SKF LGWA 2 High Load Wide Temperature EP Bearing Grease

When general purpose grease runs out of margin

SKF LGWA 2 is a premium mineral oil based, lithium complex grease with extreme pressure (EP) performance. SKF recommends it for general industrial applications when loads or temperatures exceed the range of general purpose greases. It gives excellent lubrication at peak temperatures up to 220 C for short periods, protects wheel bearings under severe conditions, lubricates effectively in wet conditions, resists water and corrosion, and copes with high loads at low speeds.

The base oil is thicker than in LGMT greases (250 mm2/s at 40 C), and EP additives resist metal contact under shock or sliding. The leaflet names washing machines, fans and electric motors as typical applications, and the grease is also supplied in the refills for several SKF automatic lubricators, which is where many plants meet it.

Technical specifications

Packs, cartridges and lubricator refills

Loose grease comes as LGWA 2/0.2 (200 g tube), LGWA 2/0.4 (420 ml cartridge), LGWA 2/1, LGWA 2/5, LGWA 2/18, LGWA 2/50 and LGWA 2/180. SKF also lists LGWA 2 in the TLSD 125 and 250 ml units and refills (LGWA 2/SD125, LGWA 2/SD250), in LAGD gas driven units of 60 and 125 ml, and in 120 and 380 ml refills for the TLMR 101 and 201 series. See our SKF TLSD lubricator listing for the electro-mechanical hardware.

Choosing LGWA 2 and what to confirm

The 4-ball welding load of 2 600 N minimum and the wear scar limit are the EP figures to compare with other greases. A higher EP rating alone does not make a grease the right one for a high-speed bearing, so check speed factor and temperature as well. Confirm bearing type, speed, operating temperature, whether water is present and the pack designation. Values are typical, not guaranteed. Related products are grouped under Electric Motors.

Because EP additives and a thicker base oil are not needed on every bearing, do not treat LGWA 2 as a universal upgrade. Light-duty, high-speed ball bearings are normally better served by a grease with a lighter base oil, while the load, temperature or wet conditions listed above justify this grade. SKF also provides LubeSelect (skf.com/lubeselect) for grease selection and relubrication calculation for a specific bearing.

Key properties in practical terms

• Lithium complex thickener: gives a high dropping point (above 250 °C), so the grease keeps its structure at temperatures where simple lithium soaps begin to soften.
• Base oil of 250 mm²/s at 40 °C: a thicker oil film than general-purpose greases, which helps separate rolling elements under heavy load and at low speed.
• EP additives: a 4-ball welding load of at least 2,600 N and a wear scar of no more than 1.8 mm indicate protection against shock loads and sliding contact.
• Water and corrosion resistance: Emcor 0-0 and a water resistance rating of 1 max. show the grease holds up when bearings are washed or exposed to condensation.
• NLGI 2 consistency: the standard grade for most rolling bearings, pumpable through common grease guns and centralised systems.

Relubrication and handling advice

Even a high-performance grease only works if the right amount reaches the bearing at the right interval. Over-greasing raises the operating temperature through churning and can push grease past seals, while under-greasing leads to wear. SKF publishes relubrication interval methods based on bearing type, speed, size and temperature, and these should be used rather than fixed calendar intervals.

• Clean grease nipples before applying the gun to avoid pushing sand and dust into the bearing.
• Do not mix greases with different thickeners without checking compatibility; when changing to LGWA 2, purge the old grease where the design allows.
• Store containers closed, upright and out of direct sun, and use stock on a first-in first-out basis within the stated shelf life.
• Use dedicated, labelled guns or cartridges per grease type to prevent cross-contamination.

Where LGWA 2 is used in Oman and the GCC

Heavily loaded or hot-running bearings are common in industries across the region: vibrating screens and conveyor pulleys in quarries and cement plants, fans and blowers in HVAC and process plants, electric motors and pumps in water utilities, and wheel bearings on trucks and site vehicles. In these applications high ambient temperatures add to the bearing’s own heat, so a grease with a wide temperature range and good oxidation stability provides extra margin.

Coastal plants and desalination facilities face humid, salty air, where the corrosion and water-washout results of LGWA 2 are relevant. On remote equipment that is difficult to reach, the grease is often fitted through SKF single-point automatic lubricators, which deliver small, regular quantities instead of occasional large shots.

LGWA 2 compared with a general-purpose grease

What to include in an RFQ

• Pack size required (tube, cartridge, can, pail or drum) and quantity.
• If automatic lubricators are used, the lubricator model and size so the correct refill can be matched.
• The application, operating temperature and speed, if a suitability check is wanted.
• Delivery location and whether safety data sheets or product data sheets are required with the shipment.

Documents and quotation

The SKF leaflet is attached here. For a quotation send the complete designation with pack size, for example LGWA 2/18, the quantity and the delivery location.