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HUNDREDS OF airframe components need routine lubrication to perform efficiently. Multipurpose greases can help airline operators simplify inventory management and reduce the amount of greases they need to have. USING HIGH-QUALITY greases can help airline operators maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of their maintenance programs. MOBIL AVIATION Grease SHC 100 provides protection for operating temperatures up to 177 C, making it an ideal grease for aircraft wheel bearings. www.AviationPros.com 21 A multipurpose grease is extremely valuable to airlines for several reasons. Even under extreme temperature conditions, as high as 121 C and as low as -73 C, it can deliver outstanding protection against wear and rust and extend the life of bear- ings and components. Its proven performance is also documented by its approvals across a wide range of industry and OEM specifications, such as USAF-MIL-PRF-23827, Boeing — BMS 3-33B and Airbus — AIMS 09-06- 002, to name a few. This means that a multipurpose grease can help airline operators consolidate their grease invento- ries, reduce complexity, and minimize the chance of misapplication. WHAT IF I WANT TO SWITCH AND UPGRADE TO A DIFFERENT GREASE? Making sure they have the right grease(s) to opti- mize aircraft performance is a primary concern of any maintenance team. To that end, there are several common reasons why operators would choose to perform a grease conversion. It could be that they are dissatisfied with the per- formance of their current greases and are seeking a change, or they want to streamline inventory man- agement and use fewer types of grease throughout an aircraft and aircraft fleet. Or, it could be that the airframe or component OEM has changed its recommended greases for some applications. The lubricant supplier can help guide operators through the key factors that should be considered when selecting grease, including lubrication require- ments, age of equipment, environmental factors and conditions, preferred methods of grease applica- tions, and re-greasing intervals. Grease conversion procedures are well defined by airframe and component OEMs and consist of full purging of all previous grease, some- times with reduced intervals for the next greasing. During the purging process, the new, replacement grease is used to remove the old grease. When re-greasing the dispensing pump, the old grease should be wiped off the exter- nal parts and the pump should be cycled until the new grease is dispensed from the delivery line. By following the tips above, operators can help ensure that they are using the right greases and have the right lubrication part- ner to help maximize the effectiveness of their maintenance programs. Gary Dudley is global grease product tech- nical advisor for ExxonMobil Research and Engineering. For more information visit www. exxonmobilaviation.com.