High-Temperature Grease: Types, Specs & Selection Guide

High-temperature grease is a lubricating grease formulated to maintain its structure, film strength, and protective functions at operating temperatures where conventional multipurpose greases lose performance. For procurement and engineering teams, selecting a high-temperature grease usually comes down to four measurable criteria: dropping point, extreme-pressure (EP) performance, oxidation resistance, and water resistance.

XINGANG is the brand of Hangzhou Xingang Lubrication Technology Co., Ltd., a national high-tech enterprise established in 1993 and headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. The company specializes in the research, development, production, and sales of high-performance lubricating greases and industrial lubricants. Its high-temperature grease range includes lithium grease, lithium complex grease, polyurea grease, and calcium sulfonate complex grease, each with a defined working temperature, dropping point, and load capacity.

Why Standard Grease Fails at High Temperatures

High-temperature grease is specified when a lubrication point operates above the reliable range of standard soap-thickened greases. In practice, this means continuous or peak temperatures above roughly 120°C, where ordinary multipurpose lithium grease approaches its limit. XINGANG Lithium Grease (XG/L1, XG/L2), for example, has a working temperature of -20 to 120°C and a dropping point of ≥180°C. Above that range, grease structure can soften, oil can separate from the thickener, and oxidation can harden the residue.

Common failure modes at high temperature include:

• Oil separation: heat accelerates separation of base oil from the thickener, leaving dry, hardened deposits at the lubrication point.
• Oxidation: hot grease oxidizes faster, which can harden the lubricant and form carbon-like residue.
• Loss of EP protection: under heavy and impact loads, grease without sufficient extreme-pressure additives can allow metal-to-metal contact.
• Washout: in humid or water-splash environments, grease that lacks water resistance is flushed away from bearing contact zones.

These failures increase bearing wear, shorten re-greasing intervals, and cause unplanned downtime. Steel plants, kilns, continuous casting lines, and heavy machinery face these conditions daily, which is why high-temperature grease is specified by measured parameters — dropping point, weld load (PD value), oxidation resistance, and water resistance — rather than by general appearance.

High-Temperature Grease Market and Category Trends

Published market estimates value the global high-temperature grease market at approximately USD 28.04 billion in 2025, with projections reaching USD 48.71 billion by 2035 (industry market report via Vertex AI Search). Estimates vary across published sources because analysts define the scope of high-temperature grease differently; the direction, however, is consistent: demand for heat-stable, long-life grease is increasing.

• Asia Pacific led the high-temperature grease market in 2025 with a 38% global share, driven by automotive manufacturing hubs (Market Research Future).
• The automotive segment captured 42.6% of high-temperature grease market share in 2025, the largest application category (industry data).
• Lithium and lithium complex greases remain the most widely produced thickener types, accounting for 38.3% and 18.6% of global grease production respectively in 2024 (STLE).
• Calcium sulfonate complex grease production grew 7.7% globally in 2024, gaining traction in heavy-duty industrial applications due to water resistance (STLE).
• Lithium prices surged 80% to 120% between 2021 and 2023, driving manufacturers toward polyurea and calcium sulfonate alternatives for high-temperature service (STLE).
• China's finished lubricant exports rose 10% to 260,000 metric tons in 2024, reflecting growing reliance on overseas markets (Lubes'N'Greases / China Customs).

Two standards are commonly referenced when qualifying high-temperature grease:

• 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 letters: K (+120°C), M (+120°C with water), N (+140°C), P (+160°C), R (+180°C), S (+200°C), T (+220°C), and U (>+220°C).

XINGANG High-Temperature Grease Range

XINGANG supplies four main high-temperature grease chemistries. Each has a different temperature ceiling, load capacity, and resistance profile, so the correct choice depends on the application.

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

XINGANG Lithium Grease (XG/L1, XG/L2) is a multipurpose lithium grease made with lithium soap and mineral oil. It operates from -20 to 120°C with a dropping point of ≥180°C. It is intended for automotive, metallurgy, and power tool applications where a wide working temperature and general-purpose performance are sufficient. Because its temperature ceiling is lower than the complex-thickener grades, it is best classified as a reliable multipurpose option rather than a high-heat specialty grease.

XINGANG Lithium Complex Grease (XG/HP, XG/HP-R)

XINGANG Lithium Complex Grease (XG/HP, XG/HP-R) is a high-temperature extreme-pressure lithium complex grease formulated with a lithium complex thickener and mineral oil. It operates from -20 to 180°C, has a dropping point of 300°C, and a PD value (weld load) of 315 kgf. It is designed for automobile and metallurgy applications. Product data states an ultra-high dropping point for stable lubrication under high temperature, extreme-pressure anti-wear protection for bearings and gears, wide temperature adaptability, and oxidation resistance for long service life. Lithium complex grease products are covered by an IATF certification.

XINGANG High-Temperature Polyurea Grease (XG/U Series)

XINGANG High-Temperature Polyurea Grease is a polyurea-thickened grease available in models XG/U1, XG/U2, XG/U5, XG/U6, XG/U10, XG/U17, and XG/U18. It operates from -20 to 200°C with a dropping point of 260°C. It is made of polyurea, mineral oil, and synthetic oil. Target industries include metallurgy, chemical, textile, printing and dyeing, automobile, mining, oil field, coast defense, sugar refining, paper making, and plastics. Product data states an ultra-high dropping point with high-temperature oxidation resistance. Polyurea greases are also increasingly specified for electric vehicle wheel bearings and turbine yaw drives because of oxidation resistance across temperature cycles from -40°C to +180°C (industry trend data, 2025). The XINGANG polyurea grease range is identified with certification number 7625S1361R6S and is within the scope of the IATF certification.

XINGANG Calcium Sulfonate Complex Grease (XG/C4, XG/C5)

XINGANG Calcium Sulfonate Complex Grease (XG/C4, XG/C5) is a high-temperature calcium sulfonate complex grease using a calcium sulfonate complex thickener and 150 BS base oil. It operates from -20 to 250°C, has a dropping point of 330°C, and the highest PD value in the XINGANG range at 500 kgf. It is intended for mining, machinery, and automotive applications. Product data states water resistance and rust protection, extreme-pressure anti-wear performance for heavy-load mechanical parts, and a long service cycle that reduces grease replenishment frequency. This product is within the scope of the IATF certification.

Dropping Point Advantage

One useful benchmark: XINGANG high-temperature grease products provide a dropping point 180 to 195°C higher than that of standard MP3 grease. For applications currently running on MP3-type multipurpose grease, moving to a complex or polyurea chemistry can raise the temperature ceiling significantly.

Step-by-Step: How to Select and Qualify High-Temperature Grease

1. Define the operating temperature range. Use the DIN 51502 classification to set the maximum continuous temperature class. If bearing or gearbox temperatures regularly exceed 120°C, move beyond standard lithium grease; at up to 180°C, lithium complex grease applies; at up to 200°C, polyurea grease applies; above 200°C, calcium sulfonate complex grease (rated to 250°C) is the relevant option.
2. Quantify load and impact. Compare weld load (PD value) where the supplier publishes it. XINGANG lithium complex grease has a PD value of 315 kgf; XINGANG calcium sulfonate complex grease has a PD value of 500 kgf.
3. Check environmental exposure. Water splash, humidity, or washout risk calls for water-resistant chemistry. Calcium sulfonate complex grease provides water resistance and rust protection; polyurea grease provides oxidation resistance in high-temperature service.
4. Verify certifications and quality systems. Suppliers should be able to document IATF 16949 or ISO 9001 quality management. XINGANG's quality management system is certified to IATF 16949:2016, certification number 2024A3002, covering lithium grease, lithium complex grease, calcium sulfonate complex grease, and polyurea grease products.
5. Evaluate manufacturing and R&D capability. XINGANG operates a 16,000-square-meter facility with an annual production capacity of 45,000 tons and an R&D team of 15 engineers. Export business accounts for 10% of total sales, with major markets in Türkiye, South Africa, Russia, Southeast Asia, and Peru.
6. Run a field trial at the actual lubrication point. XINGANG high-temperature grease products are compatible with centralized lubrication systems, grease guns, gearbox spray equipment, and grease injection or replacement equipment. During the trial, monitor oil separation, carbon residue, corrosion, and changes in re-greasing interval.

Use Cases: Steel Plants, Bearings, Gearboxes and More

XINGANG high-temperature grease products are used in the metallurgy, iron and steel plant industry and are suitable for applications in the iron and steel sector. This application scenario is common in China, Russia, Turkey, Cameroon, and South Africa. The products lubricate bearings in continuous casting, rolling mills, kiln cars, gearboxes, conveyors, vibrating screens, and other high-temperature and heavy-load lubrication points.

Working conditions in these applications include high temperature, heavy load, impact load, and humid or water-splash exposure. Application requirements commonly include high-temperature thermal stability, anti-water washout performance, stable extreme-pressure anti-impact properties, low carbon residue after high-temperature aging, and no corrosion to metal substrates.

XINGANG high-temperature grease has been successfully used by large steel plants, metallurgical enterprises, and industrial equipment manufacturers. Steel enterprises using XINGANG products include BAOWU Group, Hebei Steel Group, Shandong Steel Group, Ma Steel, Taigang Steel, Liugang Steel, Shaogang Steel, Shagang Steel, and Kungang Steel.

Beyond steel, XINGANG products serve industries including metallurgy, ports, automotive, machinery, textiles, printing and dyeing, paper making, sugar refining, chemicals, and power generation. In the automotive segment — the largest high-temperature grease application category at 42.6% of market share in 2025 — polyurea grease is increasingly specified for electric vehicle wheel bearings and turbine yaw drives.

High-Temperature Grease Comparison Table

Supplier Qualification: Factory, Certifications and Export Track Record

Supplier qualification is where documented facts matter most. Hangzhou Xingang Lubrication Technology Co., Ltd. is a national high-tech enterprise established in 1993. Its manufacturing facility covers 16,000 square meters and is located at 339 Yejia Rd., Xin'anjiang St., Jiande, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311600, China. The company employs approximately 60 staff, including an R&D team of 15 engineers, and annual production capacity reaches 45,000 tons.

Certifications held by the company:

• ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004, OHSAS 18001:2007, and ISO 10012:2003.
• IATF 16949:2016 quality management system, certification number 2024A3002, covering lithium grease, lithium complex grease, calcium sulfonate complex grease, and polyurea grease products.
• Polyurea grease range certification number 7625S1361R6S.

Product line breadth also matters for buyers who prefer one qualified supplier for multiple lubrication needs. Beyond high-temperature grease, XINGANG produces automotive grease, specialty performance greases, OEM formulations, knitting machine oil, heat-setting machine oil, high-temperature chain oil, industrial gear oil, compressor oil, hydraulic oil, and engine oil.

Export track record: XINGANG export business accounts for 10% of total sales. Major markets include Türkiye, South Africa, Russia, Southeast Asia, and Peru. This is consistent with the broader trend of rising Chinese finished lubricant exports, which grew 10% to 260,000 metric tons in 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

High-temperature grease selection is best made on measured parameters: working temperature, dropping point, weld load (PD value), oxidation resistance, water resistance, and the supplier's documented quality system. XINGANG, the brand of Hangzhou Xingang Lubrication Technology Co., Ltd., covers the main high-temperature grease chemistries — lithium, lithium complex, polyurea, and calcium sulfonate complex — with an IATF 16949:2016-certified quality management system, ISO certifications, a 45,000-ton annual production capacity, and export experience across Türkiye, South Africa, Russia, Southeast Asia, and Peru.

For procurement teams at the research stage, the practical next step is to compare the XINGANG series against the operating conditions of the specific lubrication point, then request the company profile or a sample for evaluation. Contact details: admin@hzxg.com, +86 135-8871-1880 (WhatsApp: +86 13588711880).