. . . Grease Barium Complex is a technologically advanced range of barium complex soap based greases enhanced with excellent resistance to water washout, aging and acid and alkaline solutions. Today, with not only the aforementioned thickeners - but also complex soaps, polyurea, calcium sulfonate and even more exotic thickeners used in many greases - the issue of compatibility has become much more complicated. . 3.3. . . . . Thus, choosing a new grease that is compatible with the existing one can save a lot of time and money. . . . . . . "Why Does This Sump Smell?" . . . clay non-soap . . . . . . It is wear resistant for use in a wide range of bearings.. NLGI viscosity grade is a rating of a grease's consistency. . First, the base oil (not the PU thickener) and any seal agents in the recipe will determine suitability for rubber/EPDM concerns. . . . I=Incompatible, C=Compatible, and B=Borderline. . . . . . The resulting grease carries unknown performance characteristics (load, temperature stability, shear, etc.). . . . . . . To add to the confusion, there are some grease specifications that are based solely on grease performance without regard to grease composition. . . . Common non-soap thickeners include polyurea, organophilic clay, fumed silica, fluoropolymers, and others. . . Coolant Sump Odor; What to Do . . . . . Grease compatibility is often confusing to grease users, even though most grease manufacturers produce compatibility charts. Simply mixing two greases together to observe changes may not provide any obvious difference. Uncommonly, even greases of the same type, although normally . lithium complex. . . . . Table 1. . . . It is necessary to perform compatibility testing on combinations of these greases to determine whether the greases can be mixed in service. . . . . . This is because the charts from the various manufacturers often disagree with one another on certain thickener-type combinations. Lithium and calcium soaps were compatible with one another, and neither was particularly good when mixed with a clay-based grease. . . . . . . . . Greases based on simple lithium soaps (lithium stearate or lithium 12-hydroxy stearate) and lithium complex soaps may or may not be compatible with polyurea greases. . . . . . . . . The remaining 10% to 20% of a finished grease is made up of thickeners and additives, both of which contribute to the . Grease labeling according to standards . How Can Oil Leak Dye Pinpoint Leaks . . Not all manufacturers agree with the thickener combinations, in the past when manufacturers used clay and soaps as the primary thickeners grease compatibility was more straightforward. . . . . . The compatibility of greases is most often related to the thickener type. . . However, this may not be necessary if the two greases in question are compatible with one another. . . However, these charts rarely tell the whole story, even just in terms of the thickener compatibility. . . Consistent lubrication frequency, without over- lubricating, also promotes a smooth transition. For Commercial Greases If this can not be carried out, Table 1: Grease Compatibility Generic Chart NOTE: This matrix is based on information commonly used in industry. . When switching greases, it is important to understand thickener compatibility to make sure the new grease does not fail. Coolant Smell: Lubricant Solutions . . . Coolant Concentration . . Greases are considered to be compatible if the following conditions are met: Consistency of the mixture following temperature elevation is comparable to the change in consistency of the individual greases under the same conditions. The areas highlighted in yellow indicate values of concern. Mixing greases in a system can cause issues with thickener systems reacting with each other. . . . The efforts to avoid mixing where possible and to test mixtures for compatibility issues as well as taking the appropriate actions will be an investment in reliability that will pay dividends. . . Table 6. . . Choosing the Best Water Solution for Your Machine Shop: Is it Reverse Osmosis? . The thickener defines the type of grease (see Fig. . . According to thickener type . . . . . . . . . . . If those properties of the mixtures compare favorably to whichever of the individual greases performs worse, they are considered compatible. However, the commonality ends there. Suitable for long-term lubrication by virtue of low oil evaporation and low tendency towards oxidation. . . Compatibility testing is always the best option, since the base oil and elastomer must also be taken into consideration. . . . . Some polyurea thickeners are completely compatible with lithium and lithium complex thickeners, while other polyurea thickeners are definitely incompatible with the lithium and lithium complex thickeners. . The grease fitting also merits inspection for contaminants and should also be wiped clean. . The reason being, some polyurea thickeners are completely compatible with lithium and lithium complex thickeners, while others are incompatible. Compatibility between greases is based on three factors: thickener type, base oil, and additives. . hbspt.cta.load(3951034, 'c99217f3-09e7-4751-bc3a-7739dac44a0e', {}); Unboxing: perma ULTRA Automatic Lubrication System, Product Unboxing - Simalube Single-Point Automatic Lubricators, How to Calculate Grease Quantity and Frequency for Bearings, Spectro Scientific FluidScan 1100 - Handheld Infrared Oil Analyzer, Shell Turbine Oil with Gas To Liquid Technology (Turbo S4 X & GX), How to Cost Justify a Lubrication Program, How to Determine Grease Compatibility and Why It's Important. . Technical Help Desk 6 Jun 2017. This generally allows for smooth operation of equipment. . . . . . . . The base oil lubricates, reducing friction between moving surfaces; this is exactly the same role that the base oil plays in a lubricant oil. . . . . . . This is due to following capabilities: Outstanding rust and corrosion protection. Vacuum pumps. . Grease compatibility problems may be immediately apparent in observable changes to the lubricant. . . According to most grease compatibility charts, polyurea greases are compatible with each other, and such a transition would be allowed. . . . Even when all plant personnel are given clear guidance on using the correct products, equipment may be returned to the facility with a grease that is different than what will be added while in service. . . The rheological values for the two worked reference samples and the 50-50 worked mixture, with the values of concern in yellow. . . . Accurate Lubricants & Metalworking Fluids, Inc. 403 Homestead Avenue; Dayton, Ohio 45417 USA Phone: 937-461-9906 Fax: 937-461-9917 . . . . . . . Goodbye, Tramp Oil Tramp Oil Contamination Is Not Inevitable . Fantastic put on and intense stress safety. The explanation lies in the fact that with the deterioration of oil and thickener compatibility, the solubility of the latter decreases; the volume fraction of the thickener particles . . . . . . . . . . The most likely result is a change in consistency or increased oil bleeding, especially under shear stress. . . with Optimal Water Quality . . . Whether two different greases are compatible will depends mostly on the compatibility of the thickener used in the two products (although base oil compatibility can also be a consideration). Grease, however, may be more difficult to purge. These greases are very comparable based on their consistency and viscosity of the base oils. . . . . Mixing different greases, even those with similar thickener types, can lead to ineffective lubrication and result in component damage. . All personnel involved in applying grease to equipment should be trained and receive instruction on the proper product to use on each piece of equipment and the location. . . Other mixtures harden initially and lead to component load issues and poor grease motility. . . Thickeners may be fibrous, spherical or platelets, and have an impact on the final grease properties. When changing grease thickener types in an application, always consult your lubricant supplier on the compatibility of a proposed product with one that's being replaced. . . . If greases of different thickener types (both of which meet the performance requirements of the specification) get mixed in service, dire consequences can result. . Viscosity Grade Comparisons . Two greases are considered incompatible when these properties or performance criteria are substantially inferior to both of the unmixed, constituent grease. . . . . . . . TOYO GREASE recommends that all grease be removed from the application prior to changing greases. . . . Sometimes these changes are not immediately apparent, and become obvious only with diminished equipment performance. . . . . Our high-quality additive chemistry will meet your specific needs for thickener compatibility, environmental responsibility and cost effectiveness. NLGI 2 is about the consistency of peanut butter.. Mineral-oil-based grease, derived from petroleum, is usually more economical than synthetic-oil-based grease. . . . . A significant portion of grease lubrication failures can be attributed to mixing greases in a system without taking into consideration compatibility. and the proportions in which they are mixed. Also, while lithium thickener remains the most prolific, a greater variety of other thickeners are becoming available due to lithium demands for batteries. . This can change the physical and chemical structure of the grease, causing an inability to hold or release the base oil. . . . . . . . . . . . . . The upper operating limit for a grease is usually recommended to be 100-150F lower than the dropping point. The compatibility of polyurea greases with soap-thickened greases is probably the most debated area of grease compatibility today. . . Therefore, you never need to add more grease to increase mobility. . Likewise, when greases are mixed where the base oil viscosities are significantly different, the resulting mixture will not be optimized for the application. . . . . . . . . . Figure 1. This is because the charts from the various manufacturers often disagree with one another on certain thickener-type combinations. . . . For the purpose of testing grease mixtures, the 25-75, 50-50 and 75-25 ratios are packed sequentially into the bearing by hand, and the adjacent housing area is packed half full. The values measured include the yield stress, which can predict the hardening or softening the grease may undergo; the oscillation stress, which can give insight into the likelihood of oil separation and other effects; and recoverable compliance, which can help to identify those mixtures that might experience channeling or tunneling in the equipment housing. . . However, grease technology has changed significantly over the years, and there are many examples of performance that contradict several widely used compatibility charts. . . . . . . 3. Wide service-temperature range (-45C to 180C; for short periods up to 200C) Suitable for very high rotational speeds (DN value 750,000) Good oxidation . . 3.2.5. . . Specific properties of greases can dictate suitability for use. Maximize Fluid Performance . lithium. . . . . . . . Contains no lead or nickel. . Once two greases are determined to be compatible in the above three areas, further testing to determine the impact on other performance parameters of the products may be warranted. . Grease compatibility charts have been developed and circulated since the 1980s without much alteration. . . . . . . Most OEM, industry and supplier recommendations suggest performing a compatibility test to assess the risk of mixing two greases. . Grease compatibility charts (such as the one pictured below) can only help compare the thickener types of greases. . . . . . . . . . . . The Grease Compatibility Charts found in company and . . The ability of this testing to adequately predict in-service mixtures may be reasonably questioned. Grease Compatibility Chart Mixing greases in a system can cause issues with thickener systems reacting with each other. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. . . . . . . . . Cost and Other Considerations When purchasing a grease, a basic lithium grease will be cheaper than a sophisticated polyurea grease. . . Grease is a combination of thickener, oil, and additives. For those mixtures that prove to be incompatible, the extra effort must be taken to thoroughly clean all traces of grease from the housing, supply lines and bearings/gears to ensure long life and reliable machinery operation. Greases are classified into two major families: soap and non-soap thickeners. . . . . Low noise. 2. . . . Grease of #2 consistency rated GC (for wheel bearings) and LB (for chassis) is good. . . . . . Soaps can be grease thickeners, while non-soap thickeners include polyurea, organophilic clays (e.g., bentonite) and other materials. . . Some grease is compatible with other grease type, while some may not be able to perform the same. . . . . . . 2017 by Accurate Lubricants & Metalworking Fluids, Inc. located in Dayton, Ohio U.S. All rights reserved. While the compatibility of oil products is largely related to the base and additives, grease compatibility is connected to the types of thickeners used. . . . . . . . . Polyurea greases are also characterized by dropping points above 250 C and low oil separation. 2 is Cenex's Poly-Xtreme, a high-temperature polyurea grease. . . . 5.2 There are two approaches to evaluating the compatibility of grease mixtures. Soap-based thickeners are produced from an acid base reaction. . . Greases with same thickener type . . . The change in consistency of the mixture following elevated temperature storage is within the range of the change in consistency of the individual greases following elevated temperature storage. . . So that tells us that the kind of thickeners used to make the grease will dictate how high its dropping point is. . Simple soaps are the most . . . Lithium complex is the thickener that is most compatible with other thickeners. However, the unreliability of these charts and the complex interaction of base oils, additives and grease thickeners require that a more certain approach be employed for optimal equipment performance. . . . . These charts are readily available in published papers, periodicals and Web pages. However, grease technology has changed significantly over the years, and there are many . . . . . . . Many mixtures will initially soften, often to the point of migration through seals or away from lubricated surfaces. . . When a grease mixture is introduced into a machine, such as a motor bearing, it will undergo significant mixing and working in a relatively short period of time. . . . However, there are three components to any formulated grease: the base oil, the additives and the thickener. . . . . . . . . . For example, one chart indicated that barium-complex grease is compatible with clay-thickened grease, while others suggested this mixture is incompatible. . While some lithium complex and polyurea greases are indeed compatible, it's difficult to know which ones are for sure without a compatibility test. Excellent for antifriction bearings, wheel bearings, factory sealed ball bearings, and some flexible couplings. 2). . In order for a grease to change state, one thing that has to happen is the soap matrix needs to break down, to degrade. Polyurea greases offer excellent performance in industrial equipment. . . Compatibility within this test is defined as the characteristic of greases to be mixed together without significant degradation of properties or performance. . . . . . . . . Finally, the grease is tested in a controlled stress rheometer to identify changes in flow and shear properties as compared to the original products. . The thickener determines the compatibility of greases. . . . . . You also need to consider the operating conditions of the grease (temperature, sheer rate, etc.) . 1. . . . . . . According to capability to bear high loads . . . . Incompatibility of thickener systems, which is the most commonly asked question. . . . . . JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. from every lubricant and other critical fluid you buy, and avoid the common pitfalls that can cost you money. . While reacting additives will not settle to the bottom in grease, as is the concern in oil, the changes can cause problems, impacting additive effectiveness and in some cases creating corrosive conditions in the grease. . . . . . . . . . The following properties are impacted by the chosen thickener: . . . . . . Different types of greases are typically formulated with three grease components: base oil, thickener and additives. . . . This kind of lubricant is just perfect for dealing with compatibility. . . . . . For this reason, the mixture was not permitted at the facility, and the decision was made to keep two greases in place until the motors could be removed and thoroughly cleaned of the existing product. . . . and Save Money? . . . . . . . Grease compatibility charts (such as the one pictured below) can only help compare the thickener types of greases. When it comes to lubrication in industrial plants, most maintenance people strive for consistency the use of the same products over a long period of time. A mixture of greases introduced in a common ball bearing operating at 1,750 revolutions per minute will see nearly 30 million mixing and working events in just three days of operation. to Lubricate Plain Bearings? . . . Therefore, it is important to consider the type of base oil in the grease when determining compatibility. . . . This compares to the 60 double strokes utilized to mix and work the binary mixture evaluated in the standard. . Good chemical resistance. Compatibility between greases is based on three factors: thickener type, base oil, and additives. . Table 2 shows the product information for both greases tested. . The mechanical stability of the mixture is within the range of consistency of the individual greases. 3.2.3. This underscores the challenge of finding a single authoritative chart to be used with confidence when making decisions regarding grease mixing. . Acculube's Compatibility Chart For Commercial Greases, Talk with Us Today . . Irritant Contact Dermatitis: How to . . . . . . lithium stearate. To learn more about NLGI, visit www.nlgi.org. . . . . . Made with moisture-resistant thickeners, this grease stays in place in wet environments. Existing one can Save a lot of time and money the acid is a di-urea bearing grease DuPont. Rate, etc. ) charts from the various manufacturers often disagree with one another and lithium and! 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