A Practical Guide to AeroShell Aviation Greases for Aircraft Maintenance
Grease is the unsung hero of all industrial machinery. It stinks, it stains everything, and it gets dirty. But without it, everything comes to a standstill. Grease is the lubricant that lets landing gear extend and retract, wheels and tires roll, and flight control surfaces like flaps and slats move unencumbered.
AeroShell, part of the renowned Shell oil company, is a long-standing industry leader in producing high-quality aircraft greases. Greenwood Aerospace is your preferred procurement partner for sourcing greases from AeroShell. We are an approved GSA Schedule holder and sell AeroShell products on GSA Advantage, making it easier for all approved government buyers to simplify the purchasing process.
Now, let’s take a look at the AeroShell line of aircraft greases.
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AeroShell Greases 101
Aircraft-grade greases are among the most important lubricants used on aircraft, ranging from multipurpose to high-temperature applications, and including simple airframe greases. Greases operate over a wide range of temperatures. Wheel bearing grease must operate at high temperatures, while general airframe lubrication does not.
AeroShell greases are formulated to meet strict airframe grease requirements. Most civil aircraft manufacturers suggest AeroShell products because they provide excellent levels of protection, resist corrosion and oxidation, and meet MIL-PRF specs for use in military aircraft.
The two main categories of grease in aircraft and aerospace use are:
- Multipurpose greases: Designed for general airframe lubrication and broad applicability.
- Specialized greases: Engineered for wheel bearing grease, rotor hubs, or lubricating highly loaded gears.
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What Sets AeroShell Greases Apart?
So, what sets Aeroshell grease apart from its competition?
For one thing, every AeroShell grease meets or exceeds military performance standards or OEM standards, which makes them approved by most similar craft manufacturers. They comply with OEM specifications, such as Boeing BMS and Airbus AIMS.
AeroShell grease also excels at extreme temperatures and high pressure. Whether it’s in sub-zero degrees Celsius or handling high-temperature limits at high speeds, bearings, namely wheel bearings, AeroShell brand aircraft greases maintain structural stability.
Another place where these greases excel is in long-life corrosion resistance. The additives and base oils are carefully tested and selected to fight corrosion, oxidation, and water washout. This extends the component life, reduces aircraft downtime, and provides extended service intervals.
- MIL-PRF and OEM compliance
- Extreme temperature and pressure performance
- Long life and corrosion resistance
AeroShell Grease 5: Wheel Bearings and Engine Accessories
Now let’s take a look at each grease. Grease 5 is made for wheel bearings and engine accessories. It is a mineral oil base with a microgel thickening agent. It contains load-carrying additives that protect the components under high temperatures and high pressure.
- Base oil/thickener: Mineral oil, Microgel thickener
- Operating temp range: –23 °C to +177 °C
- Key specs: Meets MIL-G-3545C (obsolete), NATO Code G-359 (obsolete)
- Applications: Wheel bearings (especially high-speed landings), aircraft and engine accessories (magnetos, generators, starters)
- Performance highlights: Good load-carrying ability, oxidation and corrosion inhibited, excellent water resistance, 600+ hr anti-friction performance at 149 °C
AeroShell Grease 6: General Purpose Airframe Grease
Grease 6 is a classic, general-purpose airframe grease suitable for use throughout the aircraft's systems.
- Base oil/thickener: Mineral oil, Microgel thickener
- Operating temp range: –40 °C to +121 °C
- Key specs: MIL-PRF-24139A, DEF STAN 91-12, NATO G-382
- Applications: Antifriction bearings, gearboxes, plain bearings
- Performance highlights: Good oxidation/corrosion resistance, low noise capability, water resistant, 2000+ hour anti-friction bearing life at 121 °C
AeroShell Grease 7: Synthetic Multipurpose Grease
AeroShell Grease 7 is a multi-purpose synthetic grease commonly used as a general-purpose lubricant for airframe applications.
- Base oil/thickener: Synthetic ester (diester), Microgel thickener (clay-based)
- Operating temp range: –73 °C to +149 °C
- Key specs: MIL-PRF-23827C Type II, COMAC QPL-CMS-OL-302
- Applications: Highly loaded gears, actuator screw mechanisms, instruments, and general airframe lubrication
- Performance highlights: Wide temperature range, high load capacity (60 kg), excellent water resistance, 2460 hour anti-friction bearing performance at 121 °C
AeroShell Grease 14: Helicopter Multipurpose Grease
Built specifically for rotorcraft, Grease 14 is made for the harsh demands of helicopters.
- Base oil/thickener: Mineral oil, calcium soap thickener
- Operating temp range: –54 °C to +93 °C
- Key specs: MIL-G-25537C, DEF STAN 91-51, NATO G-366
- Applications: Helicopter main/tail rotor bearings, splines
Performance highlights: Excellent anti-fret and anti-moisture properties, passes copper corrosion/bearing protection tests, 1700+ hr antifriction bearing life at 93 °C.
AeroShell Grease 22: Advanced General-Purpose Grease
Another general-purpose grease, Grease 22, is made for harsh duties.
- Base oil/thickener: Synthetic hydrocarbon oil, Microgel thickener
- Operating temperature range: –65 °C to +204 °C
- Key specs: MIL-PRF-81322F, DEF STAN 91-52, NATO G-395
- Applications: Wheel bearings, engine accessories, actuators, control systems, screw jacks, rotor bearings, instruments, landing gears
- Performance highlights: Extensive temperature range, excellent oxidation/corrosion resistance, low water washout (0.5%), long grease retention, 400+ hr antifriction performance at 177 °C.
AeroShell Grease 33: The Universal Airframe Standard
Grease 33 by AeroShell is an industry-standard grease for airframe applications.
- Base oil/thickener: Synthetic hydrocarbon/ester, lithium complex thickener
- Operating temp range: –73 °C to +121 °C
- Key specs: MIL-PRF-23827C Type I, Boeing BMS 3-33B, Airbus AIMS 09-06-002, COMAC QPL-CMS-OL-302
- Applications: Universal airframe grease (replaces multiple greases), used by Boeing, Airbus, Embraer, Gulfstream, etc.
- Performance highlights: Reduced inventory needs, corrosion/oxidation inhibited, 1200+ hr anti-friction performance at 121 °C, excellent water resistance
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AeroShell Grease 64: EP Grease
Made from molybdenum disulfide for heavy-load areas, Grease 64 is designed for aircraft applications, namely landing gear and bogie pivot pins.
- Base oil/thickener: Synthetic base oil, lithium thickener with 5% molybdenum disulfide
- Operating temp range: –73 °C to +121 °C
- Key specs: MIL-G-21164D, NATO G-353
- Applications: Landing gear assemblies, bogie pivot pins, heavily loaded sliding surfaces
- Performance highlights: Superior EP properties, protects against fretting and galling, corrosion/oxidation inhibited, water resistant
Why Choose Greenwood Aerospace for AeroShell Greases?
From general airframe greases, synthetics, to heavy-duty greases specified for the harshest duty on the aircraft, AeroShell makes it all, and Greenwood Aerospace is the HUBZone-certified, Native American-owned procurement specialists you have worked with for over four decades.
We are also a U.S. Department of State ITAR-registered company, 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
We specialize in supporting military and government maintenance and operational support for their aircraft fleets with parts, components, rotables, and bulk consumables like AeroShell grease.
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