1 800 255 4417
www.castrol.com/GPS
Greases
Background & Properties
July 2017
Important Properties
The NLGI has initiated two grease performance areas that define where and how grease can be used. The first relates
to where grease can be used and is outlined below:
• LA and LB: Indicates the grease's suitability for use in chassis bearings and applications
• GA, GB, GC: Shows the grease's suitability for wheel bearing applications and the
temperature at which the grease can operate successfully.
A NLGI GC/LB grease meets the highest performance specifications for both chassis and wheel bearing applications.
Category Service Performance
LA chassis Frequent relubrication intervals
(>3200 km).
Mild duty (non-critical
applications).
Oxidation resistant, shear stable and
corrosion and wear protective.
LB chassis Prolonged relubrication intervals
(<3200).
Mild to severe duty, high loads,
vibration, exposure to water.
Oxidation resistant, shear stable, and
corrosion and wear protective, even
under heavy loads and in presence of
aqueous contamination.
Temperature range -40 to 120°C.
These specifications are largely directed toward automotive products, and in some instances may not be adequate for
heavy-duty equipment.
NLGI Grades-Greases
NLGI Grade
Number
Penetration
ASTM
Description and Typical Use
000 445-475 Semifluid: Centralized Systems
00 400-430 Semifluid: Centralized Systems
0 355-385 Semifluid: Centralized Systems
1 310-340 Very Soft: Grease guns or Centralized Systems
2 265-295 Soft: Grease guns or Centralized Systems
3 220-250 Light: Grease guns
4 175-205 Medium: Pressure guns
5 130-160 Heavy: Grease guns
6 85-115 Bloc: Open Grease Collars
The second performance area relates to the "body" or consistency of the grease. The consistency of the grease is
similar to the viscosity of an oil. Grease consistency is graded from 6 to 000 and is usually found next to the NLGI
indicator. For example, the most widely used grease is a NLGI GC/LB 2.
F 4
