on farms, in marine applications and around the home.
