Infusible greases are a type of lubricating grease that is characterized by its high resistance to high temperatures. They are formulated with an inert thickener that does not degrade at high temperatures.
Infusible greases have a dropping point above 300 °C and can be used in applications with operating temperatures that can reach and exceed even 400 °C, depending on the solid additive used.
Lithium greases, on the other hand, are formulated with a thickener based on lithium soaps. The dropping point of lithium greases is between 180 °C and 200 °C, and can be used in applications with operating temperatures that can reach 250 °C.
The better performance of infusible greases over lithium greases for high-temperature applications is due to several factors:
- High resistance to high temperatures: Infusible greases have a dropping point above 300 °C, while lithium greases have a dropping point between 180 °C and 200 °C. This means that infusible greases can be used in applications with operating temperatures that can reach 400 °C, while lithium greases can be used in applications with operating temperatures that can reach 250 °C.
- Chemical and thermal stability: Infusible greases are characterized by good chemical and thermal stability. This means that they are less prone to degradation at high temperatures and retain their lubricating properties for longer periods of time than lithium greases.
- Resistance to high pressures: Infusible greases have good resistance to high pressures. This means that they are able to support higher loads without losing their ability to lubricate.
- Resistance to water and humidity: Infusible greases are characterized by good resistance to water and humidity. This means that they are less prone to detachment from surfaces in the presence of water or humidity.
In conclusion, infusible greases are the ideal solution for high-temperature applications. They offer superior performance to lithium greases in terms of high-temperature resistance, chemical and thermal stability, resistance to high pressures, and resistance to water and humidity.
Here are some examples of applications where infusible greases are particularly suitable:
- Mechanical engineering industries: bearings, joints, transmissions, pumps, electric motors
- Chemical and petrochemical industries: refineries, power plants, polymer production plants
- Aerospace and defense: airplanes, helicopters, missiles, ships
- Solar and wind energy: wind turbines, solar panels
To achieve the best results in high-temperature applications, it is important to use the most suitable infusible grease for the specific application. It is necessary to consider factors such as operating temperature, type of load, and environment in which the grease will be used.