Read Aloud the Text Content

This audio was created by Woord's Text to Speech service by content creators from all around the world.

Text Content or SSML code:

POL 4. Slide 1. Welcome to the Principles of Lubrication, module 4, an introduction to lubricant base oils. In the previous module we learned about the origins of base oils with a basic overview of the fractionating / refining process, that produces the base oils, ready for use as lubricants and other petroleum-based products. Slide 2. In this module, we will cover the following areas. Basic structure of a lubricant. Types of base oils. And finally, about the Base oil categories used in the lubricant industry. Slide 3. The basic structure of industrial oils. Base oils are the basis and main component of lubricants. They act as a foundation to build the finished lubricant. A modern lubricant is made up of approximately 90 to 98% base oil plus 2 to 10% additives. Selection of the base oil depends on the intended purpose and expected market price of the lubricant. Viscosity grade, cleanliness levels, and the refining process are crucial for the quality and lubrication properties of the finished product. The higher the quality and performance characteristics, the higher the cost price. This in turn will have an impact on the final lubricant selling price. Additives are additional lubricant components. These are added to the base oil to achieve the required performance properties of the lubricant. Slide 4. Here is a short video about base oil types. Slide 5. As we have seen in the previous video, the base oil provides the building blocks or foundations upon which to build the finished lubricant. Base oils can generally be categorised as. Mineral, approximately 90 – 95%. Synthetic, approximately <5%. And, Bio (i.e. plant based and/or biodegradable), approximately <0.2%. Each type of base oil has different performance characteristics and areas of final use, which will be explored in the next slide. Slide 6. Base oil types, continued. As we have seen previously, mineral base oils form the majority of available stock to make the finished lubricant. In addition to this we also have semi-synthetic base oils, made from a mineral and synthetic blend, and technical white oils, which again are highly refined mineral oils for use in medicinal, pharmaceutical, veterinary preparations, cosmetics, toiletry, and household preparations to name but a few. We then move onto some of the synthetic base oils. A commonly used synthetic base oil is Poly alphaolefin or P A O, this is derived from a mineral hydrocarbon base. PAOs are commonly used in the automotive industry, and in the manufacture of hydraulic, gear and bearing lubricants. They have a naturally high viscosity index, meaning they can be used in low and high temperature applications. They can be used as food grade lubricants, and are also fully miscible with mineral lubricants. The next type of synthetic base oils are chemically derived, and entirely free of mineral oil or hydrocarbons. Two popular choices of base oil are Polyalkylene glycol, or sometimes referred to as Polyglycol (P A G), and Perfluoropolyether or PFPE. P A G or Polyglycols have a very high viscosity index, and like PAOs are excellent at applications at low and high temperatures. They can be used as a carrier oil for solid lubricants, for example, for high-temperature chain lubrication where they burn off and leave the solid lubricant behind. Some versions are food grade and biodegradable. They are also used as compressor oils, worm gear oils, fire-resistant lubricants, metal-working fluids and brake fluids. Water-soluble polyglycols are not compatible with mineral oils and must not be mixed with other polyglycols or with mineral oils, the result is often a gelatinous, gooey mess. Although they are excellent lubricants, they do need to be managed correctly to avoid cross contamination with other lubricants. They can also have some negative effects on paints and seals, so it is always best to consult OEM paint and seal manufacturers before switching to these types of lubricants. Another type of synthetic base oil is Phosphate ester, commonly used for the manufacture of fire-resistant lubricants, for hydraulic systems, compressors and turbine systems. Like the P A G base oils, they are not compatible with most seal materials and can be quite expensive. And finally we have plant based vegetable oils or bio oils. Natural oils are extracted from plant seeds and then highly refined to produce synthetic esters. These have excellent lubrication properties, and the advantage of being biodegradable. We use these base oils to produce our Planto range of products. The two illustrations on the slide, show a very simplified difference in the molecular structure of a mineral oil verses a synthetic oil. The top image show that the molecules have naturally irregular sizes, whereas the image at the bottom shows a more uniform man made molecular structure. Because of the more uniform structure of the synthetic oil, it will produce a more efficient lubricant. Slide 7. So why do we use synthetic base oils? Synthetic lubricants are DESIGNED for specific reasons, for example:  High temperature applications.  Low temperature applications.  Biodegradable.  Food grade products.  Fire resistance.  ‘Long life’ lubricants. But remember, contamination with mineral oil will adversely affect the above properties. Mineral oil will not mix with some synthetics, especially as we have said previously with the P A G oils. Slide 8. Here is an overview of the main structure of industrial oils. As you can see a lubricant is not simply oil straight from the ground, but a controlled blend of base oils and additives (which we will look at in a later module). As we have said previously, the base oils can be mineral or synthetic. These are then divided down into what are known in the industry as API Base Oil Groups, ranging from 1 to 5. API stands for the American Petroleum Institute. Slide 9. This slide gives a breakdown of the API Base oil groups. Groups 1 to 3 are mineral base oils groups and 4 and 5 are synthetic base oil groups. With groups 1 to 3, the higher the base oil group, the better the quality, and lubrication characteristics, as each stage of refinement removes undesired sulphur and other impurities. Slide 10. This slide shows how the colour of the lubricant can vary from group to group. Each stage of the refining process removes more impurities and chemically alters the base oil, the colour becomes clearer and brighter, almost water-like. Slide 11. Thank you. You have completed this module.