Overview of Lubricant Technology Dr. Gamini Amarasekera, BSc (Hons), C. Chem. (Aus), PhD (Aus) Consultant , Laugfs Lubricants Limited
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
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50 KMT
Sri Lanka current market size - ~ 58 KMT
Definition
Friction - reducing substance
A substance, typically oil or grease, applied to a surface to reduce friction between moving parts
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Base Oil Chemical Additives
Made of two basic components
DI Package
8 -12% wt.
VI Improver
Antioxidant
Antiwear
Friction
Modifier
Dispersant
Others*
Base Oil
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
G010067
Virgin Base oils are preferred for good quality lubricants
Group Sulfur, Wt % Saturates V.I.
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)
V All Stocks Not Included in Groups I-IV
(Pale Oils and Non-PAO Synthetics)
In recent years these categories have been informally subdivided into Group I+, Group II+ and Group III+
All Commercial Paraffinic Base Oils have VI > 95
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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Viscosity Index
Improvers
Dispersants
Rust and Corrosion Inhibitor
Foam Inhibitors
Antiwear Agents
Anti- oxidants
Detergents
Pour Point Depressants
Friction Modifiers
It’s Not Just Oil
It is properly balanced
complex mixture of active
chemicals
All compete for same surface area
High quality base oil
Finished product
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Petrol Diesel
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Engine oil represent ~ 70 % of total lubricant market in Sri Lanka
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
SJ
SC
SF
1968
1980
1972
1989
1994
1996
SD
SE
SG
SH
2000
API “S” Engine Service
Classifications
SL
1964
2004
SM
Sri Lanka Min Standard
SN
2010
CF
CA …CD CE CF-4 CG-4 CH-4 CI-4 CI-4 + CJ-4
CD-II CF-2
How can a buyer check this?
API “C” Diesel Engine Classifications
Sri Lanka Min Standard
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES for ENGINE OILS - (SAE J300)
SAE Low-Temp Low-Temp Pumping High-Temp High-Temp/High-Shear
Viscosity Cranking Viscosity, max Viscosity, Kinematic Viscosity at
Grade Viscosity (no yield stress) cSt @ 100°C 150°C & 106s-1
max, cP @ °C cP @ °C
min max min, cP
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 2.9 (1)
3.7 (2)
50 - - 16.3 < 21.9 3.7
60 - - 21.9 < 26.1 3.7
(1) SAE 0W, 5W and 10W multigrades (2) SAE 15W, 20W, 25W multigrades and 40 grade
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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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