Comparative study between prepared electrical grease and the imported one

Grease lubrication is a complex mixture of science and engineering, requiring an interdisciplinary approach, and is applied to the majority of bearings worldwide. Grease can be more than a lubricant; it is often expected to perform as a seal, corrosion inhibitor in electrical joints, electrical insulator and electrical connection improver. This work is concerned, therefore, with the comparative study between prepared electrical grease and the imported one. Physicochemical and electrical properties for the prepared grease and the imported one were evaluated. The results of dropping point, penetration, dynamic viscosity, corrosion inhibition, evaporation loss, total acid number and oil separation for the prepared grease under investigation are mostly the same compared with the imported grease. In addition, the results interpreted in terms of the physical and chemical properties of both greases revealed that no remarkable differences. In this respect, calorimetric study shows that the prepared grease, like the imported one, is thermally stable up to about 200 °C then decomposition and degradation started slightly faster and higher than that of the imported one. The electrical and dielectric parameters are very close at and around room temperature then the increase of charge carriers' mobility at higher temperatures explains the deviation from stability in case of the prepared grease. One can conclude that the prepared electrical grease could replace efficiently the imported electrical grease especially in isothermal application at and around room temperature.