Types and applications of lubricating greases: which one you need?

Lubricating greases are essential in applications where liquid oils do not offer sufficient protection or retention.

Their semi-solid consistency allows them to remain in place even under high pressure, exposure to water or dust, extreme temperatures, or in hard-to-reach components. For this reason, they are widely used in bearings/ball boxes, chassis, agricultural equipment, industrial machinery, and food systems.

At American Petroleum, we offer a variety of high-performance greases, backed by leading brands such as Petro-Canada, Phillips 66, and our own private label American Quality Lubricants (AQL). Today we are going to introduce them to you, but first we will explain the types and applications of lubricating greases.

Types of lubricating greases

There are many types of lubricating greases, so to facilitate their classification, two main criteria are usually chosen: types of lubricating greases according to their base and types of lubricating greases according to their additives.

🔵 Thick base lubricating greases:

• Lithium grease. General use; good water resistance and stability in multiple applications.
• Complex lithium grease. Better performance at high temperatures and heavy loads.
• Calcium grease. Suitable for humid environments and low-temperature operations.
• Special greases. Such as complex aluminum, bentonite, or silica, designed for specific uses.

🟡 Lubricating greases according to their additives:

• With molybdenum (MoS₂). Improves wear resistance under moderate load conditions.
• With PTFE (Teflon). Increases chemical stability and reduces friction.
• Special formulations: to prevent corrosion, protect against oxidation, or comply with food contact regulations (NSF H1).

Applications of lubricating greases

The applications of lubricating greases are almost endless. Greases for bearings, agricultural equipment, construction machinery, for use in humid environments, for the food industry, for vehicle parts such as chassis or joints…

The following table shows which types of industrial greases are most recommended for each application:

Lubricating greases recommended by American Petroleum

Depending on whether your lubricating grease applications are for the construction, agricultural, or food industry, we recommend the following products:

🔩 Industrial and agricultural use:

• Petro‑Canada PRECISION XL 3 MOLY EP2. Lithium grease with excellent mechanical and thermal stability. Contains molybdenum for moderate pressure and vibration applications. Recommended for industrial and agricultural equipment.
• Phillips 66 Megaplex XD3 #2. Multipurpose complex lithium grease with EP additives. Offers good protection in severe conditions, including high temperatures, humidity, and load.
• American Quality Lubricants (AQL) SUPER BLUE GOO #2 – Lithium Complex. Multipurpose complex lithium grease developed to withstand demanding operating conditions in sectors such as agriculture and transportation.

🍴 Food industry grease:

• Petro-Canada PURITY FG2 SYN GREASE. NSF H1 certified synthetic grease designed for incidental food contact. Recommended for equipment in food and beverage processing plants. Source: Petro‑Canada Lubricants.

Why choose American Petroleum as your lubricating grease supplier?

At American Petroleum, we have a complete inventory of greases for the automotive, industrial, agricultural, and food sectors. We distribute leading brand products, with technical support and immediate availability for delivery throughout the island.

Not sure which type of lubricating grease to choose for your equipment? Contact us and we will be happy to help you select the most suitable option. Visit www.americanpetroleumpr.com and our specific section on lubricating greases.