Why Organoclay for Grease?
Organoclay grease thickener: An organophilic modified montmorillonite clay that forms a platelet gel matrix holding base oil in suspension. Unlike soap thickeners, clay minerals do not melt — organoclay greases have no measurable drop point (mineral decomposition above ~600°C), maintaining consistent structure at all practical application temperatures, including continuous service above 200°C.
Grease Thickener Comparison
| Thickener Type | Drop Point | Max Continuous Service | Water Resistance | Best Use Case |
|---|
| Organoclay (clay grease) | None (>260°C) | >200°C continuous | Excellent | Furnace chains, kilns, extreme heat |
| Lithium complex | ~260°C | ~180°C | Good | High-temp industrial (intermittent) |
| Polyurea | ~265°C | ~180°C | Excellent | Electric motor bearings |
| Lithium soap | ~190°C | ~120°C | Good | General purpose multipurpose |
| Calcium soap | ~100°C | ~70°C | Excellent | Wet/marine, low-temperature |
Key Takeaway — The No-Drop-Point Advantage: Most soap-based thickeners melt at their drop point, causing catastrophic lubrication failure at temperature. Organoclay clay mineral platelets are inorganic — they decompose above 600°C, far beyond any lubrication application. Organoclay greases maintain full consistency at 250°C+ indefinitely, which no soap grease can match.
Our Recommended Grades for Lubricating Grease
Based on 20+ years of grease formulation support, our most frequently recommended grades are: CP-34, CP-RL, CP-388, CP-250A, CP-31, and CP-992. Here is how we select between them:
- Synthetic or mineral oil base (PAO, Group I/II/IV): CP-388, CP-250A, CP-31, CP-992 — these provide the best rheological structure in conventional and synthetic base oils.
- Vegetable oil base: CP-34 and CP-RL — these two deliver the best combination of quality and price-competitiveness in vegetable oil systems, and are our consistent recommendation when customers want to balance performance and cost.
- High-temperature applications (bearing grease for kilns, furnace conveyors, oven chains): CP-250A and CP-31 — both have confirmed high-temperature stability and are the grades we specify for applications where soap-based thickeners fail at temperature.
Compared to other Chinese organoclay suppliers, what customers consistently come back for is: stable quality batch to batch, a wide grade range so the right grade is always available for their exact system, and competitive pricing that reflects our manufacturing efficiency rather than a premium for brand recognition.
Grade Selection by Base Oil
| Base Oil Type | API Group | Polarity | Recommended Grade | Dosage for NLGI 2 |
|---|
| Mineral oil (paraffinic) | Group I | Low | CP-EL, CP-GL, CP-34 | 6–10 wt% |
| Mineral oil (naphthenic) | Group II | Low | CP-EL, CP-GL, CP-34 | 6–10 wt% |
| Polyalphaolefin (PAO) | Group IV | Low–medium | CP-EL, CP-GL, CP-388 | 8–12 wt% |
| Ester oils | Group V | Medium–high | CP-EDS, CP-MP, CP-388 | 8–12 wt% |
| White oils | Group II+ | Low | CP-EL, CP-GL | 6–10 wt% |
| Vegetable oils (bio-lubricant) | — | Medium | CP-34, CP-RL | 8–12 wt% |
| High-temperature synthetic | Group IV/V | Low–medium | CP-250A, CP-31 | 8–13 wt% |
NLGI Consistency vs Dosage
| NLGI Grade | Penetration (0.1 mm) | Organoclay Dosage (CP-EL, mineral oil) | Typical Application |
|---|
| NLGI 1 | 310–340 | 4–7 wt% | Centralized lubrication systems; low-temperature |
| NLGI 2 | 265–295 | 6–10 wt% | General purpose bearings — most common grade |
| NLGI 3 | 220–250 | 9–13 wt% | Wheel bearings, high-speed, vertical shafts |
Manufacturing Process
Organoclay grease manufacturing requires no saponification step — simpler than soap-based grease production. A colloid mill or homogenizer is essential for full platelet delamination:
- Heat base oil to 60–70°C in the grease kettle
- Add organoclay powder (7–10 wt% of total formulation) slowly under agitation — wet all particles
- Add polar activator (30–40% of organoclay weight) — options: 95% ethanol, propylene carbonate, acetone, or dipropyl carbonate
- High-shear mix for 25–30 minutes using Cowles dissolver or high-shear mixer
- Pass through colloid mill 2–3 times — this is the critical step; full platelet delamination requires colloid milling, not just batch mixing
- Cool under controlled agitation to below 60°C
- Add performance additives (EP agents, antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors) — add after organoclay activation to avoid interference
- Filter and package
Polar Activator Guide
| Activator | Dosage (% of OC weight) | Notes |
|---|
| 95% Ethanol | 30–40% | Common, moderate evaporation rate |
| 95% Methanol | 30–40% | Good activation; higher evaporation rate |
| Acetone | 30–50% | Highly effective; very high evaporation — use in ventilated kettle |
| Propylene carbonate | 25–35% | Low volatility; stays in grease — preferred for final product use |
| Dipropyl carbonate | 25–35% | Low volatility; preferred for food-grade grease applications |
Caution: Too little activator = weak, unstable consistency. Too much activator = disrupted gel network ("activator poisoning") → soft, inconsistent grease. Titrate incrementally to find the optimal dose for each base oil / grade combination.
Key Performance Properties
| Property | Organoclay Grease Performance | Test Method |
|---|
| Drop point | None (>260°C — clay does not melt) | ASTM D566 / ASTM D2265 |
| Max continuous service temperature | >200°C | Application testing |
| Water washout resistance | <5% weight loss at 79°C | ASTM D1264 |
| Oxidation stability | <3 psi pressure drop at 100h, 99°C | ASTM D942 |
| NLGI grades achievable | 000 to 3 (typical: 1, 2, 3) | ASTM D217 penetration |
| Operating temperature range | -30°C to >200°C | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is organoclay used for in lubricating grease?
Organoclay is used as the thickener in clay-based (bentone-type) lubricating greases. It forms the structural matrix that holds base oil in suspension at NLGI 1–3 consistency. Unlike soap thickeners, organoclay greases have no drop point — they maintain full consistency above 260°C indefinitely, making them the standard for furnace conveyor chains, kiln bearings, steel mill equipment, and any application where continuous high-temperature service is required.
What is the drop point of organoclay grease?
Organoclay greases have no measurable drop point. The clay mineral platelet structure is inorganic — it decomposes above ~600°C, far beyond any practical lubrication application. This contrasts with lithium soap (drop point ~190°C), lithium complex (~260°C), and polyurea (~265°C). For continuous service above 180°C — especially furnace chains, oven conveyors, and kiln equipment — organoclay clay grease is the only thickener type that reliably prevents lubrication failure.
How much organoclay do I need in lubricating grease?
For mineral oil (Group I/II): NLGI 2 requires 6–10 wt% organoclay on base oil weight; NLGI 3 requires 9–13 wt%. For PAO (Group IV): 8–12 wt% for NLGI 2. Plus polar activator at 30–40% of organoclay weight (propylene carbonate or ethanol). Titrate to find the specific optimal dose for your base oil — the minimum penetration point corresponds to the optimal activator level.
What grease thickener is best for high temperature?
For continuous high-temperature service above 180°C: organoclay clay grease is the preferred choice — no drop point, full consistency maintained above 260°C. For intermittent high-temperature exposure up to ~180°C: lithium complex or polyurea are sufficient and more economical. For applications above 200°C continuous (furnace chains, kiln bearings, oven conveyors): only organoclay clay grease provides reliable performance.
Which organoclay grade is best for lubricating grease?
For mineral oil and PAO base: CP-EL or CP-GL (most widely used grease grades — consistent NLGI 2 at 7–9 wt% in Group I/II mineral oil). For ester-based and high-polarity synthetic oils: CP-EDS (fine particle ≤10 μm, broader polarity range). For wide-range base oil compatibility: CP-34 or CP-40. Contact our technical team with your base oil specification and target NLGI grade for a specific recommendation and free sample.
What is the difference between clay grease and lithium grease?
Clay grease (organoclay-thickened): no drop point, >260°C service, excellent water washout resistance (ASTM D1264 <5%), wide -30°C to >200°C operating range — ideal for extreme temperature and moisture exposure. Lithium grease: drop point ~190°C, max continuous service ~120°C, good water resistance — suitable for general industrial, automotive, and moderate-temperature applications. Clay greases are typically more expensive but provide performance that lithium greases cannot match at high temperatures.
How is organoclay grease manufactured?
No saponification is required. Process: heat base oil to 60–70°C → add organoclay (7–10 wt%) under agitation → add polar activator (30–40% of organoclay weight) → high-shear mix 25–30 minutes → pass through colloid mill 2–3 times (this is the critical step — colloid milling achieves full platelet delamination and consistent NLGI grade) → cool → add performance additives → filter and package. Skipping the colloid mill step results in inconsistent penetration and poor performance.
Recommended grades for lubricating grease: CP-250A (synthetic & vegetable oil, drop point >260°C) ·
CP-720A (vegetable oil, biodegradable EAL grease) ·
CP-2143 (naphthenic & paraffin mineral oil) ·
CP-2148 (zero impurities, precision bearings) ·
CP-21A (high purity, mineral oil base)
Related pages: High-Temperature Grease Guide ·
High Temperature Stability ·
What is a Gelling Agent? ·
Certifications & Quality
