Overview of Lubricant Technology
Dr. Gamini Amarasekera, BSc (Hons), C. Chem. (Aus), PhD (Aus)
Consultant , Laugfs Lubricants Limited
(1) Lubricants - Introduction
(2) Base oil - the main ingredient & Its
impact on the quality of finished lubricant
(3) Engine oil trends and main drivers of its
quality
(4) Base oil trends
50 KMT
Sri Lanka current market size - ~ 58 KMT
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Definition
Friction - reducing substance
A substance, typically oil or grease, applied to
a surface to reduce friction between moving
parts
Made of two basic components
+
Base Oil
Chemical Additives
Base Oil
Antioxidant
Antiwear
DI Package
8 -12% wt.
Friction
Modifier
Dispersant
Others*
VI Improver
Base oil is the foundation of a lubricant
The quality of Base oil determines quality of the finished lubricant
Mineral base oils are extracted from petroleum crude
Complex mixture of many hydrocarbons
There are different grades of base oils classified according to their
quality
LPG
Petrol
Kerosene
Diesel
Base oils
Furnace oil
Bitumen
Strong
Stable
Inert
Virgin Base oils are preferred for good quality
lubricants
G010067
Group
Sulfur, Wt %
Saturates
V.I.
>0.03
and/or
<90
80-119
II
0.03
and
90
80-119
III
0.03
and
90
120
IV
All Polyalphaolefins (PAOs)
All Stocks Not Included in Groups I-IV
(Pale Oils and Non-PAO Synthetics)
All Commercial Paraffinic Base Oils have VI > 95
In recent years these categories have been informally
subdivided into Group I+, Group II+ and Group III+
Oxidation stability Long drain intervals
Thermal stability Long drain intervals
Less volatility Lesser emission
HSHT Stability Shear stability
Better control of viscosity over wide
temperature range, i.e. High VI Lesser
wear & tear/fuel economy
Lesser oxidative material Long drain
intervals
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Additives provide different properties to
lubricants
Detergents Cleaning
Dispersants Keep dirt in suspension
Antioxidants Delay aging/oxidation
Anti wear Reduce wear & tear
VI improvers To maintain visco-metrics across wide
temperature range
Pour point depressants Improve low temperature flow
Anti-foam Prevent foaming
Friction modifiers Reduce friction/Improve fuel economy
EP chemicals Prevent metal to metal contact
Tackiness additives Improve tackiness
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High
quality
base oil
Its Not Just Oil
It is properly balanced
complex mixture of active
chemicals
All compete for same surface area
Antioxidants
Viscosity
Index
Improvers
Dispersants
Detergents
Pour Point
Depressants
Rust and
Corrosion
Inhibitor
Foam
Inhibitors
Finished
product
Friction
Modifiers
Antiwear
Agents
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Petrol
Diesel
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Engine oil represent ~ 70 % of total
lubricant market in Sri Lanka
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There are two main classifications
(1) Performance (2) Viscosity (flow property)
Performance Classifications
In order to protect engines, engine oils should meet some
performance standards.
Commonly used classification is API (American Petroleum
Institute)
Other classifications are : ILSAC, ACEA , JASO
Viscosity Classification
SAE Numbers Society of Automotive Engineers
SN
2010
SM
SL
Sri Lanka Min
Standard
SJ
SH
SG
SF
SE
SD
SC
1964
1968
1972
2000
1996
1994
1989
1980
API S Engine Service
Classifications
2004
Sri Lanka Min
Standard
CF
CA CD
CE
CF-4 CG-4
CD-II
CH-4 CI-4 CI-4 +
CJ-4
CF-2
API C Diesel Engine Classifications
How can a buyer check this?
SAE
Viscosity
Grade
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES for ENGINE OILS - (SAE J300)
Low-Temp
Low-Temp Pumping
Cranking Viscosity, max
Viscosity, Kinematic
Viscosity (no yield stress)
max, cP @ C
High-Temp
High-Temp/High-Shear
Viscosity at
cSt @ 100C
150C & 106s-1
cP @ C
min
max
0W
6200 at -35
60 000 at -40
3.8
5W
6600 at -30
60 000 at -35
3.8
10W
7000 at -25
60 000 at -30
4.1
15W
7000 at -20
60 000 at -25
5.6
20W
9500 at -15
60 000 at -20
5.6
25W
13000 at -10
60 000 at -15
9.3
20
5.6
< 9.3
2.6
30
9.3
< 12.5
2.9
40
12.5
< 16.3
50
16.3
< 21.9
3.7
60
21.9
< 26.1
3.7
2.9 (1)
3.7 (2)
min, cP
(1) SAE 0W, 5W and 10W multigrades
(2) SAE 15W, 20W, 25W multigrades and 40 grade
Multi grade oils e.g. 15W-40
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It is important to understand the increasing demand for engine oil quality
with these new design changes.
Use of wrong lubricant will lead to severe engine failures
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Oronite 2010
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Oronite 2010
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All modern engines require multi grade technology
Engine oil technology is moving towards lower viscosity
grades.
All high performance engine oils require base oils of API Gr 2
or above
If correct engine oil is not used in modern engines there can
be severe premature engine failures.
It is our duty to educate all customers on the required engine
oil quality levels.
Small engines like motorcycle, out board motor, etc. also
require modern additive chemistry and high quality base oils
(Gr 2 or above)
Always use virgin base oils to maintain required quality.
It is our responsibility to take this industry to higher levels in
parallel with new advancements in engine technology
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