Quote:
Originally Posted by javadog
How can you identify the type of a grease? Obviously color and cosistency are clues but what else is available to the average joe?
What other greases might be "light tan"?
What's the issue with the use of barium grease in the US?
JR
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There are a few tell-tale signs. The most popular (common) grease you will find in a auto parts store is a lithium grease. Those grease will actually have a sweet smell to them. They should also say LITHIUM on the label. The next would be the non-melt greases. These are thickened with clay and have an earthy smell. The label may or may not say it is made from clay but these grease typically are used in high temp applications and they do not melt when heated. These grease are also known to NOT PLAY WELL with other greases - the mixture will liquify. Think of what soap does to mud - same thing here.
If a grease is bought from a heavy equipment dealer like Cat, John Deere or the like it may be an Aluminum Complex or even a Calcium Sulfonate but those will be pricey.
As for Barium - heavy metal, EPA says its a no no now. Same for Antimony. Some greases that were white (pigmented for food grade applications) used Titanium Oxides have to have a cancer label on them becasue TiO2 are considered cancerous in the powder form. Stupid thing is, TiO2 will never ever get to a powder form when its blended into a grease but hay, thats the EPA for ya! Now food grade greases will be un-pigmented and look like snot.
