In humid environments, the water solubility of soda-based greases could lead to maintenance challenges as the grease would dissolve away, reducing its effectiveness as a lubricant . This could increase the frequency of maintenance requirements and lead to potential machinery downtime due to inadequate lubrication, resulting in higher operational costs and increased risk of mechanical failure . Consequently, this property limits the use of soda-based grease in applications subject to high moisture exposure and suggests the need to consider alternatives like lithium or calcium-based options for reliable performance in such conditions .

Sodium-based greases are limited in water-exposed applications due to their solubility in water, which compromises their effectiveness as a lubricant when exposed to moisture . This characteristic makes them unsuited for environments where water contamination might occur, such as open gears in humid conditions, unlike calcium and lithium-based greases, which are water-resistant .

Calcium-based greases are insoluble in water, making them water-resistant, with a working temperature below 80°C . In contrast, soda-based greases are soluble in water, not water-resistant, but have a higher working temperature up to 175°C .

A potential drawback of using axle grease instead of lithium-based grease is its more limited temperature range. Axle grease has a maximum working temperature of 120°C , which is lower than the lithium-based grease's range of -55 to 150°C . This limitation makes axle grease less suitable for high-temperature or highly variable temperature environments, restricting its use in applications that demand extreme temperature resilience, such as in aerospace sectors .

Lithium-based greases would be preferred over sodium-based greases in applications requiring higher water resistance and a broader temperature range. Lithium-based greases are insoluble in water and resistant, with a temperature range from -55 to 150°C, making them suitable for aircraft and space applications . Sodium-based greases are water-soluble and less suitable for such demanding environments .

The higher cost of lithium-based greases is mainly due to their superior properties and wide operational temperature range from -55 to 150°C, which is substantially larger than calcium and axle greases . Lithium greases are also highly water-resistant and offer more stable performance under extreme conditions, making them indispensable in critical applications like aerospace and advanced mechanical systems . These demanding applications justify the cost due to the grease's ability to maintain efficacy and safety in environments where failure could have disastrous consequences, providing a more dependable solution despite the additional expense .

Axle grease, with its composition of lime, resin, fatty oils, and fillers, is not suitable for aircraft landing gear systems . Its working temperature ceiling of 120°C is inadequate for the high-stress, variable-temperature conditions experienced by landing gear . Furthermore, while axle grease is water-resistant, its limited performance range and lower grade materials compared to aviation standards diminish its suitability. Aircraft systems typically require higher-endurance greases like lithium-based types for reliable operation in extreme and safety-critical environments , where failure is not an option. This evaluation underscores the demanding specifications aircraft landing gear systems necessitate that axle grease cannot meet.

Axle grease is considerably cheaper than lithium-based grease, which is the most costly type . The choice between the two for machinery maintenance depends on the application's specific needs, such as load and temperature requirements. Axle grease, with its lower cost, might be optimal for high load and low-speed equipment like road rollers and JCBs where cost-saving on basic supplies is beneficial . However, for high-tech applications such as aircraft or space applications, the higher cost of lithium-based grease is justified by its superior performance under extreme temperatures and conditions .

Calcium-based greases' popularity and affordability stem from their basic composition and sufficient performance in standard applications. Being an emulsion of petroleum oils with calcium soaps, it is easier and cheaper to produce, making it the most commonly used and cost-effective option for general applications such as tractors and water pumps where extreme conditions are not a concern . Furthermore, its water resistance adds to its versatility in various common and accessible uses .

Calcium-based grease is composed of petroleum oils emulsified with calcium soaps, making it insoluble in water and suitable for applications below 80°C, such as tractors and water pumps . Axle grease, however, consists of lime (or heavy metal hydroxide), resin, and fatty oils with added fillers like talc and mica, also insoluble in water, with a 120°C temperature limit . Its application is more suited to high load and low-speed equipment like road rollers and JCBs , highlighting its utility in heavy, load-intensive environments as opposed to the broader common uses of calcium-based grease. This difference positions axle grease as optimal for more specialized, heavy-duty contexts compared to the commonly used and versatile calcium-based grease.