The modern market for lubricants is a wide range of various products, however, most motorists most often use lithium greases. This is due to the fact that such compositions are versatile and can be used in different fields.
What are the features?
Lithium complex greases attract attention with water resistance, mechanical stability. Due to water resistance, the grease is not washed off with water, and mechanical stability affects the ability of the composition to maintain its structure for a long time under the influence of mechanical forces. The storage of grease during storage depends on the amount of oil released. Lithium greases emit a sufficient amount of oil in the contact zone of parts, but also remain in sufficient quantity during storage of oil.
The peculiarity of this variety also lies in the fact that similar products have a higher dropping point, that is, they can be operated even at high temperatures. This indicator is provided by the complexing agent, which is part of the thickener.
Popular types: Litol-24
Litol grease is the most popular among domestic. It is a soft cherry-colored ointment that is widely used in various friction units of cars. Due to its qualities, it is able to replace all types of solid oil and many other lubricants.
The use of this composition allows to reduce friction and, accordingly, wear of parts, as well as to increase the intervals between grease changes. Features of this grease include:
- Excellent conservation properties.
- Resistance to moisture.
- Ability to operate in a wide temperature range.
Litol grease can be used in sealed and unsealed units, such as steering joints, suspensions, cardan joints, front wheel hubs and so on.
The main advantages of Litol-24
Multipurpose grease is a petroleum oil that has a viscosity of 60-75 mm 2 / s. As thickeners used lithium soap, as well as antioxidant and viscous additives. The price of Litol lubricant is one of the most affordable: a small tube will cost 70 rubles of the Russian Federation, a 0.8 kg can - 143 rubles of the Russian Federation, and a 33 kg can - 2750 Russian rubles.
The advantages of this brand of lubricant include:
- Excellent lubricity and elasticity when working in conditions of any temperature.
- Excellent protection for all parts that are lubricated, even if they constantly rub.
- Retention strength on any lubricated surfaces.
- Prevention of worn parts.
It is also important that the price for Litol is affordable, while the quality of the lubricant is in no way inferior to its foreign counterparts. So, if you are short of money, but buy only high-quality lubricants, Litol products are ideal for you. It is used as automotive lubricant in vehicles of any type, including in special equipment.
It is worth noting that, most of the time, friction surfaces of bearings are pitted during operation. By the presence of anti-pitting properties, just the Litol grease is the leader.
Fiol-1 and Fiol-2
This lithium grease has been widely used. In its composition, it is a mixture of petroleum oils, which are thickened with special components. It can be used in the processing of friction units that are lubricated through a grease nipple or centralized lubrication system. Fiol is also used in the processing of flexible shafts or control cables in sheaths, low-power gearboxes and small-sized rolling bearings.
A kind of lubricant for this brand is Fiol-2, which has a lower viscosity. And Fiol-3 is as close as possible in its qualities to Litol-24. The Fiol-2U variety contains about 5% molybdenum disulfide, and this lithium grease has also found extensive use: first of all, it is used to increase the durability of needle bearings in a cardan shaft of a car.
"Solidol F"
This grease is intended for use in normal temperature conditions. It is widely used for the processing of coarse friction units in various machines and mechanisms of vehicles, as well as tools, screw and chain transmissions, low-speed gear reducers. By its operational properties, "Solidol Zh" resembles a synthetic solidol, while it has better viscosity-temperature properties, less compaction during storage and resistance to destruction.
Solidol lithium greases are able to be used in temperature conditions from -30 to + 65 degrees. At the same time, they are used in powerful mechanisms that bear a heavy load: bearings, joints, blocks. "Solidol J" is different:
- colloidal stability;
- water resistance;
- good protective properties;
- excellent lubricating properties.
This lithium-based grease is suitable for reducing friction in components and mechanisms, reducing wear and preventing scuffing, welding and seizing. When using "Solidol" it is necessary to take into account, firstly, its ability to disintegrate under the influence of high temperatures (above 80 degrees), therefore it is necessary to use a lubricant without preliminary melting. In addition, it contributes to the conservation of spare parts and surfaces of mechanisms, the storage and transportation of which is carried out in the fresh air.
Mixing "Solidol" with other lubricants is not recommended, since it will be compacted and to remove it you will need to disassemble the nodes. Most often, the composition is used in the processing of coarse, unprotected friction units at low temperature ranges.
TsIATIM-201
Greases of this brand are popular among low temperature formulations. It is used in friction units of any kind that work under the influence of a small load, as well as in units that have a slight shift, for example, in a flexible speedometer shaft. The distinctive features of the lubricant include:
- Plastic.
- Frost resistance.
- Ability to operate at temperatures from -50 degrees to +120 degrees.
- Low mechanical stability.
- Low tensile strength.
- Full compliance with state standards.
This waterproof grease is suitable for high-quality processing of rubbing parts of equipment, protecting them from corrosion. Timely processing will protect the components and parts from wear, and their service life will be significantly longer.
Mobil Unirex EP2
This grease is based on a high-quality base mineral oil, which ensures excellent performance and service life of the units. The composition is widely used in nodes, which have a huge load, both in vehicles and in industrial mechanisms. Lithium greases of this brand differ:
- antioxidant properties that are responsible for the chemical stability of the composition;
- excellent corrosion resistance;
- long term of operation;
- wide range of operating temperatures;
- good adhesion.
Advantages of Mobil Unirex EP2
Firstly, lubrication serves as a reliable protection of components and mechanisms, preventing their premature wear. Secondly, it is characterized by extreme pressure properties. Thirdly, it can be used for units that operate at low temperatures. The composition is not very demanding on the conditions of storage and transportation. According to studies, the lubricant is absolutely safe for humans, has high adhesion and is poorly washed off with water.
Aerosol greases
One of the most convenient forms in which lithium grease is produced is aerosol. Among the popular brands, the following can be noted:
- WD-40 SPECIALIST. It is used for metal compounds, protects them from corrosion and ensures the duration of protection. It can be used for surfaces that have a heavy load. The results of use are reduced friction and improved smoothness of movement of the mechanism. It is resistant to external environmental factors, can be operated at temperatures from -18 to +145 degrees.
- RUNWAY White Lithium Grease is a heat-resistant washout compound. Perfectly lubricates parts, giving them water-repellent properties. Thanks to corrosion inhibitors in the composition of the product, the parts are reliably protected from corrosion. It can be used as protection for metal parts, door hinges, cables, bearings and other moving mechanisms.
Aerosol lubricants show a deep penetrating effect, which ensures high-quality lubrication and long-term and reliable corrosion protection.
Shell Gadus S2 V220AD 2
Black greases of this brand are used for machining bearings that are used in conditions of high complexity. The lubricant contains mineral oils with a high viscosity index, where a mixed lithium-calcium soap acts as a thickener. Thanks to various additives - antioxidant, anti-wear, anti-seize, adhesive and anti-corrosion - high-quality and reliable protection of machined parts is provided. The composition can be operated at temperatures from -10 to +120 degrees.
This lithium bearing grease is used for machining parts used in difficult conditions, subject to high shock loads and high humidity. Lubrication is perfect for processing off-road equipment, as well as tow hitch tractors.
Is graphite or lithium grease better?
Along with lithium, another type of multi-purpose lubricant is used - graphite compounds. They comply with all GOSTs and are able to operate at temperatures from -20 to +70 degrees. Such compositions are based on cylinder mineral oil and vegetable fats, thickened with graphite and calcium soaps. Graphite grease attracts a number of positive properties:
- reliable protection of mechanisms against corrosion even under heavy loads;
- the ability to use in difficult conditions;
- reliable protection of mechanisms from water and dust;
- low coefficient of friction, which is ensured by the content of solid particles in the lubricant.
However, lithium-based lubricants are characterized by a higher dropping point, so their operation is possible even at high temperature conditions. The second component of the complexing agent is responsible for this ability. That is why lithium compounds are in greater demand compared to graphite lubricants.
Grease No. 158
This grease has a blue color and is used in bearings of automotive electrical equipment and in needle bearings. In such units, the lubricant works stably and for a long time thanks to additives - antioxidant and antiwear. Experts say that there is no full-fledged replacement for this composition, and the closest analogues - Litol-24 or SHRUS-4 - are not so durable in operation.
To summarize
Lithium greases are one of the most popular, due to their improved properties. Water resistance, high temperature performance, excellent mechanical properties - all this attracts the attention of customers to these compounds. They are more expensive from the point of view of the production process, but in comparison with other analogues they have a number of advantages. In addition to simple lithium grease, you can purchase a complex one, which is characterized by better mechanical stability and high water resistance. A variety of fields of application serves as a guarantee that the nodes and mechanisms of various vehicles will be processed in a high-quality and timely manner.