Ceramic-Enhanced Multi-Purpose Grease — STM-3® SiC Technology

Honest framing: 750°F is the peak temperature where the SiC ceramic layer remains stable — Silicon Carbide itself has a melting point of 2,730°C, so the ceramic component is far from its thermal limit at 750°F. The lithium-complex grease carrier itself has typical thermal characteristics: dropping point typically in the 450–550°F range, useful working temperature for sustained service typically up to 350°F continuous, and short-duration excursions tolerated higher. What this means in practice: for routine automotive, fleet, agricultural, construction, and industrial applications operating at typical bearing temperatures (most bearings run at ambient + 50–150°F under normal load), Cerma Multi-Purpose grease provides full protection with both the grease film and the ceramic layer. For applications that periodically spike to high temperatures (downhill descent on heavy trucks heating wheel bearings, hot-day operation of machinery), the SiC ceramic layer continues providing wear protection at the metal interface even when the grease film is challenged by heat. For sustained operation at extreme temperatures (continuous 350°F+ bearing temps in industrial heat-treat operations, certain mining equipment, specific industrial dryer bearings), use Cerma Hi-Temperature Lithium Grease instead — it's formulated with higher-temperature base oils and a more heat-stable thickener system. The 750°F peak figure represents the upper temperature at which the SiC ceramic protection mechanism remains intact, not the temperature at which the grease itself maintains conventional grease film characteristics.

Cerma Multi-Purpose Grease is formulated to NLGI Grade 2 consistency — the most common general-purpose grease grade. NLGI grades range from 000 (very fluid, like heavy oil) through 6 (block grease, very stiff). NLGI 2 is the standard "grease gun grease" consistency for the vast majority of automotive, fleet, agricultural, and industrial applications. Why grade matters: grease consistency affects how the grease behaves in dispensing equipment, in bearing operation, and during cold-weather start-up. NLGI 2 works in standard grease guns, most automatic lubrication systems, and standard manual application. For specific applications requiring different grades: centralized auto-lube systems on heavy trucks often spec NLGI 1 (slightly softer for line flow); some chain and gear cases use NLGI 0 or 00 (semi-fluid); some industrial applications use NLGI 3 (stiffer, for high-RPM bearings with heavy fling). For these specialty applications, contact us at 239-344-9861 — we can advise on alternative product options or whether NLGI 2 will work for your specific equipment.

For routine relubrication, Cerma Multi-Purpose Grease is generally compatible with most other lithium-soap and lithium-complex greases — these are by far the most common general-purpose grease types. However, grease incompatibility is a real issue with several thickener types and can cause grease structure breakdown, oil separation, and accelerated bearing failure when incompatible greases are mixed. Generally incompatible thickener types to avoid mixing: calcium-soap grease (older grease in some industrial equipment, vintage automotive); polyurea grease (some sealed-for-life electric motor bearings, some industrial applications); calcium-sulfonate grease (severe-duty marine and industrial); bentonite or clay-thickened greases (some specialty high-temp applications); aluminum-complex greases (some food-grade and specialty applications). Best practice when uncertain: for critical bearings, clean the old grease before applying Cerma. For non-critical chassis fittings and routine grease points, simple over-greasing typically purges old grease and is generally safe with Cerma. If you're working with industrial equipment with unknown grease history, document what's currently in service before adding any grease — incompatibility is a leading cause of premature bearing failure on industrial equipment that has changed grease suppliers without proper transition. Call 239-344-9861 for compatibility consultation if you have a specific application concern.

Honest framing: the SiC ceramic layer at the bearing-grease interface provides wear protection that's distinct from the grease film, so the ceramic protection persists even after the grease itself has aged. However, this does not mean you can drastically extend factory grease intervals safely. Greasing schedules exist for multiple reasons beyond just maintaining a fresh oil film: purging contamination from bearings, replacing oxidized oil that has lost additive function, providing a sealing function at bearing seals, and providing routine inspection opportunity. The SiC ceramic protection is one beneficial component of the lubrication system; it doesn't replace the other functions of routine greasing. What we honestly say: Cerma may support modest extension of greasing intervals for some applications, particularly applications where bearing wear (rather than contamination ingress or oil oxidation) is the dominant failure mode. For specific equipment, follow the equipment manufacturer's scheduled maintenance intervals as the baseline; if you're considering interval extension, do so cautiously with monitoring rather than assuming Cerma allows broad interval changes across all applications. For fleet operations evaluating interval optimization, oil/grease analysis programs (sampling and laboratory analysis) provide data-driven interval optimization that's more reliable than general manufacturer claims about "extended life" greases. Cerma is compatible with standard industrial grease analysis programs — the SiC particles do not interfere with typical grease analysis parameters.

Yes — and marine is one of the strongest use cases for the corrosion-protection benefits. The lithium-complex thickener resists water washout in wet, splashing, and submerged conditions; the rust and oxidation inhibitor package combined with the SiC ceramic surface treatment helps protect against the salt-water corrosion that limits bearing life in marine equipment. Strong marine applications: boat trailer wheel bearings (where seasonal storage and water immersion stress conventional grease), deck winches and davits, anchor windlass bearings, marine railroad cradle bearings, hydraulic-steering linkage on boats, outboard motor tilt mechanisms, marina lift equipment. For maximum marine protection on critical bearings, evaluate Cerma Hi-Temperature Lithium Grease if your marine application also involves chemical exposure (cleaning solvents, marine fuel/oil contamination on engine-room equipment). For routine boat-trailer bearings, deck equipment, and general marine maintenance, Cerma Multi-Purpose is well-suited and the bulk pricing at marina-and-service-shop volumes makes it economical for boatyard operations.

Yes. Standard grease guns: the 14 oz tube is the standard cartridge size for lever-action and pistol-grip grease guns from all major manufacturers (Lincoln, Alemite, Plews, Jason, etc.). Load like any standard cartridge. NLGI 2 consistency works in all standard hand and pneumatic grease guns. Bulk dispensing: 35 lb lug, 120 lb keg, and 400 lb drum work with standard bulk grease pumps — drum-and-pump systems, follower-plate pumps, and lever-operated pumps appropriate for NLGI 2 grease consistency. Industrial centralized lubrication systems (single-line, dual-line, progressive) generally accept NLGI 2 grease without issue; verify with your specific system supplier if you're transitioning from NLGI 1 (some systems are tuned to NLGI 1). Pneumatic grease pumps with standard 50:1 ratio work well; for cold-weather operation below ~30°F ambient, expect slower delivery and consider warming the grease container before use or staging the keg in a heated area. Air-operated grease pumps for 120 lb keg and 400 lb drum are widely available from industrial suppliers (Graco, Lincoln, Alemite) — Cerma can recommend specific pump models if needed; call 239-344-9861.

Storage life depends on container condition and storage environment. Sealed 14 oz tubes: typical storage life of 24–36 months at room temperature when stored in original packaging away from direct sunlight, freezing, and extreme heat. Look for signs of oil separation at the tube ends — minor separation can be re-mixed by working the grease in the gun; significant separation indicates the grease has aged beyond useful life. Sealed bulk containers (35 lb lug, 120 lb keg, 400 lb drum): typical storage life similar to tubes when sealed and properly stored. Once opened — bulk containers degrade faster because of contamination and atmospheric exposure: 12–18 months for opened bulk containers if used and resealed properly, less if storage practices allow contamination ingress. Best practices for bulk grease storage: store indoors in stable temperature (50–80°F ideal); seal containers between use; use a dedicated dispensing pump rather than scooping (scooping introduces dirt); for 400 lb drums consider a follower-plate pump that reduces grease-air contact. For high-volume operations turning over bulk grease in 30–90 days, storage life concerns are minimal. For lower-volume operations where a 400 lb drum may take 1–2+ years to use, evaluate whether a smaller bulk size (35 lb or 120 lb) is more appropriate to your turnover rate.

Yes — bulk and volume pricing is a primary use case for the larger size containers. Bulk size economics are built into the listed pricing — the 35 lb lug, 120 lb keg, and 400 lb drum already offer significant per-pound discount versus the 14 oz tube tier (35 lb lug ~37% off, 120 lb keg ~40% off, 400 lb drum ~46% off per pound). For volume beyond single-drum orders: multi-drum orders, pallet quantities, multi-location fleet supply, or distributor wholesale arrangements, call 239-344-9861 for direct pricing quotes. We support shop accounts with appropriate documentation and payment terms for qualifying service businesses, fleet operations, agricultural cooperatives, and industrial accounts. For municipal, government, or institutional procurement requiring formal bid response or specific certifications, contact us with your procurement requirements and timeline. For distributor/wholesale relationships in regions where local Cerma representation may be appropriate, we evaluate distributor inquiries on a case-by-case basis.