How Do Whitmore Omnilith 500 and Omnilith GL Lithium Complex Greases Protect Bearings?
Whitmore Omnilith 500 and Omnilith GL are lithium complex soap-base greases engineered to protect industrial and automotive components under severe operating conditions. By utilizing a robust lithium complex thickener, both greases resist structural breakdown, withstand high operational temperatures up to an occasional maximum of 450°F (232°C), and resist water washout. However, they are formulated differently to target distinct service profiles: Omnilith 500 is optimized for heavy-duty industrial applications with extreme shock loads, while Omnilith GL is tailored for automotive chassis and high-temperature wheel bearings.
Choosing the correct formulation depends on critical mechanical factors. Reliability engineers must evaluate the differences in base oil viscosity, weld point ratings under ASTM D-2596, and water washout resistance under ASTM D-1264 to match the grease to the operational environment.
What is the Difference in Four-Ball EP Weld Points Between Omnilith 500 and GL?
Omnilith 500 provides superior extreme pressure protection with an ASTM D-2596 Four-Ball EP weld point of 800 kg for the Grade 2 formula. This extreme threshold makes it ideal for heavily loaded antifriction and plain bearings found in mobile construction equipment, cranes, stackers, and hoists. The high weld point protects metal surfaces from scoring and welding under severe shock loads and vibration.
In contrast, Omnilith GL (offered in NLGI Grade 1 and Grade 2) features a Four-Ball EP weld point of 400 kg. While lower than Omnilith 500, this 400 kg rating still provides outstanding extreme pressure characteristics that easily meet and exceed automotive requirements. Omnilith GL Grade 1 features a Load Wear Index of 56.38, while Grade 2 features an index of 46.51, ensuring reliable film strength in high-load vehicle chassis components and universal joints.
How Do Base Oil Viscosities and Operating Temperatures Compare?
Base oil viscosity determines the film strength and load-carrying capacity of a grease at operating temperature. Whitmore Omnilith 500 Grade 2 is formulated with a heavy polymer-blended base oil, yielding a high kinematic viscosity of 455 cSt at 40°C (and 278 cSt at 40°C without the polymer). This thick, tacky film is perfect for slow-to-medium-speed bearings under heavy loads. It operates continuously at temperatures up to 350°F (177°C), with occasional peaks reaching 450°F (232°C).
Omnilith GL utilizes a lighter base oil with a kinematic viscosity of 220 cSt at 40°C for both Grade 1 and Grade 2. This lighter viscosity is optimized for higher-speed automotive wheel bearings, especially vehicles equipped with front disc brakes where high localized heat is generated during braking. Both grades of Omnilith GL feature a dropping point exceeding 500°F (260°C), preventing the grease from melting and running out of the hub during thermal spikes.
How Do Omnilith 500 and Omnilith GL Perform in Wet and Corrosive Environments?
Water contamination can quickly wash away low-quality greases, leaving bearings vulnerable to metal-on-metal wear and rust. Omnilith 500 is exceptionally water-resistant, exhibiting less than 5% loss in the ASTM D-1264 Water Washout test. This makes it the preferred selection for extremely wet environments, including textile washing machines, service stations, and industrial pumps.
Omnilith GL is also highly water-resistant but displays a slightly higher washout rate, yielding less than 15% loss under ASTM D-1264. Both product lines pass the ASTM D-1743 Rust Test and earn a 1B rating in the ASTM D-4048 Copper Strip Corrosion test (modified at 212°F/100°C for 3 hours), ensuring that yellow metals and steel components remain protected against chemical attack and oxidation.
Which Omnilith Grade is Best for Auto-Lube Systems and Winter Conditions?
Low-temperature pumpability is critical for automated lubrication systems. For industrial systems operating in cold winter conditions, Whitmore recommends the Omnilith 500 EP 1 grade because it is softer and flows more readily. For Omnilith 500 EP 2, the low-temperature pumpability limit measured with a Lincoln Ventmeter at 400 psi is 10°F (-12°C), with an overall ambient temperature lower limit of 0°F (-18°C).
Omnilith GL offers slightly better cold-weather mobility. Using the Lincoln Ventmeter at 400 psi, Omnilith GL Grade 1 pumps down to 5°F (-15°C), and Grade 2 pumps down to 10°F (-12°C). When pressure is increased to 600 psi, the pumpability limit drops even further to -5°F (-21°C) for Grade 1 and 0°F (-18°C) for Grade 2, ensuring consistent automated delivery during winter operations.
Summary
- Omnilith 500 Grade 2 features an exceptional ASTM D-2596 Four-Ball EP weld point of 800 kg, designed for heavy industrial shock loads.
- Omnilith GL is certified NLGI GC-LB, making it highly qualified for automotive chassis and high-temperature disc brake wheel bearings.
- Omnilith 500 resists water washout with less than 5% loss (ASTM D-1264), compared to less than 15% loss for Omnilith GL.
- Both greases utilize a lithium complex thickener, pass the ASTM D-1743 Rust Test, and achieve a 1B copper strip corrosion rating.
- Omnilith GL Grade 1 offers the lowest pumpability threshold, functioning down to -5°F (-21°C) at 600 psi in Lincoln Ventmeter testing.
Step-by-step
- Thoroughly clean the bearing housing or flush out the old grease to prevent compatibility issues.
- Select Omnilith 500 EP 1 or Omnilith GL Grade 1 for automated lubrication systems operating in cold winter environments.
- Apply Omnilith 500 EP 2 to heavy-duty industrial bearings, cranes, or conveyors exposed to high loads and wet environments.
- Use Omnilith GL for automotive chassis components, universal joints, and disc brake wheel bearings requiring GC-LB certification.
- Consult with Whitmore’s Technical Service Department if mixing with non-lithium complex greases to verify chemical compatibility.
Products discussed in this episode
- OMNILITH 500 M EP 2 50 CT Greases
- OMNILITH 500 EP 2 CAULK TUBES Greases
- OMNILITH GL 2 Pail Greases
- OMNILITH GL 2 Drum Greases
- OMNILITH 500 M EP
- WHITMORE OMNILITH 500 M EP 2 Keg Greases
- OMNILITH 500 M EP 2 Drum Greases
- OMNILITH 500 M EP 1 50 CT Greases
- WHITMORE OMNILITH 500 M EP 1 Pail Greases
- OMNILITH 500 M EP 1 Drum Greases
- OMNILITH 500 M EP
- WHITMORE OMNILITH 500 M EP 0 Drum Greases
- OMNILITH 500 EP 2 50 CARTRIDG Greases
- OMNILITH 500 EP
- WHITMORE OMNILITH 500 EP 2 Keg Greases
- OMNILITH 500 EP 2 Drum Greases
Browse all Whitmore products on PE Energy Industrial Supply.
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