🔍 Key Concepts

• Saponification and what it means in lubrication/grease manufacture • Role of a metallic soap (metal base) as the thickener in grease • Difference between oil (liquid lubricant) and grease (oil + thickener)

💭 Think About

• Which option best describes first creating a soap-like thickener, then combining it with oil under controlled conditions? • Look for the choice that matches the general industrial process for making lubricating grease, not special or unusual lab methods. • Which options mention specific metals or temperatures that sound overly narrow or specialized rather than the general principle?

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify which answer describes saponifying a metal base (making a soap) then adding oil as a second step. • Check that the process is general for many types of greases, not tied only to one special metal (like only aluminum or only barium). • Confirm that the description focuses on forming a gel/soap thickener plus oil, rather than just cooling oil or tallow to make it thick.