Greases
Grease is used where equipment needs lubricant to stay in place, protect moving surfaces, and support components that are not served by circulating oil. It is commonly used on bearings, fittings, motors, couplings, linkages, and other industrial equipment points where the manufacturer specifies grease instead of oil.
This collection includes replacement greases for industrial equipment, compressed air systems, motors, bearings, and related machinery. Air Compressor Services carries grease options for customers maintaining compressors, blowers, vacuum systems, shop equipment, production machinery, and other industrial applications.
Use this collection to shop grease by OEM requirement, grease type, NLGI grade, application, or container size.
What Is Industrial Grease?
Industrial grease is a semi-solid lubricant made to stay in place on components that need ongoing lubrication and protection. Unlike oil, which flows through a system or sump, grease is often applied directly to a bearing, fitting, joint, or lubrication point.
Grease should be selected based on the equipment manufacturer’s recommendation, grease type, NLGI grade, base oil, thickener type, operating temperature, load conditions, and application. Do not assume compressor oil, gear oil, hydraulic oil, blower oil, vacuum pump oil, or another lubricant can replace the specified grease.
Common Grease Applications
Greases are commonly used in industrial equipment and maintenance applications such as:
- Electric motor bearings
- Compressor motor bearings
- Blower bearings
- Vacuum pump bearings
- Couplings
- Linkages
- Grease fittings
- Shop equipment
- Production machinery
- Material handling equipment
- General industrial maintenance
Grease vs. Oil
Grease and oil are not automatically interchangeable. Oil is used where the equipment requires a flowing lubricant, sump lubricant, circulating lubricant, or specific fluid system. Grease is used where the lubricant needs to remain in place on a component or lubrication point.
Do not substitute grease for oil, or oil for grease, unless the equipment manufacturer specifically allows it. Match the lubricant to the equipment, component, OEM requirement, and application before ordering.
How to Choose the Right Grease
The best way to choose the correct replacement grease is to match it to the equipment manufacturer’s recommendation. Helpful details include:
- Equipment brand
- Equipment model
- Component being lubricated
- OEM grease name
- OEM part number
- Required grease type
- NLGI grade, when listed
- Base oil type, when listed
- Thickener type, when listed
- Operating temperature
- Load conditions
- Container size or cartridge type needed
If the old grease container, equipment manual, maintenance record, service label, or lubrication chart lists a specific grease, use that information to confirm the correct replacement grease.
Understanding NLGI Grade
NLGI grade describes grease consistency. A lower NLGI number is softer, while a higher number is firmer. Many industrial greases are identified by NLGI grade along with thickener type, base oil, and application requirements.
Do not choose grease by appearance alone. Similar-looking greases can have different thickener systems, temperature ranges, load ratings, and compatibility concerns.
Grease Compatibility Matters
Not all greases are compatible with each other. Mixing incompatible greases can affect consistency, performance, and component protection. If you are switching grease types, confirm compatibility and follow the equipment manufacturer’s maintenance guidance.
When available, match the replacement grease by OEM recommendation, grease name, part number, NLGI grade, and application instead of guessing by color or texture.
Greases for Compressor and Air System Equipment
Some compressed air and air-moving equipment may require grease for specific components, such as electric motor bearings, blower bearings, couplings, linkages, or other lubrication points. This does not mean every compressor uses grease in the same way.
Before ordering, confirm whether the lubricant requirement is for a motor bearing, compressor component, blower component, vacuum pump component, coupling, or other part of the system.
What Else Might Greased Equipment Need?
Equipment that requires grease may also need other maintenance items depending on the application. Common related items can include:
- Bearings
- Seals
- Gaskets
- Couplings
- Belts
- Filters, when used
- Breathers
- Other preventative maintenance components
Confirm replacement parts by equipment brand, model, serial number, component number, and OEM part number whenever possible.
Important Fitment Note
Replacement grease should be selected based on the equipment manufacturer’s requirements, OEM lubricant recommendation, grease type, NLGI grade, base oil, thickener type, operating conditions, and application. Product listings may include compatibility details, but the customer is responsible for confirming fitment before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is industrial grease used for?
Industrial grease is used to lubricate and protect bearings, fittings, motors, couplings, linkages, and other equipment components where the lubricant needs to stay in place.
Is grease the same as oil?
No. Grease and oil are not automatically interchangeable. Oil flows through a system or sump, while grease is used where lubricant needs to remain in place on a component or lubrication point.
What does NLGI grade mean?
NLGI grade describes grease consistency. Lower numbers are softer, while higher numbers are firmer. The correct grade depends on the component, equipment requirement, temperature, load, and application.
Can I mix different greases?
Do not assume different greases are compatible. Mixing incompatible greases can affect consistency and performance. When switching grease types, confirm compatibility and follow the equipment manufacturer’s guidance.
How do I choose the right grease?
Start with the equipment brand, model, component being lubricated, OEM grease name, original part number, NLGI grade, grease type, and application. If the manual, old container, lubrication chart, or service label lists a specific grease, use that information to confirm the correct replacement.
Do compressors use grease?
Some compressor-related equipment may use grease for specific components, such as electric motor bearings, couplings, or other lubrication points. Confirm the exact component and lubricant requirement before ordering.
What applications use industrial grease?
Industrial grease is commonly used in electric motor bearings, compressor motor bearings, blower bearings, vacuum pump bearings, couplings, linkages, shop equipment, production machinery, material handling equipment, and general industrial maintenance.
Where do your products ship from?
Everything ships from our warehouse in Greenville, South Carolina, and our support team is based here too, ensuring fast shipping and real help when you need it.