Aeroshell Grease

AeroShell aviation greases are formulated for the demanding lubrication requirements of aircraft wheel bearings, landing gear, flight controls, actuators, bearings, gears, hinges, helicopter rotor systems and other aircraft components. Business Aircraft Consumables stocks a selection of AeroShell greases covering general-purpose airframe lubrication, wheel bearings, high-load mechanisms and helicopter applications.

Choosing the correct aircraft grease depends on the component, aircraft maintenance manual, specified military or industry specification, operating temperature, load, speed, water exposure and compatibility requirements. Always verify the approved lubricant against the applicable aircraft or component maintenance documentation before application.

AeroShell Grease 5 is a mineral-oil, Microgel-thickened aviation grease intended for wheel bearings and high-speed aircraft accessories. It is particularly suited to applications such as magnetos, generators and starters where a grease capable of handling speed and bearing loads is required.

AeroShell Grease 5 is a good choice when the maintenance documentation calls for this specific grease or an applicable equivalent. Shell identifies it as a high-temperature, clay-thickened grease with load-bearing and oxidation-resistance characteristics.

AeroShell Grease 6 is a general-purpose mineral-oil aircraft grease designed primarily for airframe lubrication. Its Microgel thickener provides good working stability and low-temperature performance.

For MRO facilities, AeroShell Grease 6 is best viewed as a general-purpose airframe grease rather than a universal substitute for every aircraft grease specification. Verify the aircraft or component requirement before use.

AeroShell Grease 7 is a synthetic ester, Microgel-thickened multipurpose aircraft grease developed for applications involving high loads and demanding temperature conditions. It is particularly associated with highly loaded gears and actuator screw mechanisms.

The wide temperature capability makes Grease 7 useful in applications where conventional general-purpose greases may not provide the required low-temperature performance. Shell specifically recommends it for highly loaded actuator screw mechanisms.

AeroShell Grease 14 is a specialized helicopter grease. Its primary applications include helicopter main- and tail-rotor bearings and splines, where anti-fret and corrosion protection are important considerations.

For helicopter maintenance organizations, Grease 14 is particularly relevant where anti-fretting performance is specified. Shell identifies it as a multipurpose helicopter grease and specifically highlights rotor bearings, splines and applications requiring anti-fret and anti-corrosion properties.

AeroShell Grease 22 is a versatile synthetic-hydrocarbon aviation grease with a particularly broad operating-temperature range. It is one of the most broadly applicable greases in the AeroShell lineup and is commonly specified for wheel bearings, engine accessories and airframe lubrication.

Grease 22 is especially useful where high bearing loads, high speeds, wide temperature variation, long grease retention and resistance to water washout are important. Shell lists applications ranging from aircraft wheel bearings and engine accessories to actuators, landing gear, instruments and airframe lubrication.

Important compatibility note: AeroShell Grease 22 contains synthetic hydrocarbon oil and should not be used with incompatible seal materials.

AeroShell Grease 33 is a synthetic-base, lithium-complex airframe grease designed for a broad range of aircraft lubrication requirements. It is particularly important for MRO facilities because it is approved for routine lubrication on aircraft from multiple major airframers where the applicable maintenance documentation specifies the appropriate grease.

Shell states that AeroShell Grease 33 can be used for routine lubrication where MIL-PRF-23827C is specified on aircraft manufactured by Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, Fokker, Gulfstream and other legacy OEMs, subject to the specific aircraft maintenance documentation.

Do not treat Grease 33 as a universal replacement. Shell specifically excludes wheel bearings, applications above 121°C and sliding applications requiring molybdenum disulfide. Those applications may call for a different grease such as AeroShell Grease 64 or another approved product.

AeroShell Grease 64 is an extreme-pressure airframe grease based on the lithium-complex technology of AeroShell Grease 33 and fortified with 5% molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂). It is intended for highly loaded applications where additional extreme-pressure and anti-fretting performance is required.

AeroShell Grease 64 is particularly useful where the load, sliding action or fretting conditions exceed what a conventional airframe grease is intended to handle. Shell describes it as sharing the technology of Grease 33 while adding the extreme-pressure characteristics of 5% molybdenum disulfide.

Grease 64 is also identified by Shell as compatible with AeroShell Grease 33, although the applicable aircraft or component maintenance documentation should always determine the approved lubricant and changeover procedure.

• Aircraft or component manual: Verify the exact grease specification or approved product before application.
• Component: Determine whether the application is a wheel bearing, landing gear component, actuator, flight-control mechanism, hinge, spline, gearbox, rotor bearing or another component.
• Temperature: Check both the minimum and maximum service temperatures.
• Load and speed: High-speed bearings and highly loaded sliding mechanisms can have very different grease requirements.
• Water and environmental exposure: Wheel wells, landing gear and exposed airframe components may require strong water-washout and corrosion resistance.
• Fretting: Rotor bearings, splines and sliding interfaces may require a grease with specific anti-fret or extreme-pressure properties.
• Material compatibility: Verify compatibility with seals, elastomers, plastics, paints and other materials before changing grease types.
• Grease compatibility: Do not assume two greases are interchangeable simply because they have similar specifications or applications. Follow the aircraft/component manufacturer's approved procedure for grease changes.