Lubricants

Lubricant is a substance that reduces friction and wear between mutually contacted surfaces, which ultimately reduces the heat generated when the surfaces move. A lubricant can be in solid, liquid, and gas, or even semisolid (grease) forms.

The liquid lubricants can be classified based on the base oil from synthetic/semi-synthetic, mineral, or environmentally acceptable (biodegradable) oils. Each of these engine oils has a different composition: the base is either refined crude petroleum or polymers manufactured in the laboratory.

Types of Lubricants:

Lubricants can be classified by their state into the following groups:

• Solid lubricants: all lubricants in solid form, including powders, coatings, and composites (graphite, polytetrafluoroethylene, Boron Nitride, Molybdenum disulfide, etc.)
• Liquid lubricants: all liquid lubricants, including mineral, natural, synthetic oils, emulsions, vegetable oil, water, etc.
• Gaseous lubricants: typically its air, but can be any other gas (nitrogen, helium).
• Semisolid lubricants: greases, generally consists of a soap emulsified with mineral or vegetable oil.

Lubricants are generally composed of a majority of base oil plus a variety of additives to impart desirable characteristics. Although generally lubricants are based on one type of base oil, mixtures of the base oils also are used to meet performance requirements.

Mineral Oils: Derived from crude oil

Mineral oils are refined petroleum-based hydrocarbons obtained from crude oil by distillation. Mineral oils are combinations of paraffin, naphthenic, and aromatic oils. A wide variety of mineral oil compositions are employed in cutting and grinding fluids. The lubrication properties are modified for particular applications using additives. A wide range of additives is employed for different purposes. Extreme-pressure additives are added to improve the lubrication properties.

The American Petroleum Institute (API) designates several types of lubricant base oil:

Group I / Group II / Group III / Group IV / Group V

Synthetic Oils: produced using synthetic hydrocarbons

Synthetic oils may be derived from hydrocarbons or from other chemicals. Synthetic oils tend to be considerably more expensive than mineral oils. These oils tend to be purer and are produced for particular properties such as high-temperature stability and generally have a higher viscosity and better oxidation stability than mineral base oils, resulting in a better and longer-lasting performance. Synthetic oils may be hydrocarbons. Types of synthetic oil may include organic esters, silicones, and halogenate organic compounds.

Given its composition, so-called synthetic engine oil is considered a high-end oil that is purer and delivers higher performance than mineral oil

Types of lubricant base oil:

Group IV: PAO / Group V: Other Synthetics / Polyalkylene Glycol (PAG) Synthetic Oil / / Alkylated naphthalene / Phosphate esters

Semi-synthetic oil: blend of synthetic oil and mineral oil

The proportions of synthetic oil and mineral oil in the mixture are not equal: semi-synthetic oil contains at the most 30% synthetic oil. It is interesting to know that oil with as little as 1 % of synthetic oil is also called “semi-synthetic oil”. 

CHOOSE THE RIGHT ENGINE OIL TO ENSURE OPTIMUM EFFICIENCY 

Not all engine oils are the same. It is important to choose an oil that is suited to your vehicle and local climate conditions to enjoy all its benefits. In addition to the types of oil, there are various parameters such as viscosity, which is expressed in two grades that are marked on the oil container (for example “5w40”): the grade when cold, and the grade when hot. These grades indicate oil fluidity according to temperature (high or low). Depending on engine design, the oil should be more or less fluid or more or less viscous. To choose the right oil, see your vehicle owner’s handbook or get advice from a professional

ROLE AND BENEFITS OF ENGINE OIL / MOTOR OIL.

Engine oil plays many roles for an engine to run properly over time. Here are the most important ones:

Lubrication: The main role of engine oil is to lubricate the engine parts, which are in constant friction. It thus reduces friction which tends to increase wear & tear of engine parts.

Cooling: The energy is lost through combustion and the friction between mechanical parts causes the engine temperature to rise. Part lubrication provided by the engine oil helps to release the heat through the lubrication circuit. It supplements the coolant, which only cools certain parts of the engine.

Cleaning: While less known, the cleaning power of engine oil is fundamental. Microscopic deposits build up in the engine and remain in suspension. They can consist of dust or combustion residue. Without engine oil, the residue would clog the engine and decrease its performance. The flow of engine oil continuously carries these impurities to the oil filter, where they are trapped.

Protection against corrosion: Fuel combustion generates corrosive acid that can damage metal parts in the engine. With the additives added to modern engine oils, corrosion is slowed down. Nonetheless, over time, and in contact with oxygen, engine oil may oxidize and no longer play its corrosion inhibiting role. That is why engine oil must be changed regularly.

Sealing: Engine oil also enhances engine sealing, and more specifically the sealing of pistons and cylinders. A protective layer is deposited between the various parts, sealing any clearances that may arise.

Good to know: For engine oil to truly serve all its purposes, the level of oil must be checked regularly in order to change the oil at the right time. Overused oil no longer plays its role, which is detrimental to the general condition of the engine and its parts.