Abstract: With excellent high temperature stability, oxidation stability, mechanical stability, radiation resistance and long useful life, amide grease was used for lubrication in the fields of aviation, aerospace, nuclear power, and so on. The research progress of amide grease in the world was reviewed, and the influence of the structure of amide thickener on its thickening ability and grease performance was discussed. The synthesis methods of amide thickeners were summarized and compared, including amination of acyl chloride, amination of ester and amination of carboxylic acids. Several efficient and promising amide synthesis methods were introduced for improving the shortcomings of the latter two methods. In general, the method for preparing amide soap-based thickener by the amination of carboxylic acids have the advantages of high availability of raw materials, low cost, simple process and superior product comprehensive performance. It is a competitive synthetic method. Finally, the future development tendency of amide grease is prospected.

Key words: grease, amide, thickener, synthesis, developing trend