Centralised lubrication systems deliver pre-metered grease through pipework from a central pump to 10-200 grease points on machine tools, CV chassis, earth-moving equipment. Requires NLGI 00 / 000 semi-fluid grease pumpable through long pipework. Indian market ~3,000-5,000 MT/year. This guide gives the lithium complex NLGI 00 BOM, semi-fluid characteristics, and SKF Lincoln / Vogel / Bijur system compatibility.
| Component | Function | % (m/m) | Indian Supplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group I SN500 base oil | Primary base — semi-fluid carrier | 84.0% | IOCL / HPCL Group I |
| 12-Hydroxystearic acid (low treat) | Primary fatty acid — reduced for semi-fluid | 4.5% | Croda / Wilmar India |
| Azelaic acid (complexing) | Complexing C9 dibasic acid | 1.0% | Croda / specialty |
| Lithium hydroxide monohydrate | Alkali for both acids | 1.3% | FMC / SQM |
| Sulphurised olefin EP | Extreme pressure for shock loading | 2.5% | Lubrizol Anglamol / BRB |
| Mixed ZDDP AW | Anti-wear | 1.0% | Lubrizol / LC-AW-ZDDP |
| 2,6-DTBP phenolic AO | Primary AO | 0.4% | BASF Irganox |
| Alkylated DPA aminic AO | Secondary AO synergist | 0.3% | LANXESS Naugalube 438L |
| ASA + TTA CI | Ferrous + yellow-metal protection | 0.5% | King K-Corr + Cobratec |
| PIB tackifier (Mn 1300, low treat) | Mild adhesion (don't reduce pumpability) | 0.3% | BASF Glissopal |
| Calcium nitrite | Vapour-phase rust | 0.4% | Indian inorganic |
| Group I 150N diluent | Consistency fine-tune to NLGI 00 | 3.8% | IOCL Group I |
| TOTAL | 100.0% | — | |
| NLGI 000 variant: 12-HSA 3.5% + azelaic 0.8% (softer, 445-475 penetration); rest same. | |||
Process: lithium complex saponification with REDUCED fatty acid treat (vs NLGI 2 EP2) gives lower soap percentage and semi-fluid consistency; saponification at 195-220 °C; dehydrate 180 °C; cool to 100 °C and add EP / AW / AO / CI / tackifier (PIB at low treat 0.3% to avoid reducing pumpability); GENTLE mill to NLGI 00 (penetration 400-430) or NLGI 000 (445-475). QC: drop >220 °C, 4-ball weld 250+ kgf, pumpability at -10 °C through 30 m of 8 mm tube. Ex-works ₹120-180 / kg NLGI 00; ₹110-170 / kg NLGI 000.
Centralised lubrication systems deliver pre-metered grease through pipework from a central reservoir / pump to multiple grease points (10-200 points) on machine tools, CV chassis, earth-moving equipment, pulp + paper machines.
Grease must be PUMPABLE through long thin pipework (10-30 m, 6-12 mm dia) at -10 to +60 °C ambient — requires NLGI 00 (400-430 penetration) or NLGI 000 (445-475). System OEMs: SKF Lincoln, Vogel, Bijur Delimon, Graco, Dropsa. India ~3,000-5,000 MT/year.
NLGI 00 lithium complex semi-fluid BOM (%): Group I SN500 84%, 12-HSA 4.5%, azelaic 1%, LiOH 1.3%, sulphurised olefin EP 2.5%, ZDDP 1%, phenolic AO 0.4%, aminic AO 0.3%, ASA + TTA 0.5%, PIB tackifier 0.3%, Ca nitrite 0.4%, balance Group I 150N diluent.
Process: Li complex saponification with REDUCED fatty acid treat for semi-fluid; cool 100 °C, add a balanced grease additive package; gentle mill to NLGI 00 (400-430). NLGI 000 variant: 12-HSA 3.5% + azelaic 0.8%. Drop >220 °C, 4-ball weld 250+ kgf, pumpable -10 °C through 30 m / 8 mm tube — all verified by ASTM lubricant & grease testing.
Centralised lubrication pumps grease through long pipework (10-30 m, sometimes 50+ m on large machines). Standard NLGI 2 grease cannot pump — too stiff, pressure drop too high. NLGI 00/000 semi-fluid pumps easily.
Trade-off: lower NLGI gives less consistent grease body — relies on continuous re-supply (0.05-0.5 g per shot every 5-30 min). Without continuous re-supply, semi-fluid grease would flow out of bearing under gravity / centrifugal force. Hand-greasing of NLGI 00/000 doesn't work — must be used in centralised system.
(1) Auto-greasing CV (truck / bus / tipper) with factory-fit central lube — Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Mahindra heavy CV. ~25-35%. (2) Earth-moving (JCB, Volvo, CAT, Hitachi, Komatsu excavator / loader / dumper). ~30-40%. (3) Machine tool centralised lube (CNC, lathe, milling). ~20-25%. (4) Pulp + paper + steel mill. ~10-15%.
Brands: SKF Lincoln LinGrease, Mobil Mobilith SHC, Shell Gadus S2 V220 00, IOCL Servo Centralub, BPCL Mak Centralub. ₹180-340 / kg. Lubechem (LC-CL-NLGI00) ex-works ₹120-180/kg; NLGI 000 ₹110-170/kg. To produce this in-house, see our indicative grease plant setup cost.
Three Indian centralised system OEMs: (1) SKF Lincoln (largest installed base) — Quicklub progressive divider, Single Line Parallel. Specific grease compat tested at SKF Lincoln Cologne lab. (2) Vogel (now SKF) — Lincoln equivalent. (3) Bijur Delimon — Multi Point Lubrication.
Each system has documented grease compatibility — Lubechem custom tested per SKF Lincoln Quicklub spec: pumpability (-10 °C, 30 m pipe), pressure drop, divider valve cycling. Lubechem grease tested for SKF Lincoln + Vogel + Bijur compatibility per batch.
Share your central lube system (SKF Lincoln / Vogel / Bijur), NLGI grade (00 vs 000), application (CV / mining / machine tool) and volume.