Is there a viable alternative to using grease?

Question

Is there a viable alternative to using grease?

Answer 1

Very small rocks!

Answer 2

of course.  We could also use rats!

Answer 3

There are many fine alternatives to Grease. Teflon and other substances. Compressed air and fluids, metal compounds, electronics.

Answer 4

*It depends upon the application of grease.

Grease is used for many purposes like bearing lubrication in rotary equipment,corrosion prevention of many application like bolts,gaskets,as a anti seize compound etc.

*Also speed factor and temperature factor plays a significant role.

* High Temperature Lubrication

"Greases fail more rapidly as temperature of operation increases. The most obvious reason for failure lies in the melting point of the thickener or dropping point of the grease. The latter involves a complex of melting and bleed. Evaporation may be significant at high temperatures. Oxidation also increases rapidly as temperature rises. There are useful guidelines for heat resistance of greases in service which take all these factors into consideration.

"Most mineral-oil-based greases (of adequate dropping point) will operate successfully to about 250 degrees F (121 degrees C). A smaller number can handle 300 degrees F (149 degrees C). A few mineral-oil-based greases can operate to about 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Around this temperature, synthetic fluids are preferred or required. As service temperature rises, frequency of lubricant addition and relubrication must increase.

Functional properties of grease:

(1) Functions as a sealant to minimize leakage and to keep out contaminants. Because of its consistency, grease acts as a sealant to prevent lubricant leakage and also to prevent entrance of corrosive contaminants and foreign materials. It also acts to keep deteriorated seals effective (whereas an oil would simply seep away).

(2) Easier to contain than oil. Oil lubrication can require an expensive system of circulating equipment and complex retention devices. In comparison, grease, by virtue of its rigidity, is easily confined

with simplified, less costly retention devices.

(3) Holds solid lubricants in suspension. Finely ground solid lubricants, such as molybdenum disulphide (moly) and graphite, are mixed with grease in high temperature service (over 315 deg C [599 deg F]) or in extreme high-pressure applications.

Grease holds solids in suspension while solids will settle out of oils.

(4) Fluid level does not have to be controlled and monitored.

*So, if designed lubrication is grease considering the worst case, then it is not viable to use alternatives to grease.

*By the way alternatives to grease are:

    * Castor oil

    * Graphite

    * Lithium-based grease

    * Synthetic oil.

So, it is a matter of comparing the grease at different speed / temperature with alternatives with the same parameter and disadvantages of the alternatives.

Answer 5

Depending on what you are lubricating.  Water is a great lubricant in some uses.  Very fine graphite also works in lots of applications.

Answer 6

vaseline.

butter

WD40

mineral oil.

lard

Answer 7

Sometimes bearings, sometimes a cushion of air although I have forgotten what application that came from.