Aircraft landing gear lubrication

An airplane's landing gear uses specialized grease that must survive extreme conditions from -40°C at cruising altitude to over 150°C during landing when brakes generate intense heat. This grease supports the entire weight of the aircraft—often hundreds of tons—concentrated on just a few wheels during touchdown at speeds exceeding 150 mph. Unlike car wheel bearings that are easily accessible, landing gear lubricants must last months between maintenance checks since servicing requires jacking up a massive aircraft. These high-performance greases contain exotic additives and synthetic base oils that cost over $100 per kilogram, but failure could be catastrophic for hundreds of passengers.