What is the difference between EP1 and EP2 greases?

Extreme pressure (EP) grease products from brands like Q8Oils, among others, are heavy-duty lubricants. They are deployed to prevent metal-on-metal contact, mitigate severe wear and tear and prevent component welding in equipment subjected to slow sliding movements, heavy loads and shock loads.

These specialised greases achieve this result through chemical additives included in their formulations, like molybdenum disulphide sulphur-phosphorus, that can effectively adhere to metal surfaces when working under high friction heat conditions. There are two different types of extreme pressure greases, EP1 and EP2, and here we discuss their differences in detail and the applications they are commonly used in.

EP1 grease

While both EP1 and EP2 greases are semi-solid lubricants, their consistency is different.

EP1 grease is a softer and less viscous product. Its more fluid-like composition makes it a better choice when a lubricant that flows easier is desired, as it can travel into small distribution lines and extremely confined spaces in systems that require lubrication.

This also means EP1 grease has enhanced pumpability compared to its counterpart, and as a result, it can flow more efficiently when working with longer feed lines, centralised lubrication systems and in low-temperature operating conditions.

EP2 grease

Offering its own advantages, EP2 grease is largely considered the most popular grease for general use. Much thicker in consistency, its viscous composition means it adheres to the surfaces and stays in place longer than EP1 grease. As such, it is a sought-after solution when a grease is needed that can cope with shock vibrations, heavier loads and extreme pressures. It also means it can keep its coveted viscosity at warmer operating temperatures and is the recommended grease for heavy-duty industrial operations.

Do you need an EP grease supplier you can trust?

If you require extreme pressure semi-solid lubricants to match your operating requirements, you can rely on Oil Store for both EP1 greases and EP2 greases. Explore our products or connect with us for further information.

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