General

Greases are an important component of industrial maintenance. Grease is vital in ensuring that everything runs smoothly. Do you know that grease comes in types? The most common types of grease are either synthetic or mineral greases. Both types have specific additives that make them more effective. If you are wondering which one is better, You will get your answer by the end of this blog. We will explain different types of grease and their properties, along with the role of additives. It will help you choose the best among the two for your requirements.

What Is Synthetic Grease?

Synthetic grease is the one that comes from synthetic oils, which are chemically made in the lab. Synthetic oils are more stable and perform better at extreme temperatures than natural oils. When synthetic oils and additives mix, they form synthetic greases. It retains all the properties of synthetic oils. This makes these greases ideal for extreme conditions. This performance can be further increased by the use of additives. This type of grease is useful at high temperatures and extreme loads. Its lubricating properties are also exceptional, and it does not break down irrespective of the load. The only downside of synthetic greases is that they are really expensive.

What Is Mineral Grease?

Mineral grease contains refined mineral oils from crude oil. These are naturally occurring, so their consistency may vary slightly. The properties of mineral greases are often improved by using additives. But still, these greases break down when the temperature rise is significant. These greases come from natural sources, so they are not very complex to make. This is why their prices are not as high in comparison to synthetic grease. Therefore, mineral greases are widely used for various applications in the industries. They are very useful in those sectors where temperature does not exceed a certain limit.

What Are Grease Additives?

Grease additives are chemicals that are added to grease to enhance its properties. They are the boosters for the greases as they enhance their properties, such as lubricity.

This protects against rust and corrosion and helps grease work at extreme temperatures or pressures. Additives are very important in grease formulations, which makes them suited for more specific tasks. Without additives, grease wouldn’t be so efficient in protecting machinery.

Properties

Now that we have understood the types of greases and additives, let’s take a look at some of their important properties.

High-Temperature Performance

One of the major areas in which synthetic and mineral greases are different is their performance under high temperatures. Synthetic greases are better for performance at high temperatures. This is because synthetic oils do not degrade with the rise of heat. When you add the right additives to synthetic grease, it will work even at very extreme temperatures. Synthetic grease is good in machinery that generates a lot of head. They are ideally suited for engines and industrial machines.

Mineral greases cannot work well at extreme temperatures. This is due to the properties of mineral oil and how it breaks down or oxidizes with the rise of heat. Additives may slow this process, but mineral grease does break down faster than synthetic grease in hot temperatures.

So, if temperature maintenance is your goal, you must choose synthetic greases with special additives.

Performance at Lower Temperatures

Performance in the cold environment is equally important, if not more. Synthetic greases are a better choice at lower temperatures as well. It does not thicken when the temperature drops and keeps lubricating the machine for efficient performance. Synthetic greases with added additives are ideal for optimal working at freezing temperatures. Additives help it maintain its lubricating property even when the temperature is way below freezing point.

Mineral grease will, however, thicken in cold temperatures. This means it becomes hard for the grease to flow and work to achieve proper grease lubrication on moving parts. Additives can improve their performance to some extent, but they become less effective with the fall in temperature. This makes it clear that synthetic greases are a better choice at cold temperatures.

Longevity and Durability

Longevity is one of the most crucial parts of the performance of lubricants. Synthetic greases last for a long time as opposed to mineral-based grease, which needs frequent lubrication. This is because synthetic oils do not break down easily. They are less susceptible to oxidation, which means they keep protecting the machines for a long time. The additives further boost the performance of the greases, making them resistant to water, heat, and extreme loads. Hence, machines working with synthetic grease are less exposed to maintenance and downtime.

Mineral grease does not last long, as mineral oil is generally unstable and degrades faster in extreme conditions. The addition of additives makes work, but not for a long time.

Environmental Considerations

The environmental consideration was an important factor that led to the formation of synthetic oils. It is important for the oils and lubricants to not be harmful to the environment. Since synthetic grease and its additives do not come from nonrenewable resources, they are good for the environment. It is more “green” because it has longer durability and doesn’t need frequent replacements. This means there will be fewer waste products and polluting activities. Most of these greases are also biodegradable, which means they do not affect the ecosystem.

Mineral grease is more harmful to the environment since it is derived from crude oil. It is not biodegradable and can contaminate the soil and water in case of improper disposal. Still, there are several ways these greases their environmental impact can be reduced. The use of additives is one way to do it. It can help in the degradation of these additives.

Cost Factors

No matter what the properties are, the final deciding factor for the choice of greases, oils, and additives is the cost. Mineral oils and their additives cost less in comparison to synthetic ones. This is because not much time and energy is invested in their formation. Similarly, synthetic oils and their additives are produced inside laboratories with continuous research and repeated testing. This adds to their cost and makes them much more expensive.

Though the price of synthetic grease may be higher at first, it ultimately can help save money in the form of ROI. As synthetic greases are better than mineral greases in all the departments, this means that they last long and need less maintenance. So, the cost invested in buying these greases can be saved by reducing the maintenance needs. This shows that the total usage cost of synthetic grease is lower than that of mineral grease in the long run. Synthetic grease pays off itself by reducing maintenance and downtime costs.

Which grease should you choose?

So back to the question of which grease is better, synthetic or mineral? The answer depends on your specific needs. If you work with machinery that operates in extreme conditions, synthetic grease with quality grease additives is a better choice. The grease will last longer and perform well, thus reducing the need for frequent maintenance. Another reason to go for synthetic greases is if you’re an environmentalist. Synthetic greases are far more environmentally friendly than others.

But if your equipment does not overheat and the cost is an issue, mineral grease with additives can still do the job. This is a great alternative when the machinery operates under normal conditions away from extreme heat or cold.

Lubricant and Additive Market

Synthetic and mineral greases are available in the market and have their strengths and weaknesses. Synthetic greases have good performance, a long life, and an environmental advantage. On the negative side, synthetics are costly, whereas mineral greases are much more affordable. But mineral greases are only useful in situations where demands are not so stringent. You must also understand the particular demands of your machinery and the equipment. It will help you choose the lubrication that is best suited for your needs. Also, make sure to buy the additives from trusted suppliers.

Chempol: A Trusted Additive Supplier

Chempol is one of the leading speciality lubricant manufacturers. They make additives for all kinds of lubricant additives; this includes grease additives as well. They also have excellent customer service, so if you have any reservations regarding the products, you can ask them. Furthermore, they also offer additives that are specifically tailored to your needs. Reach out to them if quality is what you are looking for.