In the world of industrial machinery and equipment, prevention is key to avoiding costly maintenance issues. One of the best-kept secrets to achieving this is the proper use of quality lubricating greases. These humble substances can make the difference between smooth, efficient operation and a nightmare of breakdowns and unexpected expenses.

Why Do Lubricating Greases Matter?

Lubricating greases are not just an “extra” in maintenance. They are like the oil in a door hinge: invisible but essential. Here’s why you should pay attention to them:

Reduced Friction and Wear: Moving metal surfaces are subject to constant friction and wear. Lubricating greases form a protective film that reduces friction and minimizes wear. This prolongs the life of components and reduces the need for costly replacements.

Corrosion Protection: Lubricating greases also protect against corrosion. Imagine a bearing exposed to water or humidity. Without the protective grease layer, corrosion could damage it irreversibly.

Sealing and Isolation: Lubricating greases seal and isolate moving parts. This prevents the entry of contaminants (such as dust and particles) and keeps the lubricant in place.

Practical Examples of Long-Term Savings

1. Industrial Bearings:: A faulty bearing can cause costly production downtime. By choosing the right grease and maintaining it regularly, you can extend the bearing’s life and avoid costly downtime.
2. Agricultural Machinery:: Imagine a harvester in the middle of harvest season. If the gears are not well lubricated, they can seize up or wear out quickly. An investment in quality greases can save thousands of dollars in repairs and replacements.
3. Commercial Vehicles:: Trucks, buses, and heavy machinery rely on lubricating greases to operate smoothly. A well-lubricated engine consumes less fuel and requires fewer repairs. That translates into significant savings over time!

The next time you think about maintaining your equipment, don’t underestimate the power of lubricating greases. Investing in quality products can prevent costly problems and keep your machines running optimally. So, lubricate intelligently and save on maintenance costs!
At Lubral, we have products to meet your lubrication needs. Request advice at contacto@lubral.com

Lubricating greases play a crucial role in maintaining and ensuring the efficient operation of machinery and equipment. Often underestimated, these products offer essential protection against wear and guarantee optimal performance. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of what you need to know about lubricating greases.

What is a Lubricating Grease?

A lubricating grease is a semi-solid mixture primarily composed of oil and thickeners. This unique combination gives it exceptional properties for lubricating and protecting moving surfaces, such as bearings and gears.

Key Components: Base Oil and Thickener

The base oil forms the primary structure of the grease, to which thickeners and additives are added to enhance its properties. It can be of mineral, vegetable, or synthetic origin. The choice of base oil type directly influences the grease’s performance, with synthetic oils often considered superior in terms of efficiency, protection, and resistance.

Thickeners, on the other hand, act as the “glue” that maintains the grease’s structure. They determine crucial characteristics such as dropping point, limiting use temperature, water resistance, and shear stability. Simple and complex soaps, containing lithium, calcium, aluminum, sodium, and barium, are the most common thickeners.

Primary Functions: Protection and Efficiency

Lubricating greases perform various fundamental functions, the most notable being:

• Wear Reduction: Lubricating grease acts as a protective barrier, reducing wear and extending the life of mechanical components.
• Oxidation Prevention: Prevents oil oxidation, thereby safeguarding equipment against potential damage and ensuring consistent performance.
• Improved Fluidity: Contributes to improved lubricant fluidity, facilitating uniform distribution in critical areas.
• Correction of Deficiencies: Addresses potential performance issues in the grease, ensuring smooth and efficient operation.

Applications and Considerations

Lubricating greases are used in a wide range of applications, from industrial machinery to automotive vehicles. It is crucial to select the appropriate grease based on operating conditions, load, speed, and other application-specific factors.

In summary, lubricating greases are essential elements for maintaining machinery in optimal condition. Understanding their key components, functions, and applications will enable you to choose the right grease for your specific needs, ensuring reliable and long-lasting performance of your equipment.

At Lubral, we understand the importance of selecting the right lubricating grease. We have qualified personnel to advise you on selecting products that meet your specific needs. Our range of quality products guarantees reliable and long-lasting performance for your equipment.

Request advice through our email: contacto@lubral.com

Effective lubrication is a cornerstone of optimal machinery and equipment performance across various industrial applications. In this context, the National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI) emerges as a pivotal organization, dedicated to supporting and disseminating relevant information to foster the development of superior lubricating greases for the market. This article aims to establish the NLGI’s fundamental role, its grease classifications and specifications, and the certifications derived from these standards, providing a deeper understanding for end-users.

NLGI: Pioneers in Lubricating Grease Standards

Founded in 1933, the NLGI plays a vital role in promoting research and development in lubricating greases. It focuses on establishing standards and certifications that guide both manufacturers and end-users, ensuring the quality and performance of lubricating greases.

NLGI Classifications and Specifications: Guaranteeing Quality and Performance

In 1989, the NLGI developed a set of classifications and specifications for automotive lubricating greases based on ASTM D4950, divided into two primary categories:

1. Chassis Lubricants (Letter Designation L): Designed for chassis applications in vehicles, with two letter designations: LA and LB.
2. Designed for chassis applications in vehicles, with two letter designations: LA and LB. Intended for wheel bearings, with three letter designations: GA, GB, and GC.

In the automotive industry, the highest performance classification in each group (GC and LB) is ideal for service re-lubrication, designed for greases that meet the most stringent standards for chassis and wheel bearing lubricants.

Recently (2021), NLGI introduced the HPM certification, designed for greases meeting demanding performance requirements set by NLGI. As of February 2024, 23 products have been certified, with LUBRAL being the first Mexican company and the 14th worldwide to achieve this certification.

 

High Performance Multipurpose Grease (HPM) Certification

The NLGI HPM certification is a performance specification for versatile greases used in various applications requiring similar lubrication properties. This certification incorporates a primary HPM CORE specification and four labels representing enhanced performance levels in critical areas:

1. Water Resistance (HPM + WR):  Designed for greases with superior water resistance.
2. Corrosion Resistance (HPM + CR): Designed for greases exhibiting superior corrosion resistance.
3. High Load Capacity (HPM + HL):  Designed for greases demonstrating exceptional load-carrying capacity.
4. Low-Temperature Performance (HPM + LT): Designed for greases exhibiting outstanding performance in low-temperature conditions.

The HPM certification applies to any thickener type (soap or non-soap), meaning there are no restrictions on raw materials such as base oil, additives, or manufacturing processes to obtain a high-performance multipurpose grease certification.

These certifications serve as seals of approval, indicating that products have been evaluated and meet the industry’s most rigorous standards.
For accurate and up-to-date information on NLGI product certifications, please visit their website (https://www.nlgi.org/certifications/).