The function of thickeners in lubricating grease

The thickener transforms lubricating grease into a non-Newtonian fluid, allowing the Newtonian lubricating oil to be retained within its structure, manifesting as a solid or semi-solid state. The thickeners directly influences the lubricating grease's performance across high and low temperatures, its shear resistance, and water resistance, among other properties.

Structure of Thickeners

Although Thickeners display a three-dimensional network structure under electron microscopy, with different types of thickeners resulting in varied mesh shapes, pore sizes, and network fiber strengths. This implies that various thickeners exhibit differing capacities to absorb base oil in lubricating grease, leading to distinct weight proportions, typically ranging from 5% to 20%.

Lubricating grease production process

The three-dimensional network structure of the thickener adsorbs the base oil under high temperature and pressure, while adding additives to achieve uniform dispersion.

(1) Add base oil and thickener to the reaction vessel to mix and react.

(2) Heating further increases the fibers of the thickener and makes them more dispersed.

(3) Transfer to the mixing kettle, add base oil to adjust viscosity, and add additives to increase additional performance.

(4) Homogenization process: to evenly disperse the thickener.

(5) The process of removing bubbles and impurities.

(6) Filling.

Types of thickeners

There are 25 types of thickeners allowed to be used in China, including agar, gelatin, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. Thickening agents generally use two principles: both physical water absorption, expansion and chemical reaction to achieve thickening effects.

Thickener determines the important properties of lubricating grease, enabling it to adhere to rapidly moving small gears, significantly reducing noise during component operation, both achieving water and dust resistance.