Lubricants are used to clean, cool, lubricate and seal engines and machinery components. Lubricant oil additives are chemical components or blends added to the lubricating oil at a treat rate of between < 1 to 35 percent. Their basic purpose is to introduce into or enhance the lubricant oil in one or more specific functions.
Common Lubricant Additives
After identifying the right lubricant oil, it is necessary to select a lubricant oil additive or additives capable of increasing the ability of the lubricant oil to achieve the desired result. Multifunctional additives are often employed. Among the most common types are those chosen for their ability to fulfil the following functions:
- Antifoam additives and defoamers: These include oil-insoluble silicone materials
- Antiwear: An example is zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP)
- Boosting reserve alkalinity: A few examples are monoethanolamine (MEA) and triethanolamine (TEA)
- Boundary lubricity: Two examples are lard and canola oil
- Detergents: Usually created using calcium and magnesium chemistry
- Emulsification: Two such types are sodium petroleum sulfonate and alkanolamine salts of fatty acids
- Extreme pressure (EP): Examples include Zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP) and chlorinated paraffins
- Inhibiting corrosion: Two examples are overbased sulfonates and alkanolamides:
Yet, it is important to note that employing more lubricant oil additives is not necessarily better.
Lubricant Oil Additives
Lubricants are not stand-alone products. To ensure the required results are met it is essential to blend in or add one or more additives. The selection depends upon the desired result. A variety of choices are readily accessible. Tailor-made options are also available.
