Grease cartridges are a type of cardboard tube that serve as components in grease guns. Similarly to caulking tubes, grease cartridges are used to provide lubrication to moving parts in machinery. Grease guns are either hand triggered, pneumatic or battery powered, all of which use cartridges filled with grease. They are made out of metal, plastic, or most commonly, cardboard material.
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Cardboard cartridges are disposable and cannot be refilled, but are the least expensive option and are adequate for greasing purposes. Grease is used to lubricate any moving part in an engine or machine that requires constant maintenance. Lubrication reduces friction and heat and decreases wear and tear, thus improving operations and extending the lifespan of the moving parts. The automotive, aerospace, manufacturing and military industries use grease guns and cartridges to maintain their machinery. The grease is often applied to bearings, as well as combustion engines, processing equipment, compressors, piston pumps, gears, house tools and final drives. The grease can be processed as sanitary, and can therefore be used in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries to lubricate industrial machinery. The grease is a thick natural or synthetic gel, usually clear in color, which is silicon, calcium or sodium based.
Like many paper tubes, grease cartridges are made with fine wood pulp fibers that are formed into thick, rigid and strong paper material. The cardboard is cut into ribbons and wrapped at an angle around a mandrel. Most cartridges have multiple layers and are reinforced with an adhesive. To ensure they are water and air tight, cartridges are coated with a protective sealant. The exterior is often wrapped in printed foil. They are equipped with a plastic nozzle on one end and a removable plastic cap on the other. Loading a grease cartridge into a gun is a simple process. First, the gun's bottom cap and plunger are removed, and the empty cartridge is taken out. The plastic cap is removed from the new cartridge, and it is slid into the gun with the opened end first. The gun's cap and plunger are put back and tightened. The plunger is then able to insert itself into the grease cartridge, pushing the grease out of the nozzle in the front. The plunger should have a diameter slightly smaller than that of the cartridge, and scrape the interior sides so a maximum amount of grease is used. Grease cartridges should always be stored horizontally in a cool, dry place to prevent the oils in the grease from leaking.
