Have you considered how high-temperature grease and standard grease differ? A range of greases are used in industrial lubrication, and each has its own purpose. High-temperature greases are specifically formulated to tolerate demanding conditions and extreme heat. As such, they are a critical solution for use in a wide range of applications. In the following sections, we’ll explore what sets these highly specialised lubricants apart from conventional grease.
High-temperature grease vs standard grease
Today, cutting-edge high-temperature lubricating greases are available from top brands such as Petronas and Fuchs. These advanced lubricants are expressly engineered to resist separation when subjected to intense heat, ensuring they do not melt and can continue to perform their role even at extremely high temperatures.
Standard grease cannot cope with such high temperatures and starts to break down. As it thins out, it loses its lubricating properties.
Formulation differences
What sets high-temperature grease apart from standard grease is its formulation.
Base oils are the foundation of every grease. While standard grease uses mineral oils that evaporate and break down at higher temperatures, high-temperature grease has a synthetic base, such as silicone, PAO or esters, giving it superior oxidation and thermal stability.
Thickeners are what make a grease semi-solid instead of an oil. High-temperature grease uses high dropping-point thickening agents such as lithium complex, polyurea and calcium sulphonate, which help it resist melting, while standard greases use basic metal soaps such as calcium and lithium as thickeners.
While both types of grease feature additives, high-temperature formulations include specialised inhibitors that help prevent carbonisation, hardening and rapid oxidation when the grease must work under extreme thermal stress.
When to use standard and high-temperature grease
High-temperature grease is designed to work under continuous extreme heat, potentially at 250°C or higher depending on the formulation, while standard grease is better suited to everyday operating conditions.
It is worth noting that high-temperature grease is not always the best choice at lower operating temperatures, as some formulations may be too viscous to provide effective lubrication in those conditions.
Similarly, standard grease is not suitable for high-temperature applications where it may lose its base oil, break down and ultimately cause lubrication failure.
Always select the most appropriate lubricant for the specific operating temperature range and application.
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