Oct 16 2007
ExxonMobil Aviation Lubricants today introduced Mobilgrease 33, multi-purpose airframe grease that meets performance requirements from Boeing, Airbus, SAE and the U.S. military. The new product can be used in up to 95 percent of Boeing commercial airframe grease application points and in the majority of Airbus commercial airframe grease application points.
Mobilgrease 33 was developed in response to demand from airlines for a single, general-purpose grease with excellent corrosion and wear resistance, and operability at very low temperatures. That, in turn, would allow the airlines to consolidate their inventory of greases, simplify maintenance, and reduce labor costs.
"Hundreds of airframe components and mechanisms require routine lubrication to perform properly," says Mike Hawkins, global marketing manager, ExxonMobil Aviation Lubricants. "Mobilgrease 33 reduces the need for multiple greases while increasing the potential for extending equipment life."
All greases are made from base oil, a thickener, and various additives to enhance performance. What differentiates Mobilgrease 33 from other low-temperature airframe greases is its base oil. It contains no esters and is 100 percent polyalphaolefin (PAO). Esters are compounds that are susceptible to hydrolysis, which is a chemical reaction with water causing decomposition and leading to the likely production of potentially corrosive acids.
Mobilgrease 33's proprietary PAO base oil eliminates the need for these problem-causing compounds, allowing ExxonMobil to offer a multi-purpose product that should outperform other airframe greases containing esters. A patent for the base oil has been applied for by ExxonMobil and is pending.
In addition to the 100 percent PAO base oil, Mobilgrease 33 contains a lithium complex thickener and premium additives to provide excellent low temperature performance and corrosion and wear resistance.
Mobilgrease 33 was added to Boeing's BMS 3-33B Qualified Products List (QPL) on December 5, 2006. The grease meets Airbus AIMS09-06-02 and SAE AMS 3052 requirements (release of specifications is pending). It is approved against MIL-PRF-23827C, Type I, and is compatible with grease qualified to BMS 3-33B.