What Is JetLube AP-5 and Why Does It Not Melt at High Temperatures?
JetLube AP-5 is a black, smooth, non-melting, water-resistant grease formulated from an organo clay (bentone clay) thickener rather than a conventional soap base. Because bentone clay does not exhibit a dropping point under ASTM D-566 testing — the value is listed as None — AP-5 retains its structural integrity at temperatures conventional soap-thickened greases cannot tolerate. This is the defining characteristic that separates AP-5 from standard multi-purpose greases in high-temperature applications.
The operating range runs from 0°F (-18°C) to 550°F (288°C), and the grease does not thicken excessively even at the low end of that range. Its flash point exceeds 560°F (293°C) per ASTM D-92, and the calculated autoignition point exceeds 680°F (360°C), providing substantial safety margin in furnace-adjacent environments such as oven conveyors and kiln bearings.
How Does MoS2 Improve Film Strength and Reduce Wear in AP-5?
JetLube AP-5 contains molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) as a solid-film lubricant additive, which yields high film strength with a low coefficient of friction. MoS2 platelet structures bridge metal surfaces under heavy load, reducing fretting corrosion in oscillating or slow-moving contacts — a common failure mode in kiln bearings, press guides, and crane ladle pivots.
The Shell 4-Ball test results (ASTM D-2596) quantify extreme-pressure performance: a weld point of 250 kgf and a load wear index of 40, with a wear scar diameter of 0.7 mm (ASTM D-2266). These figures confirm AP-5’s suitability for heavy-duty industrial loads where boundary lubrication conditions exist. The additive package also includes oxidation inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors, and metal deactivators, with oxidation resistance measured at less than 5.0 PSI drop over 100 hours (ASTM D-942).
What Equipment and Applications Is JetLube AP-5 Designed For?
JetLube AP-5 is approved for a broad set of industrial and oilfield applications. The source identifies the following primary use cases:
- Anti-friction bearings — ball and roller bearings, sleeve bearings, and journals
- Heavy-industry rotating equipment — kiln bearings, crushers, crane ladles
- Mechanical guides — press and hammer guides, lift-bridge pin bearings
- High-temperature rotating equipment — blowers, fans, and oven conveyors
- General lubrication — shackles, slides, conveyor chains, U-joints, sealed assemblies, chassis
- Oilfield connection lubrication (certain approved applications)
The NLGI Grade 2 rating and penetration of 265–295 at 77°F (ASTM D-217) place AP-5 in the standard general-purpose consistency range, making it compatible with most grease fittings and centralized lubrication systems without modification.
How Does AP-5’s Copper Strip Corrosion Rating Protect Metal Surfaces?
JetLube AP-5 earns a Copper Strip Corrosion rating of 1A (ASTM D-4048), the most favorable classification in that test. A 1A rating confirms the grease is non-corrosive to copper alloys — relevant for bronze bushings, brass fittings, and copper-wound motor housings commonly found in the industrial equipment AP-5 targets.
The combined presence of corrosion inhibitors, metal deactivators, and the MoS2 solid-film additive provides a multilayer defense: the inhibitors address electrochemical corrosion, the deactivators neutralize reactive metal ions, and MoS2 maintains a physical barrier even when the oil film thins under shock loading.
What Are AP-5’s Physical and Storage Characteristics?
AP-5 has a specific gravity of 0.92 and a density of 7.70 lb/gal. Base oil viscosity ranges from 414–506 cSt at 40°C (ASTM D-445), indicating a high-viscosity base oil appropriate for slow-speed, high-load bearing contacts. The fluid type is listed as lube oil, and the additive system combines organic additives with MoS2.
The grease is noted for superior storage life, mechanical stability under working conditions, and high adhesion to metal surfaces — characteristics that reduce re-lubrication frequency and product waste in field service. Water resistance further protects against washout in wet process environments such as paper mills, food processing conveyors, or outdoor crane operations.
JetLube is an ISO 9001 registered company. Product is available through direct contact at sales@jetlube.com for package types and part numbers.
Summary
- JetLube AP-5 uses a bentone clay (organo clay) thickener with no dropping point, operating from 0°F (-18°C) to 550°F (288°C) without melting.
- MoS2 additive delivers a Shell 4-Ball weld point of 250 kgf and a load wear index of 40 (ASTM D-2596), with fretting corrosion resistance for heavy-industry bearings.
- Flash point exceeds 560°F (293°C) per ASTM D-92; autoignition point exceeds 680°F (360°C) — suitable for oven conveyors, kiln bearings, and high-temperature blowers.
- Copper Strip Corrosion rating of 1A (ASTM D-4048) confirms compatibility with copper alloy components in mixed-metal assemblies.
- Base oil viscosity of 414–506 cSt at 40°C (ASTM D-445) and NLGI Grade 2 consistency make AP-5 compatible with standard grease delivery systems on crushers, crane ladles, press guides, and oilfield connections.
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