Lubricant Base Oils: Analysis and Characterization of

Abstract

Lubricant base oils, or base stocks, are hydrocarbon lubricant components which are combined with performance additives to make finished industrial and automotive lubricants. A lubricant is a substance that reduces friction and wear between surfaces. Base oils typically comprise 80–99% of the finished lubricant. They are refined from selected crude oils, re‐refined from used oil, synthesized from specific organic compounds, or extracted from renewable resources, such as seed oils. Base oils formulated into finished lubricants help to reduce friction and wear between moving surfaces, remove heat, seal, cushion against shock loads, and remove abrasives and contaminants from the lubricated area. Base oil analysis and characterization is important for understanding how the physical and chemical properties of these materials relate to performance in finished lubricants. It is also essential for maintaining quality control (QC) over the manufacturing process, for quality assurance (QA) of the finished product, and for setting specifications between buyer and seller.

Atmospheric pressure matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry of engine oil additive components

“…Their main tasks, among others, involve: improving the friction and wear performance between interacting surfaces; enabling the control of friction; serving as a coolant or heat transfer medium; increasing resistance against corrosion, oxidation and degradation by acids 1,2 ; and to keep surfaces clean. 3,4 There is a wide range of additives such as zinc dialkyldithiophosphates (ZDDPs), which are known for their anti-wear, anti-corrosion and anti-oxidant functionality. Therefore, ZDDPs are often applied in engine lubricants as well as hydraulic and transmission oils.…”

“…Liquid lubricants consist of one or more base oils and up to around 25% v/v of functional additives. Their main tasks, among others, involve: improving the friction and wear performance between interacting surfaces; enabling the control of friction; serving as a coolant or heat transfer medium; increasing resistance against corrosion, oxidation and degradation by acids 1,2 ; and to keep surfaces clean 3,4 …”