Explanation of terms for lubricating oil additives:
Here’s an explanation of some common terms you might encounter related to lubricating oil additives:
Shear stability:
The ability of petroleum products to resist shear action and maintain their viscosity and viscosity related properties unchanged.
Air release:
The ability of oil products to release air bubbles that decompose within them.
Sealing adaptability:
The degree and adaptability of an elastic sealing body to the impact of oil (mainly hydraulic oil) contact on its size and mechanical energy.
Viscosity temperature property:
the viscosity of oil changes with temperature. The viscosity temperature property of oil with small viscosity change with temperature is good, and vice versa.
Foaming property:
refers to the tendency of oil products to generate foam and the stability of foam.
Demulsibility:
The ability of oil and water to form an emulsion in two layers.
Viscosity index:
It refers to a conventional value of the oil viscosity changing with temperature. High Viscosity index. Indicates that the viscosity of the oil product varies less with temperature.
Oxidation stability:
The ability of lubricating oil to resist the action of atmosphere (or oxygen) and maintain its properties without permanent changes.
Hydrolysis stability:
Refers to the stability of oil products under heating conditions under the action of water and metals.
Rust resistance:
The ability of lubricating oil to prevent rusting of metal components at their contact points.
Corrosion resistance:
The corrosion of a metal surface caused by the chemical or electrochemical action of the surrounding medium.
Water soluble acid or base:
refers to the acidic or alkaline properties that exist in lubricating oils and are soluble in water.
Mechanical impurities:
Sediments or colloidal suspensions that are soluble in solvents such as gasoline, ethanol, and benzene in lubricating oil.
Carbon residue:
the residue generated by thermal cracking, condensation and catalysis of oil under the combined action of heat and oxygen.
Ash content:
refers to the inorganic matter obtained by calcining the remaining residue after the sample is burned and carbonized under specified conditions.
Base Oil:
The foundation of lubricating oil. It’s typically a refined mineral oil or a synthetic oil, and it provides the lubricating properties between engine components.
Additive Package:
A concentrated mixture of various additives blended into base oils to create the final lubricant product. These additives provide specific functionalities that enhance the base oil’s performance.
API Service Categories:
Established by the American Petroleum Institute (API) to classify engine oils based on their performance characteristics for gasoline (e.g., API SP) or diesel engines (e.g., API CK-4). Choosing the right API service category for your engine is crucial.
Understanding these key terms and their functions can help you make informed decisions when selecting lubricating oil additives for specific applications. It’s essential to consider the operating conditions, equipment requirements, and compatibility of additives to ensure optimal performance, protection, and longevity of the lubricant and the equipment.
When choosing lubricating oil additives, it’s advisable to partner with a reputable additive supplier that offers high-quality products, technical expertise, and regulatory compliance. Conducting compatibility testing, performance evaluation, and regular quality control measures are crucial for ensuring optimal additive performance, material compatibility, and compliance with industry standards and specifications.
Incorporating the right combination of lubricating oil additives into your formulations can provide a competitive edge by offering enhanced performance, protection, and reliability that meet the evolving needs of the lubricants industry and the increasing demands of modern engines and equipment operating under challenging conditions.