Motor oil is a mixture of 2 main components - base oil and an additive package.
The use of the terms "Synthetic", "Semi-synthetic" or "Mineral oil" refers to the type of base oil that was used in the manufacture of the lubricant.
The base oil itself is divided into groups:
Group 1 is a base oil obtained by refining oil with reagents, this group contains a lot of sulfur and has a weak viscosity index (dependence of viscosity on temperature). Terminology - "Mineral oil".
Group 2 - these are oils purified by hydrogen (hydrocracking). Oils of this group contain almost no sulfur, during production, until the addition of additives, they are an almost transparent liquid, due to which the service life of the lubricant itself increases significantly, and the reduction of deposits and deposits in the engine significantly increases its resource. Terminology - "Mineral oil".
Group 3 is essentially the same oils of group 2, but with an increased viscosity index. The viscosity index is a measure that records the change in viscosity with temperature. Through additional oil isomerization processes, the best indicators of both low- and high-temperature viscosity are obtained, which allows you to be sure of the lubricant both when starting in the most severe frost and when operating at maximum loads. Terminology - "Synthetics".
Group 4 - these are oils based on polyalphaolefins. Due to the high cost of production and after the discovery of hydrocracking and isomerization technologies (groups 2 and 3 of base oils), which make it possible to produce base oils that are in no way inferior to them in quality, the production volumes of this group are gradually decreasing.
Mixing 3 or 4 groups of base oils with 1 or 2 groups of base oils - "Semi-synthetics". When mixing 3 or 4 groups of base oils with 1 group, “Semi-synthetics” is obtained with an increased indicator for sulfur and other elements, which negatively affects the engine resource.
Classification of base oils by the American Petroleum Institute (API).
There are 5 groups in total (API 1509, Appendix E). Group IV contains fully synthetic PAO base oils. Group V for all other base oils not included in groups I to IV.
Group 1. Produced from crude oil
Oils are classified as having less than 90% saturated molecules. They contain a lot of sulfur > 0.03%. The viscosity range is 80 - 120. The temperature range for these oils is 0°C - 65°C. base oils Group 1 is refined with solvents - this is the easiest and cheapest cleaning process. That is why oils from this group are the cheapest base oils on the market.
Group 2. Produced from crude oil
Group 2 base oils are 90% saturated molecules. They have sulfur< 0,03 % и индекс вязкости 80 - 120. Углеводородные молекулы этих масел являются насыщенными, поэтому базовые масла группы 2 обладают лучшими антиокислительными свойствами, более прозрачные. Эти масла очень распространены на рынке сегодня, и стоят не намного дороже чем масла группы 1.
Group 3. Produced from crude oil
Group 3 base oils are composed of more than 90% chemically stable, hydrogenated molecules. Sulfur content< 0,03% а индекс вязкости >120 units These oils are much better refined than Group 2 base oils due to the hydrocracking process. This lengthy process is specifically designed to produce the purest possible base oil from petroleum.
Group 4. Fully synthetic
Group 4 are polyalphaolefin (PAO) base oils. Produced by synthesis. They have a wider operating temperature range than oils from groups 1-3 and are suitable for use in extremely cold conditions and at high temperatures.
Group 5 Fully synthetic
Group 5 base oils are all other base oils, including silicone, phosphate ester, polyalkylene glycol (PAG), polyesters, bio-lubricants, etc. These base oils are used in combination with other base oils to improve lubrication properties. Esters are used as an additive to base oils to improve the properties of the base oil. Essential oil blend with polyalphaolefins (PAO) works at higher temperatures, provides better cleaning power and longer life.
Motor oil is a mixture of two main components - base oil and an additive package. The use of the terms "Synthetic", "Semi-synthetic" or "Mineral oil" refers to the type of base oil that was used in the manufacture of the lubricant.
The base oil itself is divided into groups:
1st group- this is a base oil obtained by refining oil with reagents, this group contains a lot of sulfur and has a weak viscosity index (dependence of viscosity on temperature).
2nd group- These are oils purified by hydrogen (hydrocracking). Oils of this group contain almost no sulfur, during production, until the addition of additives, they are an almost transparent liquid, due to which the service life of the lubricant itself increases significantly, and the reduction of deposits and deposits in the engine significantly increases its resource.
3rd group- these are essentially the same oils of the 2nd group, but with an increased viscosity index. The viscosity index is a measure that records the change in viscosity with temperature. Through additional oil isomerization processes, the best indicators of both low and high temperature viscosity are obtained, which allows you to be sure of the lubricant both when starting in the most severe frost and when operating at maximum loads.
4th group These are oils based on polyalphaolefins. Due to the high cost of production and after the discovery of hydrocracking and isomerization technologies (groups 2 and 3 of base oils), which make it possible to produce base oils that are in no way inferior to them in quality, the production volumes of this group are gradually decreasing.
So which oils belong to which group: not before answering this question, do not clarify that the concept of "Semi-synthetics" for a long time and did not have any criteria for characteristics, everyone understood that there is "Mineral oil" - this is exactly the oil of the 1st group, and there is "Synthetics" - oils of the 3rd and 4th groups.
On the this moment technologists and marketers came to a certain consensus, deciding to apply the following terms to groups of base oils:
1st group- "Mineral oil" (oil cleaning with reagents)
2nd group- "Mineral oil" (since hydrogen cleaning is used without changing the molecular structure)
3rd group- "Synthetics" (since there is a change in the molecular structure - isomerization)
4th group- "Synthetics" (chemical synthesis)
Mixing 3rd or 4th group of base oils with 1st or 2nd group of base oils - "Semi-synthetics"
In simple words- "Semi-synthetics" is a mixture of "Mineral" and "Synthetic" base oils, but here the main "pitfalls" are hidden. When mixing (Synthetic) 3rd or 4th group base oils with the 1st group, you get "Semi-synthetics", but the use of base oils of the first group initially implies increased values for sulfur and other elements of poorly refined oil of the first group, which negatively affects on deposits and the resource itself. You may not notice this immediately, but the results may not be the most rosy.
Find out which base oil used in a lubricant when purchased is difficult, if not impossible. To do this, you need to go to the manufacturer's website and according to the safety data sheet, based on many indicators, draw conclusions, which is often feasible only for technical specialists. You can limit yourself from risks by using lubricants only from those manufacturers who never use base oils of the first group in their production.
Almost all lubricants (oils and greases) consist of an oil or oil-like base (base oil) and additives that improve the natural characteristics of the base and / or give it new properties and characteristics. At the same time, the amount of additives varies from fractions of a percent in turbine oils to 25-30 percent in motor oils.
Additives are additives, however, the basic performance characteristics of the resulting lubricant will depend very much on the characteristics of the base oil.
To date, the international classification of the American Petroleum Institute (API) is in force, according to which all produced base oils are divided into 5 groups depending on the origin, the amount of unsaturated hydrocarbons, sulfur and their inherent viscosity index.
Base oils Group I (Mineral)
API Group I base oils are colloquially referred to as "mineral" and are produced in refineries from crude oil. The process of their production begins with atmospheric distillation (distillation) of light fuels - gasoline, kerosene, naphtha and diesel fuel. The rest - fuel oil - is not subject to further distillation at atmospheric pressure. However, under reduced pressure (under vacuum), different viscosity fractions are distilled from it, which are referred to hereinafter as “API Group I base oil”. The chemical composition of this product is very diverse. It includes hydrocarbons with different carbon chain lengths, cyclic and aromatic (containing a benzene ring) hydrocarbons of varying degrees of saturation, substances containing nitrogen and sulfur, and other impurities. Of course, after distillation, these oil fractions are subjected to various processes cleaning (extraction with solvents, clays, etc.). All these purifications, for reasons of economy, do not give the full effect, besides, they reduce the overall yield of the base oil. Group I base oils typically have a light yellow to dark brown color and a characteristic petroleum odor. They have the lowest saturated content, the highest sulfur content, and relatively low . Due to the very high heterogeneity of the molecular composition, these oils have low oxidative stability, high volatility, relatively high pour point.
Due to the ease of production and high availability (they are produced in almost all regions of the world), these are the cheapest oils, on the basis of which up to 70% of the total lubricants are currently produced.
API base oils
| GROUP | Content of saturated hydrocarbons, % | Sulfur content, % | Viscosity index |
| GROUP I | <90 | >0.03 | 80-120 |
| GROUP II | ≥90 | ≤0.03 | 80-120 |
| GROUP III | ≥90 | ≤0.03 | >120 |
| GROUP IV | Polyalphaolefins | ||
| GROUP V | Other base oils |
But many manufacturers of equipment and lubricants are no longer satisfied with the performance characteristics of mineral base oils and mineral lubricants derived from them. They are mainly dissatisfied with low oxidative stability and relatively high freezing temperatures. Low oxidative stability is reflected in short life finishing mineral oils and greases. High pour point (freezing) temperatures and a relatively low viscosity index narrow the temperature range of their application. The presence of light fractions in the base oil explains their high "waste" during operation.
The low oxidation stability of mineral lubricants during service results in their rapid darkening, an increase in viscosity, in the formation of sludge, varnishes and deposits on the parts of the lubricated equipment, which of course does not contribute to the long life of these parts. High freezing temperatures limit the climatic zones of their applicability, necessitating seasonal replacements. High "waste" - additional consumption of lubricants.
Group II and III base oils (Hydrocracking)
To reduce these negative traits, petrochemists have begun to produce API Group II base oils, which are most often referred to as "hydrocracked or hydrotreated". As the names suggest, the process consists of treating a Group I mineral base oil with hydrogen at high temperatures and in the presence of catalysts. Under these conditions, hydrogen is added to the unsaturated bonds of hydrocarbons, "opens" cyclic and aromatic chains. With light hydrocarbons, with compounds of sulfur and nitrogen, hydrogen forms gaseous products that are removed from the reaction sphere. Long molecules of linear hydrocarbons (paraffins) are destroyed (cracking), turning into shorter molecules. This treatment results in virtually sulfur-free, colorless oils with higher saturation (hence higher oxidative stability) and lower freezing point due to lower paraffin content. However, Group II oils continue to have a relatively low viscosity index, narrowing the operating temperature range of finishing lubricants derived from them.
Hydrocracked base oils are mainly produced in North America and South Korea. However, the demand for them is growing, and many oil companies(in particular, Russian ones) are intensively modernizing old and building new plants for the production of Group II base oils. The cost of these oils and, accordingly, finishing lubricants based on them is 1.5-1.8 times higher than mineral ones.
Demands for finishing lubricants with a wide temperature range of use have prompted petrochemists to produce base oils with a high viscosity index. This is achieved again with the help of hydrogen, which, under certain conditions, converts the linear chains of paraffins into branched ones. The process is called hydroisomerization. The presence of such isomerized paraffins increases the viscosity index of the base oil, but the additional operation raises the cost of the resulting "non-traditional" API Group III base oils by 2.3-2.8 times over mineral ones. But the obtained base oils and finishing oils based on them are even more chemically stable, “burn out” even less and have excellent low-temperature characteristics and a high viscosity index.
Group IV and V base oils (synthetics)
The desire to move away from oil as a source of lubricants prompted chemists to build hydrocarbon molecules of the required size (in chemistry they are called poly-alpha-olefins) to produce API Group IV synthetic PAO base oils. They are produced in complex chemical plants by cross-linking short molecules of natural gas components into longer ones called decenes. Based on them, base oils and finishing lubricants are produced with exceptional characteristics - very high oxidation stability, low volatility and very low freezing point (pure poly-alpha-olefins lose fluidity at temperatures below -70 ° C). Due to their high cost (4 times more expensive than mineral oils), PAO oils are used mainly for the manufacture of motor oils, although there are also synthetic transmission, hydraulic, gear and other industrial oils and lubricants.
The latest API Group V includes base oils called "true synthetics". This name emphasizes that no fossil resources (oil, gas) are used for their production. Obtained at chemical plants, these oils (or more correctly, oil-like liquids) include dozens of items. These are polyalkylene glycols, and silicones, phosphoric and esters, and many others. Their use is due to special technical requirements to equipment, extremely high and low temperatures, requirements of incombustibility, chemical inertness and many other parameters. The cost of these bases is tens or even hundreds of times higher than conventional mineral base oils. But the performance requirements justify the cost.
This group also includes vegetable oils, which are increasingly used for the production of environmentally friendly industrial oils.
It should be noted that until mid-2006, "synthetics" were called base oils of IV and V Groups and finishing lubricants obtained on their basis. However, lubricant manufacturers are now ALLOWED to use the word “synthetics” in the name of their products derived from Groups II, III, IV and V in various contexts. Only Group I materials remain “mineral” today.
A little interesting facts about engine oils...
There is such a thing as base oil, this is the first and most voluminous thing that is included in the finished product. Base oils come in several groups.
At the moment, in the world in terms of production in first place are oils first and second group. These are coarse mineral oils and mineral oils high degree cleaning. It is a yellow liquid in color. In the second group, she tends to more transparent shades. Both of these groups are made from oil.
The advantages here are simple:
- low production cost;
- low cost of the finished product for the buyer.
The downside is low performance. Such as pour point, presence of impurities, high graininess, weak film, tendency to waste, slag formation, and of course, low service life.
At the moment, mineral oils of the first and second groups are used less and less for motor oils. cars. And usually mineral oils come with a viscosity index of 10W-30, 15W-40.
Third group.
Usually in everyday life it is customary to call it synthetics. It is a transparent liquid with practically no impurities. The molecular series is even, which has a better effect on the friction parameters. But the third group, although it is called synthetics, but in fact it is not.
In the production of the third group, the second group of oils is used. That is mineral oils. But they go through a complex process of hydrocracking, where, with the help of hydrogen in the technological process, mineral oil is maximally purified and approaches in its characteristics to real synthetic oils. Although the third group was created from the second group, mineral water, it differs significantly and is currently the most common in the world in the production of motor oils for modern engines.
Fourth group.
These are oils that are as close as possible to real synthetics in complex chemical installations. Cross-linked into chains of hydrocarbons derived from natural gas. As a result, polyalphaolefins are obtained. These base oils are more expensive than all the previous three groups. And their characteristics are superior to the first three groups. Pure oils of the fourth group do not freeze up to -70 degrees. The oil film is as strong as possible and the oil itself is resistant to oxidation and high temperatures.
Fifth group.
This is the real synthetics and esters. This group includes many different oils. The most common for motor oils are ester oils. They are practically not used in the production of motor oils because of their high price and complexity in production.
Worldwide, no more than three percent of motor oils produced contain esters. And usually it is from 5 to 30 percent of the volume of the finished product. Using ester oils as a 100% oil base would be more of a negative effect than a positive one.
Ester oils have polar charged molecules, which allows the oil to stick or, one might say, become magnetized to the metal parts of the engine. As a result, an oil film is always preserved on the desired surfaces, and this is especially important when starting a cold engine for the first time.
Now we will tell you what happens next, when the manufacturer has chosen from which groups or one group the future engine oil is made. If we want to get the usual semi-synthetics, then about 70% mineral oil or about 30% synthetic is taken, and then an additive package is added, about 10-15% of the total oil volume. Here we will stop in more detail.
An additive package is a group of different additives for motor or other oils. Each additive performs its important function. Typically, the additive package includes antioxidant additives, anti-foam additives, friction modifiers, anti-friction additives, thickening additives, dispersion additives, detergents, dispersants and others.
In the world, at the moment, modern additive packages for motor oils are produced by only four manufacturers. And manufacturers of finished motor oil buy these additive packages and use them in their products. Castrol, Shell, LukOil, Liqui Moly, Motul and many others use third party additive packages.
The process of producing engine oil itself looks like a complex one, technological process mixing where under different temperatures components in the form of base oil and additives are supplied at different intervals. Then they are mixed according to a given program and recipe, from which the finished engine oil is obtained.
In this process, absolutely every component affects the quality of the finished product. The less the manufacturer saves on raw materials and the process, the better the engine oil is obtained from the above groups.
Now we can talk about what the oils that are now on the market are made of.
Semi-synthetic oils.
Everything is simple. These oils usually contain the first or second group of mineral oils. As well as a synthetic component. But almost always it is the third, hydrocracking group. The ratio of the content is usually 70% mineral oil and 30% synthetic. An additive package is added to the resulting mixture of base oils.
These motor oils are suitable for most vehicles, unless the manufacturer has specific requirements for the oil.
Typical representatives of this group of oils:,.
Synthetic oils of the 3rd group.
This is the most common product for modern engines. They usually start at 5W-20, 5W-30 and 5W-40 viscosities and so on. But be careful, there are also semi-synthetic oils with a viscosity of 5W-30 and 5W-40. The label should say SEMI-SYNTETIC. And if this is not written, pay attention to the price.
Synthetic oils of the third group cannot cost less than 1400 rubles per 4 liter canister at the moment. Unlike semi-synthetics, these oils have a longer life, oxidize less, and hold loads more.
You should not drive more than 12,000 kilometers, this is fraught with your engine, even if the manufacturer prescribes to drive all 15,000 or even 20,000. This is just a marketing ploy. The main thing for the manufacturer is that your motor leaves for a guaranteed period, and then it is desirable that you buy a new car.
Synthetic oils of the third group are,.
Synthetic oils based on the 4th group.
Such oils are already much rarer. They are more expensive in cost and therefore not widely used. That on the packaging of the oil of the third group, that on the packaging of the oil of the fourth group, synthetics are written. As a result, for the average buyer, these are the same oils. From which the buyer chooses cheaper oil and buys the third group. And the difference in price is usually at least twice.
These oils are mainly added to the total volume, which is quite enough to improve the properties of the finished product. Oil of the fourth group can usually be distinguished by the index 0W-20, 0W-30, 0W-40 and so on. Also, other viscosities are made on this group - 5W-40, 5W-30 and others. There are even 10W-40, but this is very rare.
Oils with the addition of an ester component.
These oils are usually divided into mixtures of the third and fourth groups with the addition of an ester component from 5 to 30%. For their price, these are the most expensive and least common oils. But they have the best performance and provide maximum engine protection under all operating conditions.
Recently, experimenters have appeared who find a separate pure ester component and add it to their motor to the filled oil in a proportion of 10%. Of course, this does not lead to anything good. Do not forget that when you add something to your oil in such volumes, you change its properties - you dilute it. Liquefy the additive package. Change viscosity. And what will be the result? Nobody knows. The engine will run. But the question remains - for how long.
Lubricants consist of two main components - base oils and additive packages. Oil production formulas may vary among manufacturers, but the quality of the base oils has a significant impact on the final product. The American Petroleum Institute (API) identifies four main groups that can be used to create motor oils.
- Group 1 is the base oils with the lowest degree of purification. Currently rarely used for the production of automotive lubricants. They are used for the least loaded working conditions.
- Group 2 are base oils obtained by hydrocracking and isomerization. They are often used in mineral oils currently on the market. Group 2 base oils are significantly superior to Group 1 base oils in terms of refinement. This means that oils derived from Group 2 base oils and an additive package will have longer drain intervals and are less susceptible to oxidation.
- Group 3 - API classification defines the difference between base oils of groups 2 and 3 through the viscosity index (V.I. - viscosity index). Group 2 base oils have a viscosity index of 80-119. Group 3 base oils have a viscosity index of 120 or higher. They are often referred to as very high V.I. oils. (VHVI). Currently, motor oil manufacturers, using group 3 base oils, indicate: synthetic or semi-synthetic.
- Group 4 are base oils, which are hydrocarbon synthetic fluids. In industrial volumes, they are obtained by synthesizing decene molecules into oligomers or polymers with short chains.
There are several types of synthetic base stocks. One of the most common is oils based on polyalphaolefins (Polyalphaolefins or PAO). They have a number of advantages over traditional oils:
- The absence of impurities of sulfur compounds and metals provides high anti-corrosion and anti-oxidation properties. This means they can provide long oil drain intervals and reduce sludge and varnish deposits.
- The absence of impurities, which are always catalysts for oil aging, makes the synthetic base oil highly resistant to high temperatures. So, for example, if oils of mineral origin begin to seriously oxidize already at temperatures above 130°C, then PAOs withstand operating temperatures up to 150°C without any loss of performance. The absence of random small molecules ensures low volatility of synthetic base oils compared to mineral oils.
- The absence of linear waxes reduces the natural pour point to very low values.
It is important to note that with the development of base oil technology, the composition of additives has also evolved. For example, pure PAO synthetic base is aggressive, so Lubri-Loy uses unique additive packages to make Lubri-Loy oils compatible with all types of gaskets used in the automotive industry.
Lubri-Loy is actively committed to providing consumers with quality synthetic motor oils. For the manufacture of fully synthetic oils (Full Synthetic motor oil), Lubri-Loy uses a fully synthetic base - API (category IV) PAO base oil and state-of-the-art additive packages. This allows motor oils to meet and exceed the requirements of modern gasoline engines, for example, Lubri-Loy oils currently have the latest API SN Resource Conserving, ILSAC GF-5 approvals.
The modern additive packages used in Lubri-Loy have been extensively tested beforehand to ensure that they meet the stated requirements. To verify product quality, each batch of Lubri-Loy products undergoes a series of tests in a laboratory located on the premises of the plant. This ensures that Lubri-Loy synthetic motor oils meet API and ILSAC standards in all parameters.
Lubri-Loy products are used throughout the world, including China and other emerging markets in Asia. In 2010, for achievements in the field of export, Lubri-Loy received an honorary certificate "Export Achievement Certificate".
Pictured are Lubri-Loy President Dave Graham and Lubri-Loy Asia Vice President Derek Cheng receiving a certificate from the US Secretary of Commerce.
