Synthetic Lubricants
Synthetic lubricants are lubricants produced by chemical synthesis rather than by extraction or refinement of petroleum in order to produce a compound that has planned and predictable properties.
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Applications of Synthetic Lubricants
Within the auto industry, synthetic lubricants are typically used as motor oils in gasoline or diesel engines. However, other applications of synthetic lubricants include use as food grade and high temperature lubricants, as well as for gear, bearing, air compressor, blower, and vacuum pump lubrication. Synthetic lubricants are most widely used in the automotive industry.
In addition to the automotive industry, they are often used in these industries as well:
- Aerospace
- Marine
- Medical
- Industrial
- HVAC
- Commercial
- Textile
Some dry lubricants, such as boron nitride and tungsten sulfide, are synthetic, and synthetic lubricating grease is often used in the food industry as food grade lubricant for meat slicing machines. Food grade lubricants are particularly important synthetic lubricants, since they must be effective as lubricants as well as safe to digest in case they come in contact with food. Without synthetic lubes, it would be expensive and difficult to keep food processing machines well maintained.
Characteristics of Synthetic Lubricants
The majority of synthetic lubricants are formed from one of five different bases. These bases include glycol, esters, polyalphaolefin, fluorinated lubricants, and silicone, each of which is used for particular properties that offer advantages for specific applications. For instance, esters are chemical compounds composed of an oxoacid combined with a hydroxyl group. Ester-based synthetic lubricants have excellent heat-resistant properties and are used as high temp lubricants. The chemical compound glycol contains two hydroxyl groups and is also referred to as diol. Glycol-based synthetic lubricants offer increased lubricity due to glycol鈥檚 high polarity, and, as a result, these lubricants have extremely high film strength. Polyalphaolefin is a polymer made from olefins and is also referred to as polyalkylene. Polyalphaolefin-based lubricants are ideal as multi-purpose lubricants because of their numerous advantages including thermal stability, high natural lubricity, hydrolytic stability, and low volatility. There are three classes of fluorinated lubricants: chlorofluorocarbons, perfluoroalkyl polyethers, and fluorosilicones. Fluorinated lubricants are expensive, but they offer excellent chemical inertness that makes them worth the cost in many industrial applications. Lastly, silicone lubricants provide moisture protection that allows them to also function as sealants and are highly popular in the automotive industry.
Factors to Consider When Purchasing Synthetic Lubricants
Synthetic lubricants can offer numerous advantages over petroleum-based lubricants (commonly referred to as organic lubricants).
These advantages include:
- Increased Shear Stability
- Reduced Flammability
- High Oxidation Resistance
- Decreased Loss Due to Evaporation
- Enhanced Mechanical and Chemical Properties
However, synthetic lubricants also have some disadvantages when compared to organic lubricants.
These disadvantages include:
- Potential problems with decomposition in industrial applications.
- Compatibility issues with certain materials.