Grease

What is grease?

Grease is a thick oily substance commonly used as a lubricant. It consists of a petroleum-derived or synthetic oil held in place by a gel structure of a thickening agent. It is usually composed of these three components, which keep it in a semi-solid state:
Thickener – 5% to 20%
Base oil – 80% to 95%
Additives – 0% to 10%
All three of these ingredients have different uses. The thickeners are soaps, which are lubricant to reduce friction between moving surfaces. The oil has to be kept in reserve until it needs to be lubricated. When exposed to movement, vibration or changes in temperature, it is triggered to release oil.
Additives complement the lubricating expertise of the base oil; maintaining its ability to protect against wear and corrosion. It has a high viscosity, to begin with, but as tension or shear is applied, its thickness level decreases and it becomes oily; Practically the same thickness as its parent material. 

What is grease used for?

It is used to protect against water ingress and gives protection against corrosion, as well as reduce the friction experienced by machines. It has a higher viscosity; so it is an excellent choice for applications where liquid lubricants such as oils will not stay in place. This means that oil and grease are not interchangeable.
Thanks to its water resistance, it can act as a sealant and is mainly used in the automotive industry for tasks such as chassis, wheel bearings, and gears.