What Is JetLube JET-RED and Why Use a Lithium Complex Grease?
JetLube JET-RED Premium Multipurpose Grease is a lithium complex thickened, petroleum oil-based grease available in four NLGI grades: EP 00, EP 0, EP 1, and EP 2. Its lithium complex thickener system delivers a high dropping point — up to 500°F (260°C) for the NLGI 2 grade — making it engineered for environments where conventional lithium greases fall short under sustained heat or heavy shock loads.
The grease is colored red with a smooth, tacky texture across all four grades. Base oil viscosity is 220 cSt at 40°C (ASTM D445) regardless of grade, providing a consistent lubrication film. The product targets industries where a single multipurpose grease can consolidate inventory: oil drilling rigs, construction and road building equipment, mining operations, and shipbuilding.
How Do the Four NLGI Grades of JET-RED Differ?
Grade selection drives performance in extreme conditions. The NLGI 1 and 2 grades are the primary multipurpose and EP choices for most bearing and journal applications. The NLGI 0 and 00 grades are formulated for enhanced flow and pumpability in extreme cold operating environments, with the EP 00 grade also suitable for leaky gearboxes that benefit from a slightly thickened, semi-fluid grease.
- EP 00: Cone penetration 400–430 (0.1 mm, ASTM D217); service range -30°F (-34°C) to 200°F (93°C); primarily for cold-climate pumpability and semi-fluid gearbox applications.
- EP 0: Cone penetration 355–385; dropping point 400°F (204°C); service range -20°F (-29°C) to 250°F (121°C).
- EP 1: Cone penetration 310–340; dropping point 450°F (232°C); service range -10°F (-23°C) to 300°F (149°C); water washout 13% (ASTM D1264).
- EP 2: Cone penetration 265–295; dropping point 500°F (260°C); service range 0°F (-18°C) to 400°F (204°C); water washout 5%; oil separation 1% (ASTM D6184).
All four grades carry a flash point greater than 430°F (221°C) per ASTM D92, pass ASTM D1743 rust prevention testing, and achieve a copper corrosion rating of 1A (ASTM D4048).
What EP Load-Carrying Performance Does JET-RED Provide?
JetLube JET-RED delivers a Four-Ball Weld Point of 500 kgf across all four grades (ASTM D2596), placing it firmly in the extreme-pressure category. Four-Ball Wear values are 0.6 mm for the EP 00 and EP 0 grades and 0.55 mm for EP 1 and EP 2 (ASTM D2266), indicating marginally better wear resistance at higher consistencies.
The grease supports DN speeds up to 200,000, making it suitable for high-speed bearings such as those found in fans, blowers, pumps, and conveyor systems. High film strength combined with high adhesion to metal surfaces reduces the risk of lubricant displacement under vibration or centrifugal force.
What Applications Is JET-RED Best Suited For?
JET-RED is specifically designed for bearings, anti-friction bearings, journals, and general greasing points where a single multipurpose EP product simplifies inventory management. The source identifies the following application categories:
- Oil drilling rigs and downhole equipment
- Construction and road building machinery
- Mining operations
- Shipbuilding environments with high humidity and salt exposure
- Fans, blowers, pumps, and conveyor bearings
- Drive trains, ball bearings, journal bearings, roller bearings, screw jacks, and universal joints
The grease’s resistance to water, oxidation, rust, and heavy loads makes it viable in outdoor or wet environments. Rust prevention is confirmed by ASTM D1743 pass ratings across all grades, and water washout losses for EP 1 and EP 2 are 13% and 5% respectively, reflecting meaningful water resistance at higher consistencies.
How Does JET-RED Perform Against Heat and Oxidation?
The lithium complex thickener is the principal reason JET-RED’s higher NLGI grades maintain structural integrity at elevated temperatures. The EP 2 dropping point of 500°F (260°C) means the grease retains its consistency well above typical operating peaks in heavy-duty industrial applications. The EP 1 grade reaches 450°F (232°C), and the EP 0 grade 400°F (204°C).
Oil separation for EP 1 is 12% and for EP 2 is 1% (ASTM D6184), indicating that the EP 2 grade holds its base oil within the thickener matrix more effectively during static or high-temperature conditions — an important factor in bearing sumps that experience thermal cycling.
Summary
- JetLube JET-RED is a lithium complex EP grease with four NLGI grades (EP 00, 0, 1, 2), all built on a 220 cSt base oil at 40°C.
- Dropping point reaches 500°F (260°C) for NLGI EP 2, with a flash point above 430°F (221°C) for all grades.
- Four-Ball Weld Point is 500 kgf across all grades; DN speed capability extends to 200,000.
- NLGI 0 and 00 grades offer enhanced pumpability for cold climates down to -30°F (-34°C) and semi-fluid gearbox use.
- All grades pass ASTM D1743 rust prevention and carry a 1A copper corrosion rating, supporting use in wet, dirty, and corrosive environments.
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