SKF LGEV 2 Extremely High Viscosity Bearing Grease

Grease for slow, heavily loaded bearings where microslip occurs

SKF LGEV 2 is a mineral oil based grease with a lithium-calcium soap. A high content of molybdenum disulphide and graphite, together with an extremely high viscosity base oil (1 300 mm2/s at 40 C), gives what SKF calls outstanding protection under the harshest conditions involving high loads, slow rotations and severe vibrations. It is black, because of the solid lubricants, and is not a grease for fast, light bearings.

SKF singles out large spherical roller bearings under high load and slow rotation, a condition where microslip is likely. Solid lubricants and a thick oil film keep surfaces apart when the speed is too low to build a normal film. The leaflet lists trunnion bearings on rotating drums, support and thrust rollers on rotary kilns and dryers, bucket wheel excavators, slewing ring bearings, high pressure roller mills and crushers, so it is typical cement, mining and bulk-materials grease.

Technical specifications

Pack sizes

The designations are LGEV 2/0.035 (35 g tube), LGEV 2/0.4 (420 ml cartridge), LGEV 2/5, LGEV 2/18, LGEV 2/50 and LGEV 2/180, plus 380 ml refills for the TLMR dispensers (LGEV2/MR380B with battery and LGEV 2/MR380).

Selection notes and what to confirm

An extremely viscous grease is hard to pump through long lines and may not suit every centralised system or automatic lubricator, so check pumpability with the equipment maker. The minimum operating temperature of -10 C is higher than for the general purpose lithium greases. Solid lubricants are also not appropriate for every bearing: high speed bearings and those with tight clearances are normally lubricated with other grease types. Confirm bearing type and size, speed, load, temperature and the machine builder specification. For an alternative high load, high temperature option SKF offers LGHB 2. Typical values apply. See also the products under Electric Motors.

Large, slow bearings in kilns, mills and crushers are usually relubricated on a fixed schedule by volume, and a full grease collar in the housing also helps keep dust and moisture out. SKF offers LubeSelect (skf.com/lubeselect) to calculate grease choice, frequency and quantity for a specific bearing. Record the grease type used, because mixing a solid-lubricant grease with other greases without checking can change its behaviour.

Key features of LGEV 2 in heavy, slow bearings

• Extremely viscous mineral base oil – the thick oil film is what carries the load when rotation is too slow for a conventional grease to form a separating film.
• Molybdenum disulphide and graphite – solid lubricants stay between the rolling elements and raceways during start-up, shock loading and oscillating motion, when the oil film alone can collapse.
• Lithium-calcium soap thickener – combines mechanical stability with good resistance to water, as reflected in the water washout and Emcor results in the table above.
• NLGI 2 consistency – a standard grade that stays in place in large housings and open bearing arrangements without slumping out under vibration.
• Corrosion protection – important for bearings that stand idle between campaigns and are exposed to wash-down, rain or condensation.

Why microslip matters on large spherical roller bearings

In a large spherical roller bearing running slowly under heavy load, the rollers do not always roll perfectly. Small sliding movements between rollers and raceways, often called microslip, occur when the load zone changes or when the shaft deflects. With a normal grease, these sliding contacts can break through the lubricant film and cause smearing, surface distress and early fatigue. The combination of a very high viscosity base oil and solid lubricants in LGEV 2 is aimed at exactly this failure mode, which is why SKF positions it for trunnions, kiln rollers and crusher bearings rather than general-purpose duty.

When a different grease is the better choice

LGEV 2 is a specialist product. Electric motor bearings, fans, pumps and other high-speed, lightly loaded positions are better served by a general-purpose or high-speed grease, because a very viscous oil creates churning, friction and heat at speed. Food-contact areas need a food-grade grease. Where operating temperatures exceed the upper limit given in the specification table, a high-temperature grease should be considered instead.

Applications in Oman and GCC heavy industry

Cement plants, lime kilns, mining and quarrying operations and bulk-handling terminals across Oman and the wider GCC run exactly the slow, heavily loaded machinery LGEV 2 was developed for. Kiln support rollers, thrust rollers, ball mill and dryer trunnions, and crusher and roller-mill bearings typically see high loads, dust and shock in the same machine. Fine dust from clinker, limestone and gypsum is a constant contamination risk, so a firm NLGI 2 grease that helps seal the housing and is replenished regularly works in favour of bearing life. Outdoor equipment also sees wide day–night temperature swings and occasional heavy rain, which makes the water resistance of the lithium-calcium thickener useful.

Relubrication and handling practice

• Clean the grease nipple and fitting before every relubrication so abrasive dust is not pumped into the bearing.
• Check compatibility with the grease already in service; when changing thickener type, purge the old grease as far as the arrangement allows and shorten the first relubrication interval.
• Calculate relubrication intervals and quantities from bearing size, speed and temperature using the SKF methods, rather than copying intervals from a lighter grease.
• Before connecting LGEV 2 to a single-line or progressive system, confirm with the system supplier that the pump, line diameter and line length suit such a viscous grease.
• Store containers closed, upright and out of direct sun, and use stock in rotation within the stated shelf life.
• Because of the black solid lubricants, keep separate grease guns or clearly label them to avoid mixing with other greases.

What to include in your RFQ

To make the quotation accurate, state the exact SKF designation and pack size (for example a cartridge, a 5 kg pail or a drum), the quantity of each, and whether TLMR refills are needed. Mention the equipment the grease is for, the bearing type and approximate size, and whether it will be applied manually or through a centralised system. If your site requires a product data sheet or safety data sheet with delivery, include that request so the documents can be supplied with the order.

Documents and quotation

The SKF data sheet is attached to the page. Quote the full designation with pack size, such as LGEV 2/18, plus quantity and delivery location when you request a quotation.