Nonmelting Grease—Nonmelting grease can be used at temperatures above the maximum temperature briefly, but then will break down more quickly.

2 NLGI Grade—NLGI 2 is about the consistency of peanut butter.

ASTM E595—Grease that meets ASTM E595, a standard used by NASA, will produce almost no volatile emissions, even in a high vacuum. It's a good choice for use around sensitive electronics.

FDA Compliant 21 CFR 178.3570—Grease that meets FDA Compliant 21 CFR 178.3570 is rated for incidental contact with food.

NSF Registered H1—Grease that is NSF Registered H1 is rated for incidental contact with food.

Dielectric Strength—Dielectric strength measures the maximum voltage a grease can withstand without losing its insulating properties. The higher the dielectric strength, the better its quality as an insulator.

Synthetic Oil Base—Synthetic oil lasts longer than mineral oil and withstands a wider range of temperatures.

FDA Compliant 21 CFR 178.3570 and NSF Registered H1—Oil that is NSF Registered H1 and oil that is FDA Compliant 21 CFR 178.3570 are rated for incidental contact with food.

PTFE Additive—Lubricants with PTFE provide long-lasting lubrication.

Silicone Rubber Additive—Lubricants with silicone rubber are clear, have excellent water resistance, and can be used on rubber. Not for use on painted surfaces.

Cannot Be Sold To—Lubricants cannot be sold to the listed areas due to product regulations.

2 NLGI Grade—NLGI 2 is about the consistency of peanut butter.

Nonmelting—Nonmelting grease can be used at temperatures above the maximum temperature briefly, but then will break down more quickly.

Weld Load—Weld load measures a grease's ability to withstand pressure in kilograms of force (kgf). The higher the rating, the more pressure the grease can withstand.

PTFE Additive—Lubricants with PTFE have small particles of PTFE that fill in surface imperfections for excellent lubricity.

Cannot Be Sold To—Lubricants cannot be sold to the listed areas due to product regulations.

Thin Liquid—Thin lubricants penetrate into small crevices in chain.

NSF Registered H3—Lubricants that are NSF registered H3 can have direct contact with food.

Thickener—Added for a more solid consistency, thickener also increases the heat and moisture resistance of grease. Choose grease with a thickener that’s best for your application. Lithium is a general purpose thickener. Calcium sulfonate and aluminum resist oxidation, which keeps the grease from hardening when it’s exposed to air for long periods. Calcium sulfonate resists higher heat than aluminum. Silica withstands the widest range of temperatures.

NLGI Consistency Grade—The higher the grade, the thicker the grease. Lower grades are best for cold temperatures and lubrication systems where grease needs to flow. Grade 0 is about the consistency of mustard. Grade 1 feels similar to tomato paste. Grade 2 is about as thick as peanut butter.

Base Oil—The foundation of a grease. Mineral oil is more economical, but synthetic oil lasts longer and performs better at extreme temperatures.

Additive—Boost the performance of the grease. Boron nitride creates a dry film that won’t wash out, even in salt water. Molybdenum disulfide holds up to extreme pressure and heavy wear. PTFE reduces friction to help parts slide easily. Zinc alloy neutralizes acid. It’s a safe replacement for lead.

Melting Temperature—When grease melts, it runs out of equipment and leaves it dry. Once melted, it won’t regain its original consistency. Choose a grease with a melting temperature that’s higher than your maximum operating temperature.