A complex grease thickener built on fine calcium carbonate crystals dispersed in calcium sulfonate. The calcite structure gives inherent extreme pressure and antiwear performance, excellent rust protection even in salt water, and dropping points above 300 C. Calcium sulfonate greases are favored in steel mills, paper machines, marine gear and mining. They cost more than lithium complex and some grades stiffen in long centralized lube lines.
Wet end of the paper machine eats lithium grease, switch those bearings to calcium sulfonate.
Also heard as
- cal sulf
- calcium sulfonate complex
Related terms
Thickener
Solid structure in a grease, usually a metal soap or polyurea, that holds the base oil like a sponge.
Water washout
Percentage of grease washed out of a running test bearing by a water jet, a measure of water resistance.
Lithium complex
Grease thickener made from a lithium soap plus a complexing acid, the all-purpose bearing workhorse.
Grease
Semi-solid lubricant made of oil held in a thickener sponge, usually with additives.