Mixing different types of greases
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When you start to use a new grease in an application, it is important to know whether the new and the old grease are compatible. This depends on whether the thickener and/or the base oil can mix with each other. A number of things can happen when two different greases are mixed:
- Nothing, i.e. the two greases are miscible
- The grease mix hardens, which can be devastating in, say, a central lubrication system
- The grease mix softens. The soap structure is broken down and the greases are not miscible. This can cause leakage and bearing failure
- We can help with miscibility tests ahead of product changes to avoid problems in advance. Feel free to contact us if you need help.
Thickeners - miscibility
Thickener | Li | LiX | Ca | CaH | CaX | CaSX | Clay | ALX | BaX | PU | Na | NW |
Lithium (Li) | + | o | + | - | + | o | - | o | o | - | + | |
Lithium complex (LiX) | + | + | + | + | + | - | + | o | - | o | + | |
Water-stabilised calcium (Ca) | o | + | + | - | + | o | - | o | o | o | + | |
Water-free calcium (CaH) | + | + | + | o | o | + | + | o | - | - | + | |
Calcium complex (CaX) | - | + | - | o | + | o | o | - | + | o | + | |
Calcium sulfonate complex (CaSX) | + | + | + | o | + | - | - | o | + | - | + | |
Clay | o | - | o | + | o | - | - | o | o | o | + | |
Aluminium complex (ALX) | - | + | - | + | o | - | - | + | o | - | + | |
Barium complex (BaX) | o | o | o | o | - | o | o | + | o | + | + | |
Polyurea (PU) | o | - | o | - | o | + | o | o | o | o | + | |
Sodium (Na) | - | o | o | - | o | - | o | - | + | o | + | |
NOVA Technology (NW) | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | + |
+ = Compatible | o = Miscibility test required | - = Not compatible
The above table is based on the type of thickeners only. Please note that different types of additive may affect miscibility.
More about grease
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Handbook
The Law of Least Resistance - The FUCHS Lubricants book regarding greases.