A grease is made up of the three following components:

• thickening agent 5% to 20%
• base oils 80% to 95%
• additives 0% to 10%

The thickening agent – be it a soap or something else – has a tremendous bearing on the grease's performance.

Greases of mineral or synthetic origin consist of a thickening agent dispersed in a liquid lubricant such as petroleum oil or a synthetic fluid The thickening agent may be soap, an inorganic gel, or an organic substance. Other additives inhibit oxidation and corrosion, prevent wear, and change viscosity. The fluid component is the more important lubricant for clearances between parts that are relatively large, but for small clearances the molecular soap layers provide the lubrication.