"Water compatibility of lubricating greases"
The search for the right lubricating grease for your business revolves around one critical consideration: what will its application scope be?
Greases are used for the lubrication and protection of mechanical parts as an alternative to or as a substitute for liquid lubricants, but as they are "pseudo-plastic" fluids, it is very important to study their characteristics well to be sure to have a proper water-resistant grease.
Categories of water compatible grease
There are three most functional categories:
- graphite grease, ideal for all moving parts (rollers, bearings, joints, etc.), offers excellent protection against water, rust and dust, in addition to ensuring a perfect seal at high temperatures
- lithium grease, less technical than graphite grease, also has good resistance to water and rust, but is subject to a faster lubricating power decrease in more extreme conditions
- aluminum grease, specially designed to operate in environments with a strong presence of water and humidity, it is made of a base of complex aluminum soaps to which zinc oxide is added.
- silicone grease, a completely synthetic water-repellent lubricating solution characterized by the widest operating temperature range in full functionality compared to mineral organic solutions.
Water resistant grease: when to use it
There are many sectors and products in which a good water-compatible grease is required.
Bathroom fixtures, for example, require a lubricant with high water resistance capable of guaranteeing excellent functionality over time, but above all that does not turn out to be toxic in the event of accidental contact with the drinking water used by people. for this reason, for the lubrication of these devices, specific certifications are necessary in accordance with the regulations in force in the countries where the components are installed: WRAS, ACS, NSF.
Worse still if it were to happen with a small child. For this reason these types of grease are also used in the construction of slides, water and otherwise, and other games and rides designed for the enjoyment of the little ones installed mainly outside and therefore subject to atmospheric agents such as rain.
Other fields of application of a water-resistant grease are the shipbuilding and motorboat industries, and the mining industry, where they are used a lot to better lubricate the machinery ropes.
Water resistant grease: characteristics
In general, a lubricating grease is very useful when:
- you need to ensure the functioning of moving parts
- you want to protect your components from rust
- you want to ensure heat dispersion
- you need to limit the wear of machinery
- strong stresses and high loads are constant.
But if we are talking about a water-resistant grease, it is important to take into account additional elements to be sure to choose the right product for your needs that allows your machine to last over time with high performance:
- excellent water repellency
- excellent wear protection
- excellent resistance to corrosion
- great adhesiveness
- thermal stability.
