If you are working with vehicles or other similar types of machinery, you will come across the need to use grease thickeners. However, it can be quite confusing as you can find many different forms of grease thickeners available out there in the market. This is why you should have a complete understanding on what grease thickeners are all about. The best approach to safeguard your equipment and keep it operating longer is using grease thickeners. We’ve put up an exhaustive tutorial to help you get started since grease thickeners may be a bit perplexing.
What are grease thickeners?
A thickening is the solution if you want to increase the viscosity of your grease. These additives are added to lubricating greases to improve a product’s lubricity and aid in stabilizing it. Depending on how much you need them to thicken your product, you may use them as either an addition or a foundation material.
Why use thickeners for grease?
There are numerous reasons on why you will come across the need to use grease thickeners. One of the main reasons out of them is to reduce the quantity of oil found within grease. This thickens your greases, which may assist you accomplish a variety of goals. Let’s continue to explore some of the applications that you can experience with the help of using grease thickeners.
Cut down on the quantity of oil your system needs
You may use less oil overall and yet maintain sufficient lubrication for all system components by adding a thickening to your grease. This is particularly useful if your equipment is exposed to extreme heat or other factors that might cause normal-strength greases to be excessively thin.
Ensure better lubrication and stop leaks
Sinopec noted that with less chance of an O-ring seal around a valve stem being pinched off by two pieces touching each other directly rather than being cushioned by fluid between them, the increased viscosity helps keep particles suspended so they don’t settle out into pools or layers on top of each other. This would happen because both surfaces are trying their best not come into contact. Additionally, it decreases wear by preventing friction between moving elements such as gears and shafts in engines and motors, keeping everything functioning smoothly over time without compromising any essential components.
Different types of grease thickeners
There are several kinds of thickeners, and each has advantages and applications of its own. Let’s explore the most prominent types of grease thickeners that you can find out there.
The most popular kind of thickening used in cooking is an additive. They are often used to thicken or raise the viscosity of liquids without altering their colour or flavor. Examples include pectin, which comes from citrus fruits and is used as a gelling agent for jams and jellies, arrowroot powder and corn flour (both starches), which can be added directly to hot water before being cooked into sauces or soups, and gelatin, which is made from animal collagen that has been boiled down into a paste and then mixed with cold water until it cools.
What are the applications of grease thickeners?
Lithium is one of the most often utilised grease thickeners in automobiles. The exceptional water resistance and high temperature stability of lithium greases make them perfect for use in automotive applications. They may be employed in a variety of situations, from light-duty to heavy-duty ones, and are also quite adaptable.
Calcium sulfonate is another widely used grease thickening. This kind of grease is renowned for providing exceptional rust and corrosion protection, making it the perfect choice for usage in severe conditions like maritime settings. It also has good resistance to water and other pollutants and is particularly stable at high temperatures.
Vehicles often use polyurea grease thickeners. These thickeners have a reputation for being very stable and having a high level of resistance to oxidation and other types of deterioration. They are also incredibly adaptable and have a broad variety of uses, from industrial to automotive.
There are several Speciality thickeners that are utilised in certain applications in addition to these typical grease thickeners. For instance, molybdenum disulfide is often used in applications with high temperatures and intense pressure, such as heavy-duty trucks and mining machinery.
How do you choose a grease conditioner or thickener?
Choosing a grease thickening or conditioner that is suitable with your grease, application, and equipment is all that is required to make the appropriate choice. Here are some things to think about if you’re unsure of what sort of thickener or conditioner to put in your plant:
Are you aiming to perform better? If so, search for an additive that may lessen wear and friction on moving components. Solid lubricants like graphite and molybdenum disulfide may be used in this. (MoS2). In high-temperature applications like power generation plants, where extreme temperatures can cause oils and greases used in machinery components like bearings to fail prematurely due to their low viscosity levels, these compounds offer an additional layer of protection against corrosion while also improving viscosity.
How to use grease thickeners?
A substance that may be added to greases to thicken them is known as a grease thickening. Depending on the kind of grease you’re using, lubricants are blended with solvents and other components like soap and water. Grease is often used to moving components or equipment in industrial settings. For instance, if you want to lubricate the engine block of your automobile to prevent it from seizing up while you drive over bumps in the road.
Grease thickeners are different from conditioners since they don’t provide your finished product any lubricating properties; instead, they just make it thicker so that it adheres to the surface you’re putting it on more effectively. Depending on the sort of application you need, there are many kinds of grease thickeners available:
Final words
You now possess all the knowledge necessary to choose the ideal grease thickeners for your application. You are familiar with their nature, significance, and operation. Additionally, you are aware of their pricing and where to get them.
