Introduction
One of the main functions of grease is to prevent moving parts of the machines from wearing out when they rub on each other. The grease is applied frequently on those parts to reduce the chances of wear and tear. However, not all kinds of greases can be applied on every part. It is important to know the difference between various greases and their specific features. Different kinds of greases consist of different additives and ingredients. The most common types of grease used are Lithium grease and Moly grease.
Lithium Grease
Lithium grease consists of a base oil, a mineral or synthetic and a lithium soap thickener. This thickener is created from the reaction of fatty acids with lithium hydroxide. This grease can be used as a general-purpose lubricant due to its properties of water resistance, mechanical stability and capability to bear high-temperatures. Lithium grease is used for various applications in different sectors such as automotive, industrial and for household uses. It is a versatile and cost-effective grease applied on parts such as bearings, gears and hinges.
When to Use Lithium Grease?
Lithium grease can be used across various industries making it versatile and multi-purpose. In the automotive industry, lithium grease is widely used in parts such as wheel bearings, hinges and suspension systems. It is also used in the marine industry for boat trailers and winches and in household appliances such as garage doors and door hinges. The water resistance capacity of lithium grease makes it ideal for applications where water is a common element.
Moly Grease
Molybdenum grease also known as moly grease is a lubricant that delivers amazing performance even in extreme temperatures. It is made up of a base oil, mineral or synthetic, and molybdenum disulfide as a lubricant. This molybdenum disulfide provides unique properties to grease such as load carrying capacity and wear resistance. It is an inorganic compound in a solid grey form. It helps in reducing wear and tear on machines, prevents metal-to-metal contact, and maintains the efficiency of the equipment. Moly grease is mostly used in industries such as automotive, heavy machinery and industrial equipment. The molybdenum sulfide also forms a barrier between surfaces when the parts of the machine get hot.
When to Use Moly Grease?
Moly grease is mainly used for situations where a high amount of heat and pressure is generated when the metals rub over each other. Moly grease prevents the friction, corrosion and can stay on the application for a longer period of time. Thus, this grease is considered ideal for heavy-duty machineries. Some of the parts moly grease can be applied are lubricating axles, bearings, spines, gears, CV joints, etc. Another advantage of this grease is its stability in nature and capacity to not react with any other compound.
Difference Between Lithium Grease and Moly Grease
Below stated are the 5 main difference between lithium grease and moly grease:
- Main Ingredient: The key difference between both the greases is their main ingredient. The main ingredient in the thickener of moly grease is molybdenum sulfide whereas the thickener of lithium grease consists of lithium as its main ingredient. Both the ingredients possess individual properties which makes these two greases different from one another.
- Form and Shape: Moly grease is found in a solid form. It gradually breaks into small particles while being used. On the other hand, lithium grease is found in jelly form. However, the advantage of both the grease is that they don’t affect each other’s performance despite the difference in their forms.
- Water Resistance: Both moly grease and lithium grease offer water resistance. However, the difference between them is lithium grease offers high water resistance in comparison to moly grease.
- Applications: There are some differences in the application of these greases due to the difference in their active ingredients and properties. Lithium grease is multi-purpose and used in various areas of the machine whereas moly grease cannot be applied to areas which are exposed to water. Moly grease is most suitable for bearings with rapid movements.
- Melting Point: Like water resistance, both the greases can bear high heat as well. However, the difference is in their melting points. Moly grease has a higher melting point than lithium grease. The melting point of lithium grease is 350°F to 400°F whereas the melting point of moly grease is 450°F to 500°F. Many researchers have called this aspect of moly grease theoretical as there are hardly any metals that operate on temperatures higher than 400°F.
Are Moly Grease and Lithium Grease Compatible to Each Other?
The answer to this question is no. Moly grease and lithium grease should not be mixed together. If one wants to switch from moly grease to lithium grease or vice versa, the already applied grease should be cleaned first. The simple reason behind this is the difference in both of their active ingredients. If both the greases are mixed together, it can deliver a negative result as both of them would loose their viscosity and lubrication ability. If the metal is lubricated poorly, there are high chances of wearing out of metal faster than usual.
Take Away
This is the brief explanation about moly grease, lithium grease, their uses and the major difference between them. We hope this information will be effective for you. Please let us know through your valuable feedback and the suggestion in the drop box.