Graphite grease: all the secrets of the chemical

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Among the huge variety of all kinds of lubricants, graphite grease is not the last. Its application has a strictly defined area, which is due to its properties.

About graphite in a nutshell…

This remedy got its name from the substance of the same name,

included in it. It is he who gives the lubricant certain properties. What is graphite? This substance is gray in color, although it differs in a variety of shades - from black to silver. Has a metallic sheen. It has the ability to form thin films when rubbed on a hard surface. Based on it, a lubricant is produced that is used in various industries.

Graphite grease: features and properties

GOST 3333 80 graphite lubricant - this is how this substance is designated in the nomenclature sheets of enterprises. For its manufacture, colloid-graphite preparations are used. In fact, such a lubricant is nothing more than petroleum oil, which has been thickened with calcium soap. Graphite itself, which gave the name to the substance, is only 10%. In appearance, it is a homogeneous mass, which has a black or dark brown color. Lubricantgraphite in its composition is almost identical to grease. The difference lies in the addition of graphite and the use of a more viscous oil, from which the substance is made.

Graphite grease has the following properties:

• It does not evaporate even at +150 degrees.
• It is not subject to corrosion, therefore it protects the machined parts from rust.
• This substance contains no more than 3% water.
• Its use is recommended at temperatures from -20 to +70 degrees. And in some springs, the temperature regime is allowed even lower - 20 degrees.

Using graphite grease

Graphite grease is used today in many areas of production:

1. Most often it is used for low-speed heavy mechanisms. In tractor suspensions, in springs, in the bearings of drill bits (the very diamond heads that are used to extract oil), in gears. In all these mechanisms, the increase in resistance caused by lubrication plays no role.



But for precise parts, such as bearings, this tool is not suitable. It can damage the components or wear them out. This is facilitated by mechanical impurities that are part of graphite.

2. Graphite grease can also be used for preventive purposes. For example, ordinary locks are processed with it in winter. Thus, they do not freeze and open well. All kinds of additives in the composition of the producthelp dissolve ice and remove rust, thereby protecting the lock mechanism.

When choosing this lubricant, you need to be very careful, as lately there have been cases of fakes quite often. Therefore, preference should be given to a product that is produced by well-known companies with a good reputation. And it is advisable to make purchases in specialized stores. After all, the stable operation of equipment for various purposes depends on the quality of this material.