High-temperature grease is a specialized industrial lubricant engineered to maintain structural stability, oxidation resistance, and protective film strength under sustained thermal load. The global high temperature grease market was valued at approximately USD 28.04 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 48.71 billion by 2035, according to industry market data compiled from third-party research. For procurement teams, maintenance engineers, and industrial distributors in sectors such as metallurgy, automotive, and heavy machinery, understanding how thickener chemistry, dropping point, and working temperature range interact is fundamental to selecting the correct product.

The Challenge of Lubrication at High Temperatures

Industrial equipment in steel plants, metallurgy, and heavy manufacturing operates under sustained thermal loads that conventional greases cannot withstand. When operating temperature exceeds a grease's structural limit, a sequence of failure mechanisms begins: the thickener framework softens, base oil bleeds from the structure, oxidation accelerates, and carbonaceous deposits form on bearing surfaces. Left unmanaged, these mechanisms cause higher friction torque, accelerated bearing wear, premature seal failure, and unplanned production downtime.

Under such conditions, the consequences of grease failure are rarely isolated. In a continuous casting operation, a seized bearing in a roller table can halt an entire production line for hours. Maintenance teams are then forced to choose between frequent manual re-greasing and premature component replacement. This is why high-temperature grease selection is an engineering decision rather than a commodity purchase. The correct grease must resist thermal softening, retain an extreme pressure film under shock loads, withstand water washout, and remain chemically stable over extended service intervals.

The selection of a high-temperature grease is therefore not a single-variable decision. The technical metrics that matter most include:

• Dropping point — the temperature at which the thickener structure collapses and the grease loses its semi-solid consistency.
• Working temperature range — the continuous operating limits within which the grease retains its lubrication function.
• PD value (weld load) — a measure of extreme pressure (EP) capacity; higher values indicate better resistance to scoring and welding under heavy loads.
• Water resistance — the ability to resist washout in humid or water-splash environments.
• Oxidation stability — resistance to chemical degradation at high temperature over time.

Within the high-temperature grease category, several thickener chemistries have evolved to address specific combinations of operating temperature, load, moisture, and re-lubrication interval. Lithium complex, polyurea, and calcium sulfonate complex greases each offer a distinct performance profile, while multipurpose lithium grease remains an economical baseline for moderate conditions.

XINGANG's High-Temperature Grease Portfolio

Hangzhou Xingang Lubrication Technology Co., Ltd. is a national high-tech enterprise established in 1993 that specializes in the research, development, production, and sales of high-performance lubricating greases and industrial lubricants. The company is headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, at 339 Yejia Rd., Xin'anjiang St., Jiande. It operates a 16,000-square-meter manufacturing facility, employs approximately 60 staff, and maintains an annual production capacity of 45,000 tons. The company's R&D team consists of 15 engineers.

XINGANG's product line includes industrial lubricants, industrial grease, high-temperature grease, lithium grease, polyurea grease, and calcium sulfonate complex grease, along with specialty performance greases and OEM formulations. The company also manufactures knitting machine oil, heat-setting machine oil, high-temperature chain oil, industrial gear oil, compressor oil, hydraulic oil, and engine oil.

Products serve industries including metallurgy, ports, automotive, machinery, textiles, printing and dyeing, paper making, sugar refining, chemicals, and power generation. Export business accounts for 10% of total sales, with major markets in Türkiye, South Africa, Russia, Southeast Asia, and Peru. In the steel sector, XINGANG products are adopted by enterprises including BAOWU Group, Hebei Steel Group, Shandong Steel Group, Ma Steel, Taigang Steel, Liugang Steel, Shaogang Steel, Shagang Steel, and Kungang Steel.

XINGANG's quality management system is certified to IATF 16949:2016 under certification number 2024A3002, covering lithium grease, lithium complex grease, calcium sulfonate complex grease, and polyurea grease products. The company additionally holds ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004, OHSAS 18001:2007, and ISO 10012:2003 certifications.

Technical Breakdown of High-Temperature Grease Types

High-temperature bearing grease selection begins with thickener chemistry. XINGANG documents four chemistry families across its high-temperature range, and the table below summarizes the key specifications.

High-Temperature Lithium Complex Grease (XG/HP, XG/HP-R)

XG/HP and XG/HP-R are high temperature extreme pressure lithium complex greases formulated with a lithium complex thickener and mineral oil. They operate from -20~180°C, with a dropping point of 300°C and a PD value of 315 kgf. The product provides stable lubrication under high-temperature conditions, extreme pressure anti-wear protection for bearings and gears, wide temperature adaptability, and oxidation resistance for long service life. Primary application industries include automobiles and metallurgy.

High-Temperature Polyurea Grease (XG/U series)

The XG/U series — models XG/U1, XG/U2, XG/U5, XG/U6, XG/U10, XG/U17, and XG/U18 — is a family of high temperature polyurea greases manufactured with polyurea thickener and mineral or synthetic base oils. These greases cover a working temperature range of -20~200°C and deliver a dropping point of 260°C. The series serves metallurgy, chemical processing, textiles, printing and dyeing, automobile, mining, oil field, coast defense, sugar refining, paper making, and plastic industries.

High-Temperature Calcium Sulfonate Complex Grease (XG/C4, XG/C5)

XG/C4 and XG/C5 are high temperature calcium sulfonate complex greases made of calcium sulfonate thickener and 150 BS base oil. Working temperature range spans -20~250°C, with a dropping point of 330°C and a PD value of 500 kgf. The product family is used in mining, machinery, and automotive applications where heavy-load wear protection, water resistance, rust protection, and long service intervals are required. The extended service cycle reduces grease replenishment frequency.

Multipurpose Lithium Grease (XG/L1, XG/L2)

XG/L1 and XG/L2 are multipurpose lithium greases made with lithium thickener and mineral oil, with a working temperature range of -20~120°C and a dropping point of at least 180°C. They serve multi-purpose, automotive, metallurgy, and power tool applications, providing a wide working temperature window for moderate thermal conditions.

Reference test standards

Two international standards provide a reference framework for evaluating high-temperature grease performance. ASTM D3336 is the standard test method used to evaluate the life of lubricating greases in ball bearings at elevated temperatures up to 400°F (204°C). DIN 51502 classifies high-temperature greases by maximum operating temperature using a letter code: K (+120°C), M (+120°C with water resistance), N (+140°C), P (+160°C), R (+180°C), S (+200°C), T (+220°C), and U (>+220°C). These classifications help engineers map a product's rated temperature to actual service conditions.

Application Scenarios in Heavy Industry

XINGANG high-temperature grease has been successfully used by large steel plants, metallurgical enterprises, and industrial equipment manufacturers. The products are used for lubrication of bearings in continuous casting, rolling mills, kiln cars, gearboxes, conveyors, vibrating screens, and other high-temperature and heavy-load lubrication points.

The metallurgy and iron & steel plant application scenario is characterized by high temperature, heavy load, impact load, and humid or water-splash environments. Lubrication is delivered through centralized lubrication systems, grease guns, gearbox spray equipment, and manual greasing. Products specified for these conditions are required to demonstrate good high-temperature thermal stability, strong anti-water washout performance, stable extreme pressure anti-impact properties, low carbon residue after high-temperature aging, and no corrosion to metal substrates.

From an operations perspective, grease selection must also align with the lubrication delivery method. Centralized lubrication systems require a grease that pumps well through distribution lines over long distances. Gearbox spray application demands a formulation suitable for that delivery mode. Manual greasing intervals benefit from a grease with an extended service life, reducing labor exposure in high-temperature zones. The XINGANG high-temperature range is suitable for centralized lubrication supply, gearbox spray and spot application, and manual greasing across slow-speed heavy-load sliding or rolling bearings.

These application scenarios are common in China, Russia, Turkey, Cameroon, and South Africa. For equipment operators in these regions, grease selection directly affects maintenance intervals and downtime. In the domestic Chinese market, XINGANG products are adopted by steel enterprises including BAOWU Group, Hebei Steel Group, Shandong Steel Group, Ma Steel, Taigang Steel, Liugang Steel, Shaogang Steel, Shagang Steel, and Kungang Steel.

Market Trends Shaping High-Temperature Grease

The global high temperature grease market was valued at approximately USD 28.04 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 48.71 billion by 2035. Asia Pacific led the market in 2025 with a 38% global share, driven by automotive manufacturing hubs.

Several structural developments are reshaping the market landscape:

• Lithium and lithium complex remain dominant. Lithium and lithium complex greases accounted for 38.3% and 18.6% of global production respectively in 2024, confirming that the lithium soap family remains the industry's backbone.
• Calcium sulfonate complex is growing. Calcium sulfonate grease production grew by 7.7% globally in 2024, gaining traction in heavy-duty industrial applications because of its water resistance.
• Raw material volatility is shifting demand. Lithium prices surged 80% to 120% between 2021 and 2023, driving manufacturers to adopt polyurea and calcium sulfonate alternatives for high-temperature applications to avoid cost volatility.
• Automotive is the largest end-use segment. The automotive segment captured 42.6% of the high-temperature grease market share in 2025.
• Polyurea is entering electrified applications. Polyurea greases are increasingly specified for Electric Vehicle (EV) wheel bearings and turbine yaw drives due to oxidation resistance across thermal cycles from -40°C to +180°C.

On the supply side, China's finished lubricant exports rose by 10% to 260,000 metric tons in 2024, reflecting Chinese producers' growing reliance on overseas markets. For international buyers, this expands the range of qualified sources and increases the importance of verifying manufacturer certifications and specification documentation.

Comparison with Conventional Greases and One Honest Limitation

Conventional multipurpose lithium soap grease — commonly referenced as MP3-type grease — is the default choice for many general industrial applications because of its balanced performance and low cost. However, MP3 grease reaches its structural limit at comparatively low temperatures. XINGANG's high-temperature products provide a dropping point that is 180 to 195°C higher than that of standard MP3 grease, meaning they maintain their structure in environments where conventional grease would oxidize, bleed, and carbonize.

One honest limitation should be noted: XINGANG's standard lithium grease (XG/L1, XG/L2) has a working temperature ceiling of 120°C. For equipment that runs continuously above that threshold, the appropriate choice is a complex thickener chemistry — lithium complex (300°C dropping point), polyurea (260°C), or calcium sulfonate complex (330°C). The label "high-temperature grease" covers a spectrum of capabilities, and matching grease chemistry to the actual thermal profile of the application is the decisive factor.

Future Outlook

As industrial thermal loads intensify and lithium price volatility persists, demand for complex and alternative thickener chemistries is expected to grow. Calcium sulfonate complex grease is gaining adoption in heavy-duty, water-contaminated environments. Polyurea grease is becoming a preferred specification in EV wheel bearings and renewable energy equipment, where oxidation resistance across wide temperature cycles is critical. Producers with dedicated R&D teams, certified quality systems, and scalable manufacturing capacity are positioned to serve this demand across both domestic and export markets.

FAQ

What is high-temperature grease?

High-temperature grease is a lubricating product engineered to maintain its structure, oxidation resistance, and protective film at elevated operating temperatures, typically above 120°C, where conventional multipurpose greases degrade. Key selection parameters include dropping point, working temperature range, PD value, water resistance, and oxidation stability.

What types of high-temperature grease does XINGANG produce?

XINGANG produces high-temperature lithium complex grease (XG/HP, XG/HP-R), high-temperature polyurea grease (XG/U1, XG/U2, XG/U5, XG/U6, XG/U10, XG/U17, XG/U18), high-temperature calcium sulfonate complex grease (XG/C4, XG/C5), and multipurpose lithium grease (XG/L1, XG/L2). Each family has a documented working temperature range, dropping point, and composition.

What do dropping point and PD value mean in grease specifications?

Dropping point is the temperature at which the thickener structure collapses and the grease loses its semi-solid consistency. PD value (weld load) measures a grease's extreme pressure capacity; a higher PD value indicates better resistance to scoring and welding under heavy loads.

Which industries use high-temperature grease?

Industries include metallurgy, ports, automotive, machinery, textiles, printing and dyeing, paper making, sugar refining, chemicals, and power generation. Typical lubrication points include bearings in continuous casting lines, rolling mills, kiln cars, gearboxes, conveyors, and vibrating screens.

What certifications support XINGANG's grease products?

XINGANG's quality management system is certified to IATF 16949:2016 with certification number 2024A3002, covering lithium grease, lithium complex grease, calcium sulfonate complex grease, and polyurea grease. The company also holds ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004, OHSAS 18001:2007, and ISO 10012:2003 certifications.