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 vs ₹140-200 / kg) but lower load capacity. This guide gives the recommended BOM, manufacturing SOP and India market positioning.
| Component | Function | % (m/m) | Indian Supplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group I SN500 base oil | Primary base oil, 130-150 cSt @ 40 °C | 81.0% | IOCL / HPCL Group I |
| 12-Hydroxystearic acid (12-HSA) | Soap-forming fatty acid | 9.0% | Croda / Godrej / Wilmar India |
| Lithium hydroxide monohydrate | Alkali for saponification | 1.5% | FMC / SQM / Albemarle |
| Mixed Pri/Sec ZDDP | Anti-wear, secondary AO (no EP) | 1.0% | Lubrizol / Afton / Lubechem LC-AW-ZDDP |
| 2,6-DTBP hindered phenol AO | Primary oxidation inhibitor | 0.3% | BASF Irganox / Songwon SongNox |
| Alkylated DPA aminic AO | Secondary AO synergist | 0.2% | LANXESS Naugalube 438L |
| Alkenyl-succinic acid (ASA) | Ferrous rust inhibitor | 0.4% | King Industries K-Corr 200 |
| Tolutriazole (TTA) | Yellow-metal corrosion inhibitor | 0.03% | PMC Ouvry Cobratec TT-100 |
| Polyisobutylene tackifier (Mn 1300) | Adhesion + cohesion | 0.5% | BASF Glissopal / INEOS Indopol |
| Calcium nitrite | Vapour-phase rust inhibitor | 0.3% | Indian inorganic suppliers |
| Mineral oil diluent (Group I 150N) | Cost-tuning diluent | 5.5% | IOCL Group I 150N |
| Yellow / light-amber dye | Visual identification | 80 ppm | BASF / Clariant pigments |
| TOTAL | 100.0% | — | |
Process: saponify 195-205 °C, dehydrate 130-140 °C, add additives below 110 °C, mill to NLGI 2. Final QC: 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. 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.
| 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% |
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 (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.
The cost saving vs EP2 is meaningful at volume — 1,000 MT/year MP volume saves ₹2-5 crore 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.
Share your target NLGI (1 / 2 / 3), volume requirement and price target. We respond within one business day with the BOM, process SOP and ex-works cost.