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GREASE APPEARANCE: DOES THE

COLOR OF GREASE MATTER, AND WHAT
DOES OIL SEPARATION MEAN?
Lubricating greases use a thickener to deliver a formulation of base oil and additives when
lubricating oils alone are not practical i.e., open gears, bearings, pins and bushings, etc. Grease
is mostly composed of base fluid, 75-95%, followed by 5-30% thickener, and 0-15% additives.
The additives help provide most of the unique features of the grease. The base fluid portion of
the grease is typically composed of Group I and Group II mineral base stocks. The percentage of
each base fluid depends, in most cases, on the desired base oil viscosity of the finished product.

The critical properties of a lubricating grease hence, the color does not necessarily indicate a
thickener depends on the application, but consistency particular application. While red greases are often
(hardness/softness), dropping point, corrosion and used in automobile chassis points, electric motors,
wear protection, water resistance, and protection or even wind turbines, it is important to confirm by
from extreme pressure and shock loads are common reviewing the label or product data sheet.
considerations. It is important to understand that
As the major components of the grease formulation,
no specific color ever reflects any of these critical
the base oils used at grease production facilities are
properties just mentioned.
secured locally when possible. There is color variability
within base fluids from different refineries, even those
Grease Color having the same properties. Therefore, the same
Lubricating greases are available to consumers in a grease product from two different manufacturing
variety of different colors, shades and opacities. These locations can show differences in color intensity or
colors are achieved by the addition of an appropriate tone. This can be seen in greases that contain dye
dye that does not affect the lubricating properties of but is especially true of greases that do not. The color
the grease. The principal reason for adding color to differences of base oils and grease products yielding
a grease is for easy identification by the end user; the same properties can be seen in Figure I and II.

Figure I Two different Group I Base Fluids Figure II The same grease from two different
manufacturing locations

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GREASE APPEARANCE: DOES THE COLOR OF GREASE MATTER,
AND WHAT DOES OIL SEPARATION MEAN?

Grease Oil Separation Recommended Storage Conditions and

Practices for Greases
Texture and Appearance During Storage 1. Store greases in a cool dry indoor area where
Changes in grease properties during storage are airborne particles are at a minimum. Indoor storage
dependent upon the thickener type and concentration, also prevents label and container deterioration from
the base fluids, and the additives used. The grease exposure to weather. The ideal storage temperature
may also exhibit a slightly “lumpy” or “grainy” texture range is between 0°C (32°F) to 25°C (77°F).
or develop minor surface cracking, often in association 2. Cartridges should be stored vertically, cap end on
with some oil separation as it ages, usually after a top, to lessen oil separation.
period of several weeks to several months. Again, no
3. If drums must be stored outside, use plastic covers
loss of lubricating performance is associated with this
or tip oil drums to direct water and contamination
texture change. The texture of the grease is restored
away from the bungs. Always store greases upright
by simply stirring the grease or by the action of a
to mitigate oil separation.
grease pump in dispensing the grease.
4. When necessary, bring grease to satisfactory
Oil separation can accelerate when stored in dispensing temperature just prior to use.
temperatures over 43°C (110°F). If grease is removed
5. Rotate inventory. Check the container fill date and
from a drum or pail, the grease surface should be
use the oldest container first.
smoothed to prevent oil separation into the cavity. Any
divots or potholes increases surface area that allow 6. Keep containers tightly covered or closed to avoid
more oil to separate. Oil separation values of up to contamination.
three percent have been observed. 7. Wipe off the tops and edges of containers before
opening to avoid contamination.
Polyurea greases are especially prone to separation,
which is normal, but guidelines are in place to 8. Use clean tools and equipment when pumping or
determine acceptable limits. See Chevron SRI Grease handling greases.
NLGI 2 – A Users Guide, for more information.
Oil Separation During Service
If separated oil is found in new, unopened containers
It is necessary to have oil separation from the thickener
and is not found to be excessive, take the following
during service because again, the thickener serves as
actions:
the mode of delivery of the lubricating oil. When the
• The oil can simply be poured off (or can be removed metal parts move and apply pressure to the grease, the
by means of an absorbent bag or other absorbent base oil and additives release from the thickener matrix
material) and the container resealed. Grease to lubricate the moving parts. When the parts stop,
performance will not be harmed. the oil is reabsorbed back into the thickener. In some
cases, if significant oil does not reabsorb back into the
• The oil can be stirred back into the first few thickener, this is also known as “bleeding” and some
centimeters and inches of grease using a large of the causes are due to using the wrong grease, gross
spatula, the surface of the grease can then be contamination, or incompatibility.
smoothed and the container resealed.
If excessive oil separation is observed, contact your When changing an application over to another grease,
Chevron Representative. there is a risk of incompatibility. While greases with the
same thickener are likely compatible, other additives
Oil separation observed in cartridges can be within the formula might not be. This can result in
poured off and dispensed as normal. When consistency or performance changes. Conversion to
storing the cartridge in the dispenser, it should be a grease with different thickener should especially
depressurized and stored horizontally to mitigate proceed with caution. Also, while lithium thickener
oil from coming out of the nozzle creating a remains the most prolific, a greater variety of other
housekeeping issue. thickeners are becoming available due to lithium
demands for batteries. Refer to Grease Compatibility
and Grease Lubrication Practices for more information
on grease compatibility.

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