Basic Lubrication Concepts
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The Dual Nature of Friction: Friend and Foe
To better understand lubrication concepts, let’s start with the definition of friction. Webster defines friction as the “rubbing of one body against another,” and as “resistance to relative motion between two bodies in contact.” Friction can be beneficial. As we overcome this resistance to motion between two objects in contact, heat is generated. This heat is what warms our hands or starts a fire. Friction is also the principle behind the braking systems we find on our automobiles. In fact, once we were able to get a car moving, there would be nothing to stop it without friction except the effects of gravity or other objects.
However, friction can also be our enemy when heat is generated as the result of friction causing damage. With the contact of two moving parts friction and wear occur in these areas of contact. Thus, it leads to material failures, overheating and the formation of wear deposits.
Although there are many ways to reduce friction, the most common way is through the use of a fluid or semi-fluid material. The key characteristic of such materials is that they are not readily compressible. Fluid and semi-fluid materials allow us to minimize component contact or eliminate contact altogether. Such fluids are commonly referred to as lubricants.
Lubrication Concepts
There are three types of lubrication concepts or lubrication situations that can exist between two surfaces separated by a lubricant. Whether or not these situations occur is dependent upon the ability of the lubricant to provide adequate protection to the moving surfaces. When a fluid lubricant is present between two rolling and/or sliding surfaces, a thicker pressurized film can be generated by the movement of the surfaces (at their respective velocities). The non-compressible nature of this film separates the surfaces and prevents any metal-to-metal contact.
The condition in which surfaces are completely separated by a continuous film of lubricating fluid is commonly referred to as Hydrodynamic or Full Fluid Film Lubrication. Although hydrodynamic lubrication is the ideal lubrication scenario, in many situations it cannot be maintained. Hydrodynamic lubrication is limited by the lubricant’s viscosity, the rotation speed or RPM and by component loading. An increase in speed or viscosity increases oil film thickness. An increase in load decreases oil film thickness.
Boundary Lubrication is a condition in which the lubricant film becomes too thin to provide total surface separation. This may be due to excessive loading, low speeds or a change in the fluid’s characteristics. In such a case, contact between surface asperities (or peaks and valleys) occurs.
Friction reduction and wear protection is then provided via chemical compounds rather than through properties of the lubricating fluid. The third type lubrication situation is known as Elastohyrodynamic Lubrication (EHD or EHL). This situation occurs as pressure or load increases to a level where the viscosity of the lubricant provides higher shear strength than the metal surface that it supports. As a result, the metal surfaces deform elastically in preference to the highly pressurized lubricant. This increases the contact area and decreases the effectiveness of the lubricant. To minimize friction an effective lubricant should be able to handle the pressures and speeds of the surfaces it will separate.
What Type of Base Oil Is AMSOIL Made With?
AMSOIL, a prominent name in the world of lubricants, has long been hailed as a leader in performance and protection. However, a recent debate has stirred among enthusiasts and consumers regarding the base oils used in their products. Some have questioned the use of Group III base oils and whether they qualify as genuinely synthetic. Perhaps this article can demystify the choice and significance of base oils in blending synthetic lubricants.
Understanding Base Oil Groups
Before diving into the specifics of AMSOIL’s base oils, it’s essential to comprehend the various base oil groups and their properties. Machinery Lubrication provides an excellent resource for understanding base oils, which you can explore further[1]. The base oil groups are categorized based on their refining processes, with each additional process eliminating more of the undesirable components, resulting in pure chemical elements suitable for lubricating oils.
AMSOIL’s Historical Use of Base Oils
AMSOIL’s history in blending and marketing synthetic lubricants began in 1972 when they exclusively used esters to create their products. At the time, esters were the most widely available synthetic base oil. In the 1980s, they transitioned to using Polyalphaolefins (PAOs) as a base oil due to their superior properties. It wasn’t until 1999, following a court ruling in the Mobil vs. Castrol case, that the National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau classified Group III base oils as synthetic.
Defining “Synthetic” Base Oils
The debate surrounding what qualifies as a synthetic base oil revolves around different interpretations. The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) defines synthetics as manufactured compounds, not naturally occurring, formed by combining low-molecular-weight materials via chemical reactions into higher-molecular-weight structures. In this context, synthetic base oils are intentionally created through chemical processes instead of naturally derived oils.
AMSOIL’s Response
AMSOIL has addressed the concerns about its use of Group III base oils by emphasizing that it never stated that Group III oils were not synthetic. They highlight their history of utilizing various base oils, including esters and PAOs, for their unique properties. They claim that focusing on the type of base oil is a distraction from what truly matters, which is product performance and quality. They experiment with different synthetic base oils and additives to create a custom formulation that maximizes performance, and they refuse to disclose the specific base oils used to maintain their competitive edge.
Focus on Product Performance and Innovation
The debate over what qualifies as a synthetic base oil has stirred the lubricant industry and raised questions about AMSOIL’s choice of base oils. While some may find the classification of Group III base oils as synthetic a recent development, AMSOIL maintains that they’ve always focused on product performance and innovation. They refuse to disclose the specific base oils they use, emphasizing their commitment to creating superior lubricants through a combination of various base oils and additives.
When choosing the best synthetic lubricants, what matters most is the end product’s performance and quality. AMSOIL upholds its reputation as a pioneer in synthetic lubricant technology, unwavering in its dedication to delivering top-tier products that set industry standards—they don’t just make it, they define it.
[1] Machinery Lubrication: Base Oil Groups Explained
[2] STLE: Worldwide Definitions of Synthetic Lubricants
More About Base Oils Used To Make Motor Oil
Full synthetic -vs- 100% synthetic motor oil
What is the difference?
Various sources define “100% synthetic” and “full synthetic” differently. Some specify “100% synthetic” as motor oil solely derived from Group IV polyalphaolefin (PAO) base oils, while they characterize “full synthetic” as oil made from Group III base oils. read more… What is the difference?
Do all synthetic oil groups have similar properties?
Understanding Groups III, IV, and V base oils.
It’s important to note that there are significant performance variations among different base oil group categories. Generally, Group IV base oils exhibit the highest performance, followed by Group III, and Group II is the least favourable. However, it’s crucial to be aware of exceptions to this generalization. Additionally, it needs to be more accurate to assess motor oil performance solely based on the type of base oil used. read more… about Group III (3), IV (4) and V (5) base oils.
What exactly is behind the labels of those bottles?
How much synthetic is in my oil?
Unlike food and drug companies that are required to disclose product ingredients, lubricant manufacturers are not held to the same standard. This lack of mandate can be confusing when shopping for synthetic motor oil, as store shelves are filled with oils labelled as “full synthetic,” “semi-synthetic,” “synthetic,” and even “100% synthetic.” What exactly are you getting when you open the cap on these bottles? read more… How much synthetic is in my oil?