Synthetic Motor Oil Lubrication Basics |
between moving objects. The smother they glide past each other
the less friction is created. An example of this would be to rub
your dry hands together to feel the heat produced. If you put
hand lotion on your hands and use the same motion practically no
heat is produced. For automotive uses we will concentrate on
reducing the friction in the engine. The discussion can expand
to the drive train, transmission and even the door jams, using
other synthetic lubricants.
Heat is a byproduct of friction. If we can reduce the amount of
friction produced by moving objects contacting each other we can
then reduce the amount of heat produced. Less heat gives us
decreased wear and in the case of automobile engines increased
fuel mileage.
When we talk about synthetic oil, in comparison to petroleum
oil, we find some unique features. The basestocks in synthetic
motor oil are pure. Because they are derived from pure chemicals
they don't contain any contaminates or molecules that don't just
take up space they all are doing the job they are designed for,
to slip easily across one another. Petroleum oil on the other
hand has molecules found in nature that are jagged, irregular
and odd shaped and don't slip quite so easily. These molecules
all have differing properties and break down at different times.
Some at high temperatures, some at high pressures and some in
cold temperatures. Some of the molecules don't even have any
lubricating properties and just take up space until they
discinigrate into sludge, varnish on the cylinder walls or dirt
deposits.
Synthetic motor oil can be designed to do certain tasks. The
features include the Viscosity Index, the ability for it to flow
at certain temperatures, all molecules are the same size thus
have the same characteristics. Thermal and Oxidative Stability,
the fact that they don't contain contaminates that break down at
normal operating temperatures. Cold Temperature Fluidity, again
there is no paraffin or wax present to inhibit flow at lower
temperatures. Low Volatility, Synthetic Oil does not boil off at
normal operating temperatures.
In addition to basestocks there are additional additives that
improve the lubricating qualities of synthetic oil. Each
additive is designed to do one or more of the following, protect
metal surfaces, extend the range of lubricant applicability or
extend the lubricant life. Surface protection additives include
anti wear agents, rust and corrosion inhibitors, detergents, and
others. Extension additives include viscosity modifiers and seal
swell agents. Life extenders include antifoam agents and
antioxidants to inhibit oxidation or boil off.
In conclusion, by designing and producing Synthetic Motor Oils
to do specific tasks for extended durations we have developed
the ability to eliminate less efficient and costlier petroleum
oil from our internal combustion engines with additional
benefits, including better performance, fewer repairs, longer
life and better gas mileage with many fewer oil changes and thus
reducing our dependence on imported oil. Again when we talk
about synthetic oil we are reeducating the general public. We
are changing the hundred year old philosophy that oil needs to
be changed every three thousand miles and if it was good for my
grandfather it is good enough for me.
Greg Johnson is a retired Airline Captain. His jet equipment was dependent on synthetic lubricants to survive in the extreme operating environments of our atmosphere. The technology will be the standard in our internal combustion engines in the near future.
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