Components of Lubricating Oil
Lubricating oils generally consist of several main components:
1.Base Material: Lubricating oils can be made from mineral base oils, synthetics, or a mixture of both (semi-synthetic).
2. Mineral: Produced from petroleum processing. Mineral oils are usually cheaper but have lower performance compared to synthetic oils.
3. Synthetic: Chemically produced with molecules designed to provide better performance under various temperature and load conditions. Synthetic oils are generally more expensive but have better viscosity stability and longer service life.
4. Additives: Lubricating oils are often enriched with additional chemicals called additives, which provide additional properties such as:
- Antioxidants: Inhibits oxidation of the oil when exposed to air and heat.
- Antiwear: Protects metal surfaces from wear.
- Detergents and Dispersants: Cleans and keeps the engine clean from deposits or sediment formed during operation.
- Viscosity Index Improver: Keeps oil viscosity stable over a wide range of temperatures.
Main Functions of Lubricating Oil
1.Lubrication: Oil forms a lubricating film between surfaces that move against each other, thereby reducing friction and wear.
2. Heat Reduction: Oil also acts as a heat conductor, helping to dissipate heat generated by friction in the engine.