Why You Should Use Royco 64 Synthetic Grease in Aircraft Maintenance

Have you ever witnessed a heavy jet departing an airport, failing to retract the landing gear, dump fuel, and return, only to find out it was due to improperly greased landing gear after a wash? It has happened, and probably more than most of us are aware of. The cost is staggering: dumped fuel to make landing weight, lost revenue if commercial, lost training or combat mission if military, and then maintenance costs from jack and retracts, troubleshooting, and so on. And all because there wasn’t enough grease in the landing gear. 

The issue can also be sub-standard grease quality, and the best way to address this problem is with high-quality aviation-grade greases. One of the industry-leading ordinary greases is Royco 64 Synthetic Grease. 

What Is Royco 64 Synthetic Grease?

Royco 64 is a high-performance synthetic grease engineered for demanding applications that require high load-carrying capacity, extreme pressure protection, and resistance to harsh environments.

Key Properties and Formulation

Here are some of the key characteristics of Royco 64:

Property

Description

Thickener

Lithium 12-hydroxy stearate

Base Oil

Thermally stable ester-based synthetic oil

Solid Lubricant

Microfine molybdenum disulfide (MoSâ‚‚)

Temperature Range

-100°F to 275°F

Key Benefits

High load, EP protection, rust/oxidation resistance, anti-seize

Typical Applications

Aircraft, military, industrial, high-load sliding steel surfaces

Material Compatibility

May soften natural rubber/neoprene

Royco 64 is a commercially available product, but it must meet MIL-G-21164D compliance to be used in military aircraft. MIL-G-21164 is a U.S. military specification defining the requirements for molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) grease, specifically engineered for extreme pressure applications in aircraft, missiles, and space vehicles. This high-performance grease is ideal for antifriction bearings and sliding surfaces operating under high-load, low-speed conditions.

Key Specifications & Properties of Royco 64/MIL-G-21164D:

Type: Molybdenum disulfide grease (MoS₂)

  • Use Case: High-load, low-speed applications in aerospace and defense equipment.
  • Temperature Range: Effective from -65°F to +250°F (-54°C to +121°C).
  • Base Oil: Mineral oil.
  • Thickener: Lithium soap.
  • Additive: MoS₂ for improved load-carrying capability and wear resistance.

Performance Requirements:

  • Must pass tests for corrosion resistance, oxidation stability, and wear protection.
  • Limited oil separation under heat and pressure conditions.
  • Effective under extreme pressure (EP) conditions.

What Are Some Benefits of Royco 64 in Aircraft Maintenance?

Most of the aircraft maintenance process is not about huge repairs and replacements; those are costly in terms of time, manpower, and money. Instead, the model relies heavily on mundane tasks, such as servicing components and systems with grease and lubricants, to prevent them from corroding and oxidizing. 

The components that use grease are subject to enormous amounts of friction from steel sliding, for instance. This generates a significant amount of heat and poses a risk of corrosion if not lubricated properly. Think about two slabs of steel rubbing against each other constantly. They are prone to gouging each other and generally roughing up the surfaces. Or take a ball bearing assembly: the steel bearings will destroy the bearing casing in no time if it is not lubricated. 

Royco 64 is formulated to prevent friction and corrosion associated with friction. 

Applications of Royco 64

 Royco 64 is a high-quality, general-purpose grease that is used across all aircraft types for lots of different uses. 

  • Landing gear assemblies: grease is used all over the landing gear assemblies. The bearing races on axles are butter lubricated prior to installing tires and wheels. Also, there are dozens of grease zerks all over the landing gear assembly; if these are not serviced properly, the landing gear will not swing properly.

  • Bearings: bearings are used all over the aircraft, and they are always packed with grease. Royco 64 is a great general-purpose aviation grease to pack bearings.

  • Actuators and linkages: Actuators, linkages, flap jack screws, and various other flight control components must be regularly serviced, typically during 100-hour and other scheduled inspection cycles. Royco 64 is a top pick for lubricating linkages, and it also provides the best corrosion prevention method.

How to Use Royco 64 Safely and Effectively

Here are a few key ways to use Royco 64 correctly. 

First, always observe the shelf life. When the time comes, discard it and replace it with a new one. For military applications, unless otherwise stated, the maximum shelf life is 24 months. Also, always use proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for grease, which includes protective gloves and eye protection. 
Use Royco 64 only where the type of grease is specified. It is a general-purpose product, but some components and parts require specialized greases, so be sure to follow the specific instructions and directions. 

Why Aircraft Technicians Trust Royco 64

Royco 64 synthetic grease has been a long-standing industry standard and has been used on numerous military, commercial, and private aircraft worldwide. You can expect the same high level of quality every time you buy Royco products, which is why we carry them. 

Where to Buy Royco 64

You can buy directly through Greenwood Aerospace, a trusted supplier of aviation-grade lubricants. We will work to deliver the quantity you need at a price you cannot beat. We provide Royco 64 in 6.5lb quantities, and we can procure whatever amount you need for your mission. 
Additionally, when speaking with the procurement professionals at Greenwood Aerospace, be sure to request a list of the other lubricants and greases we offer, allowing you to purchase all your products from a single trusted source. 

Call us at (580) 762-2580, or email us at 

contact@governmentprocurement.com. One of our procurement specialists will get with you quickly, usually by the following day.