Basic grease
There are three components that form lubricating grease. These components are oil, thickener and additives. The base oil and additive package are the major components in grease formulations, and as such, exert considerable influence on the behaviour of the grease. The thickener is often referred to as a sponge that holds the lubricant (base oil plus additives).
Base Oil
Most greases produced today use mineral oil as their fluid components. These mineral oil-based greases typically provide satisfactory performance in most industrial applications. In temperature extremes (low or high), a grease that utilizes a synthetic base oil will provide better stability.
Thickener
The thickener is a material that, in combination with the selected lubricant, will produce the solid to semifluid structure. The primary type of thickener used in current grease is metallic soap. These soaps include lithium, aluminium, clay, polyurea, sodium and calcium. Lately, complex thickener-type greases are gaining popularity. They are being selected because of their high dropping points and excellent load-carrying abilities.
Complex greases are made by combining the conventional metallic soap with a complexing agent. The most widely used complex grease is lithium based. Non-soap thickeners are also gaining popularity in special applications such as high-temperature environments. There is a misconception however, that even though the thickener may be able to withstand the high temperatures, the base oil will oxidize quickly at elevated temperatures, thus requiring a frequent re-lube interval.
| Thickener Type | Application |
| Straight Lithium | Versatile and less expensive than the Li Complex. Should not be used over 275 F. |
| Lithium Complex | Most versatile thickener for wide variety of industrial and automotive applications. Used up to 350 F. Does not have H1 approval and is not used as food grade grease. |
| Aluminium Complex | Good high-temperature and water-resistant properties. Used in steel and paper mills. Most common food grade thickener with H1 approval. Used up to 350 F. |
| Polyurea | Excellent oxidative resistance because of non-metallic thickener. Grease of choice for electric motors and sealed-for-life applications. Use up to 350 F. |
| Organophilic clay | Non-melt resulting in good high-temperature properties along with H1 approval for food grade. Used in oven conveyers. Used up to 350 F. |
| Calcium Complex | Good water resistance and H1 approval. Used in steel and paper mills. Also used in food plants. Used up to 350 F. |
| Calcium Sulfonate | Very good inherent corrosion resistance and high EP along with H1 approval, but expensive because of high thickener content. Used in food grade, corrosive and high-load environments. Used up to 350 F. |
| Sodium | Inexpensive and used where good adhesion and corrosion protection required. Cannot be used in presence of water and limited to 250 F |
Additives
Additives can play several roles in a lubricating grease. These primarily include enhancing the existing desirable properties, suppressing the existing undesirable properties, and imparting new properties. The most common additives are oxidation and rust inhibitors, extreme pressure, anti-wear, and friction-reducing agents. In addition to these additives, boundary lubricants such as molybdenum di-sulphide (moly) or graphite may be suspended in the grease to reduce friction and wear without adverse chemical reactions to the metal surfaces during heavy loading and slow speeds.
Content Taken From : https://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/1352/grease-basics