Why the thickener matters
The thickener is the "skeleton" of a grease — it locks the base oil into a structure. The thickener type directly determines dropping point, temperature resistance, water resistance, mechanical stability and life.
Three mainstream thickeners compared
| Dimension | Lithium / Li-complex | Polyurea | Aluminum complex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dropping point | 180–260°C | 250°C+ | 260°C+ |
| High-temp resistance | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Water resistance | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Mechanical stability | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Noise reduction | Average | Good | Good |
| Cost | Low | Medium | Medium-high |
Typical applications
- Lithium / Li-complex: most versatile and cost-effective; first choice for general industrial bearings and motors;
- Polyurea: high temperature, long life, low noise; ideal for sealed bearings, motors and fans;
- Aluminum complex: high temperature, water-resistant, good pumpability; ideal for centralized lubrication and wet environments.
How to choose
- Limited budget, normal conditions → lithium;
- High temperature + long life + noise reduction → polyurea;
- High temperature + water resistance + centralized lubrication → aluminum complex.
Conclusion
There is no absolute best, only the best match. Use lithium for general duty, polyurea for high temperature and long life, aluminum complex for high temperature and water resistance. Provide your conditions (temperature, moisture, speed, life requirement) for engineering support.