Multi-Purpose Grease —
MP Grease NLGI 2 BOM & Recipe
Multi-purpose (MP) grease is the entry-level general-purpose grease — lithium 12-hydroxystearate NLGI 2 soap thickener without (or with very mild) EP additive. Used in low-load bearings, household machinery, plumbing, low-speed industrial points, automotive hub repacking, garden equipment and light industrial maintenance. Cheaper than EP2 (₹120-180 / kg, ~US$1.4–2.1/kg, vs ₹140-200 / kg, ~US$1.7–2.4/kg) but lower load capacity. This guide gives the recommended BOM, manufacturing SOP and global market positioning, India included.
When MP Is Right
and When EP2 Is Required
Working MP Grease NLGI 2
Lithium 12-OH BOM & %
| Component group | Typical role | Typical share |
|---|---|---|
| Base oil(s) | Carrier fluid (mineral / synthetic / bio) | ~75–90% |
| Thickener / soap system | Builds structure & consistency (NLGI grade) | ~8–15% |
| EP / anti-wear additive package | Load-carrying & wear protection | ~2–6% |
| Antioxidant, corrosion inhibitor, tackifier | Service life, rust protection, adhesion | balance |
Indicative high-level composition only. The exact components, treat rates, performance additives and approved suppliers are shared under NDA as part of a Lubechem formulation engagement.
Process: saponify 195-205 °C, dehydrate 130-140 °C, add additives below 110 °C, mill to NLGI 2. Final QC against ASTM lubricant & grease testing: dropping point 188-192 °C, working penetration 270-285, 4-ball weld 160-200 kgf, copper-strip D4048 1B. Ex-works cost ₹105-145 / kg at 5 MT batch — per-kg economics hinge on the underlying grease plant setup cost amortised across volume. The 5.5% mineral oil diluent is the cost-tuning lever — substitute up to 50% with cheaper Group I 150N to reach lowest cost; or replace entirely with SN500 for higher-end MP positioning.
Five-Step MP Grease
Production Cycle
Working MP Grease
Target Properties
| Property | Test Method | MP Target | EP2 Target (Comparison) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worked Penetration | ASTM D217 | 265-295 | 265-295 |
| Dropping Point | ASTM D2265 | 185 °C min | 185 °C min |
| 4-Ball Weld Load | ASTM D2596 | 160-200 kgf | 250 kgf min |
| 4-Ball Wear Scar | ASTM D2266 | <0.70 mm | <0.55 mm |
| Copper Strip @ 100 °C / 24 hr | ASTM D4048 | 1B | 1B |
| Water Washout @ 79 °C | ASTM D1264 | <15% | <15% |
| Oxidation Stability (D942 100 hr) | ASTM D942 | <50 kPa | <40 kPa |
| Roll Stability Change | ASTM D1831 | <20% | <15% |
Frequently Asked About
Multi-Purpose Grease
Multi-purpose (MP) grease is the entry-level general-purpose grease — lithium 12-hydroxystearate NLGI 2 soap thickener without (or with very mild) EP additive. Used in low-load bearings, household machinery, plumbing, low-speed industrial points, and as a generic grease where EP2 is not specified.
Distinguished from EP2 by absence of sulphur-phosphorus EP package — MP grease 4-ball weld is typically 160-200 kgf (vs 250+ kgf for EP2). Cheaper than EP2 (₹120-180/kg vs ₹140-200/kg) but lower load capacity. Common in automotive hub repacking, garden equipment, light industrial maintenance.
NLGI 2 lithium 12-OH MP grease BOM (%): Group I SN500 base oil 81.0%, 12-hydroxystearic acid 9.0%, lithium hydroxide monohydrate 1.5%, mixed Pri/Sec ZDDP 1.0%, phenolic AO 2,6-DTBP 0.3%, aminic AO alkylated DPA 0.2%, ASA corrosion inhibitor 0.4%, tolutriazole 0.03%, PIB tackifier Mn 1300 0.5%, calcium nitrite 0.3%, mineral oil diluent 5.5%, dye 80 ppm.
Process: saponify 195-205 °C, dehydrate 130 °C, finish 110 °C, mill to NLGI 2. Dropping point 188-192 °C, penetration 270-285, 4-ball weld 160-200 kgf, copper strip 1B.
EP2 grease has sulphur-phosphorus EP additive — gives 4-ball weld 250+ kgf for shock loading and metal-metal contact. Required for CV chassis lube, agricultural PTO, industrial gear, mining. MP grease has mild AW only — 4-ball weld 160-200 kgf. Suitable for low-load steady-running bearings, plumbing seals, household machinery, automotive hub repack for non-driven wheels.
The cost difference is ₹20-50/kg; the application difference is whether shock load or sustained metal-metal contact is expected. Default for unknown application: use EP2.
BIS IS 7623 doesn't have an MP-specific weld load — only the EP2 spec at 250 kgf. Industry convention for MP grease is 160-200 kgf 4-ball weld load (achieved by ZDDP AW alone at 1% treat plus some natural EP from lithium soap). MP grease is suitable for low-load applications where weld load is not the limiting failure mode. Customers who need higher weld should specify EP1 or EP2 instead.
Indian ex-works price for MP grease at 5 MT batch ₹105-145/kg depending on Group I vs Group II base oil and dye/odorant grade. Branded retail ₹150-250/kg (~US$1.8–3/kg) (IOCL Servo MP, Mak MP, HP MP, Castrol). Private-label retail ₹120-180/kg. Margin between blender ex-works and aftermarket retail ₹35-70/kg (~US$0.4–0.8/kg).
The cost saving vs EP2 is meaningful at volume — 1,000 MT/year MP volume saves ₹2-5 crore (~US$236k–590k) vs equivalent EP2.
No — MP grease and EP2 grease have different BIS specs. Selling MP-formulated grease labelled as 'EP2' would fail BIS IS 7623 testing (4-ball weld load test fails). Brand positioning should be honest — 'MP grease' or 'general-purpose grease' for the MP formulation.
For aftermarket where customers expect EP2 capability at low price, the right approach is custom EP2 with cost-optimised BOM (lower-cost EP additive, value-engineered base oil) — not falsely labelled MP.
NLGI 2 is the universal MP standard (working penetration 265-295) — works in grease gun, ratchet applicator, sealed bearing cap. NLGI 1 (310-340) is softer — for low-temperature application below 5 °C where NLGI 2 becomes hard to pump. NLGI 3 (220-250) is stiffer — for high-temperature application above 80 °C ambient where NLGI 2 becomes too fluid.
Most MP volume is NLGI 2; ~5% is NLGI 1; ~3% is NLGI 3.
From MP Brief
to Finished Grease
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