Take Care of Your Bearing Grease

Lubricant is essential for bearings to operate properly. A decent grease or oil will reduce friction, prevent contamination or corrosion, and extend the service life of your bearings. So, if you’re putting in the effort to care for your bearings, it would be sensible to put as much care into the lifespan of your bearing grease.

The shelf-life of a bearing lubricant is determined by the amount of time the product can be stored before the properties of the lubricant begin to change and become less effective. This time-period changes depending on the product’s grading, formula and various storage conditions. To extend the shelf-life of you bearing grease, it would help to keep the following points in mind.

Once you’ve purchased your bearing grease, it’s important to keep the product in its original container. Don’t be tempted to move the grease into a new container; this only encourages contamination.

It’s also vital to keep the lid sealed when you’re finished using the grease. If, at first, you’re not sure how much product you’re going to need, rather purchase a smaller container. This way, you’re not constantly opening and closing the lid. Most companies supply their lubrication products in a variety of packaging sizes so that you always have this option.

Another important consideration when making your purchase is whether or not the lid can re-seal once it has been opened. If not, then you need to make sure you will be using all the product in one go or be extra careful when handling and storing to avoid unnecessary contamination.

The conditions of your storage area are also very important to the life of your bearing grease. Ideally, lubricant should be kept in a clean, dry and cool location. A hot, humid environment will shorten the lifespan of you bearing grease, so you need to ensure that you have control over the temperature of the storage area.

Remember, even the smallest amount of dust, debris or moisture can contaminate your bearing grease so pay attention when you’re using it and always make sure it’s stored correctly. If you follow these simple guidelines, you’ll always get the most value for the money you spent. By keeping your grease in good condition, you’re also extending the life of your bearings, so it’s a win-win situation.

For more advice on which bearing lubricant is best or on how to grease your bearings, give the friendly team at Bearing Centre a call today!