Greases 1 – Fundamentals

Grease plays a crucial role in lubrication, providing long-lasting protection in applications where oil would not be effective. As a semi-solid lubricant, grease is designed to stay in place, resist contamination, and function under extreme conditions such as heavy loads, high temperatures, and exposure to water. Selecting the right grease requires an understanding of its composition, properties, and performance characteristics to ensure optimal equipment reliability and efficiency.

This course provides a comprehensive foundation in grease lubrication, covering its composition, performance properties, and application methods. Participants will explore the differences between grease and oil, the role of thickeners, the significance of grease grades, and how to make informed selections based on equipment and operating conditions. The course also includes best practices for applying grease to extend component life and minimize failure risks.

Designed for maintenance professionals, lubrication engineers, and reliability specialists, this course equips participants with the knowledge to improve grease application and selection strategies, ultimately enhancing machine performance and reducing downtime.

Course Modules:
Greases 01 01 – Oil vs. Grease
Understand the fundamental differences between oil and grease, including their composition, advantages, and limitations in various applications.

Greases 01 02 – Thickeners
Learn about the role of thickeners in grease formulation, including soap-based and non-soap thickeners, and how they affect grease performance in terms of stability, heat resistance, and water resistance.

Greases 01 03 – Grease Grades
Explore the NLGI (National Lubricating Grease Institute) grading system, which defines grease consistency, and how to select the appropriate grade for different lubrication requirements.

Greases 01 04 – Applications
Discover common grease applications in industries such as automotive, manufacturing, mining, and food processing. Learn how different types of grease provide protection under extreme loads, high speeds, and contamination exposure.

Greases 01 05 – Grease Properties
Examine key grease properties, including penetration, drop point, oxidation stability, wear resistance, and load-carrying capacity, and how these factors influence performance in real-world conditions.

Greases 01 06 – Grease Selection
Learn best practices for selecting the right grease based on operating conditions such as temperature, speed, load, and environmental factors. Understand how to balance grease properties to optimize machine reliability and performance.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the differences between grease and oil and when to use each type.
• Identify the role of thickeners and their impact on grease performance.
• Interpret the NLGI grading system and its relevance to grease selection.
• Recognize the key properties of grease and how they influence application suitability.
• Apply best practices for selecting and applying grease in industrial and automotive environments.

This course is ideal for lubrication professionals, maintenance technicians, and reliability engineers looking to enhance their understanding of grease and improve lubrication strategies in their operations. By mastering grease fundamentals, participants will be better equipped to prevent failures, extend equipment life, and optimize lubrication performance.