The purpose of this paper is to conduct a technology comparison between simple lithium and anhydrous calcium thickeners. Anhydrous calcium thickener has been available for almost as long as lithium greases, yet it has never captured a significant market share.
This study aims to increase our understanding of the performance of the base systems without the influence of additive components that affect the final properties of a fully formulated grease.
The outcome will highlight the differences and provide a deeper understanding of what can be expected as a baseline for lithium and anhydrous calcium grease.
Ultimately, we hope to answer the question of whether there is a valid reason for the historical dominance of lithium over anhydrous calcium thickeners.