The Maintenance Professional's Guide to AeroShell Aviation Greases
Continuing our series on AeroShell aviation greases, lubricants, and oils, this article focuses on selecting the proper grease for your specific mission. Whether your unit flies Cessna 206s over the Rio Grande or C-37s transporting the highest-priority DVs in the military, airplanes and helicopters require the best grease available.
Let’s take a look at how AeroShell greases are the right choice for your mission, in the right temperature range, for applications ranging from wheel bearings to actuator screw mechanisms, and everything in between.
Greenwood Aerospace is a GSA Schedule holder and provides a complete line of AeroShell petroleum products through GSA Advantage, offering hassle-free, no-haggling, no-red-tape purchasing.
For any questions, expedited delivery requests, large order inquiries, or to confirm product availability, please don't hesitate to contact us at gsasales@greenwood.aero or call us at 580-865-6000 or 833-GSA-EBUY (833-472-3289). As a proud Native American-owned, HUBZone-certified small business, we are committed to delivering high-quality service with rapid, reliable delivery.
Grease Requirements: AeroShell Grease
Sometimes you need wheel bearing grease. At other times, on the same aircraft, you may need general airframe lubrication. Most civil aircraft manufacturers recommend AeroShell greases because they meet or exceed both civil and military standards.
Commercial airplanes and military aircraft share many standard requirements, and there is indeed considerable crossover in both usage (e.g., C-12 Huron, Cessna Citation UC-35, Gulfstream C-37, Boeing 737) and standards. They all need the same things: to extend component life, to protect roller bearings, long-term grease retention, and to operate at a very wide temperature range.
AeroShell greases are trusted because they deliver consistent performance across a wide range of temperatures. They are formulated to meet the demands of modern airframes, from high-speed bearings to heavily loaded actuators and gears.
When your maintenance team chooses grease, maintenance professionals must consider factors such as corrosion resistance, oxidation stability, water washout resistance, and performance under high bearing loads. These factors determine if a grease is fit for the mission.
Grease Performance
AeroShell greases set a high standard of performance in the aviation industry, offering superior protection from corrosion and oxidation, as well as exceptional load-carrying capability in severe operating conditions. AeroShell greases are designed to handle a wide range of applications.
The choice of thickening agent matters. AeroShell greases often use clay (Microgel), which enhances retention and stability under severe operating conditions. By retaining their structure longer, these greases provide consistent lubrication and reduce the frequency of reapplication.
Multi-Purpose Greases and Corrosion Protection
Versatility is a crucial characteristic in aircraft maintenance, and it can be just as important as specialization in grease use. Multipurpose greases, such as AeroShell Grease 33, help simplify logistics by being used in a wide range of applications.
Corrosion protection is critical in aviation, where aircraft operate in environments with high salt content (Guam, Hawaii, and Florida) or in dusty, corrosive conditions. AeroShell greases are formulated to combat both oxidation and corrosion, thereby extending component life in harsh climates.
Whether your base oil is high-resistance synthetic or a legacy mineral-based oil, all AeroShell greases are specially formulated for the task at hand, utilizing appropriate thickener types and water resistance additives tailored to the specific purpose. Friction and pressure are key factors in premature wear on surfaces, and AeroShell is up to the task.
Grease Shelf Life and Storage
As with all lubricants, shelf life is a crucial factor. Although it is not always at the forefront of everyone’s mind, it has a direct impact on reliability and cost. AeroShell greases are formulated to offer a long shelf life, so make sure to check the TDS for the particular grease in question to get an accurate shelf life.
Storage plays a huge role in making sure shelf lives are accurate. Proper storage practices are critical. Old grease may separate, but careful stirring can often restore its uniformity. Following manufacturer guidelines for shelf life and remixing ensures stored grease remains serviceable.
Storage conditions, such as temperature and humidity, also affect shelf life. AeroShell designs its greases to withstand a range of storage environments, but best practice is always to store them in clean, climate-stable conditions to maximize performance. Make sure to also check the manufacturer's SDS for each grease type for storage temperature, and keep them in an appropriate HAZMAT locker.
Parting Thoughts
Greases and oils are not the most exciting part of aircraft maintenance; when we think of maintenance, we tend to think of pulling an engine or major airframe components, such as stabilizers or actuators. But in actuality, most aircraft maintenance is benign tasks like topping off the oil reservoir between flights, making sure the struts are serviced correctly with nitrogen and hydraulic fluid, and greasing flap tracks and grease zerks during routine PMs.
Sourcing Grease from Greenwood Aerospace Via GSA Advantage
Greenwood Aerospace has been in the business of sourcing consumables for many years, and our team of procurement experts is here to help you source the AeroShell products you need for your team.
You can contact us at gsasales@greenwood.aero or call us at 580-865-6000 or 833-GSA-EBUY (833-472-3289). As a proud Native American-owned, HUBZone-certified small business, we are committed to delivering high-quality service with rapid, reliable delivery.
Additionally, we are a U.S. Department of State ITAR-registered entity, which enables us to partner with large defense contractors on various military initiatives involving the export of ITAR-controlled items. We hold the following certifications:
UEI: KVSUYYSJS174
DUNS: 604006874
Cage Code: 2Y735
ITAR DDTC Export Compliant
AS9120B QMS Certified
NAICS: 488190, 336413, 332722, 336411, 336413, 481212, 532411
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