Application of Greases

Greases is a suspension of oil in a thickening agent. According to Richard (2002),

grease generally consists of a soap emulsified with mineral and vegetable oil. It terms

is used to describe semisolid lubricants. This greases is use when oil is not convenient

to use. It is used to prevent friction and wear. Besides, it can protect against corrosion.

There are many application of greases.

Firstly, the machinery that runs alternately ceasing and beginning again for an

extended period of time. Grease will help to reduce friction in the machine. Moreover,

greases remains in place, so it is safe to use grease for the machine that runs

intermittently and a lubricating film is instantly form.

Next, grease is use for not easily accessible frequent lubricant machinery. Some

machine have difficulties in finding the lubricant but using high quality grease,it can

lubricate the isolated or inaccessible components for extended time. Besides, grease

also can be worn components. Thicker films in clearances enlarged by wear are

maintain by greases and can extend the life of worn parts that are oil lubricated

previously. This greases films also provide noise insulation.

Another use of grease is machinery that operated at extreme condition such as in high

temperatures or in high pressure. In this situations, grease is use to provide thicker

film cushion that are need to protect because the oil films can be too thin and also can

rupture. For example greases is used in general plain and rolling bearings, and bushes

in onshore or even offshore installation where the temperature and pressure is may be

extreme.
Another example is in construction, the environment is harsh in water, dirt and heavy

loads. In this situation, greases needed because it it highly water resistant, and good

rust protection for the equipment.

Other type of grease is yellow grease. Yellow greases are also called used cooking oil,

used vegetable oil is recovered from industry that use oil in cooking. According to

Murphy (2005) this yellow greases is used to manufacture soap, cosmetics, clothes

and also detergent. Soaps influences the temperature resistance and chemical stability

of the resulting grease. The competition from this industrial sectors leads the Energy

Information Administration estimate that less than third from yellow grease can be

spared for bio diesel production (Radich , 2016).

References:

1. Murphy, Dennis J., Plant lipids: biology,utilization, and manipulation. Wiley-

Blackwell, 2005, p. 117.

2. Radich, A. Biodiesel Performance, Costs, and use. Retrieved from

www.eia.gov/oiaf/analysispaper/

3. Richard L. Nailen, Engineering Editor (April 2002). Grease: What it is; How it

works. Electrical apparatus. Retrieved from barks.com/2002/02-04feat.html