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What Are Synthetic Lubricants?
Engines, transmissions and other mechanical systems contain hundreds of moving parts. Though the metal surfaces of these parts look smooth, they are actually full of
microscopic peaks and valleys. When the peak of one surface touches its mating surface, it causes damage. Damage may lead to component failure or wear. Failure prevention
and wear reduction are the primary functions of lubrication.
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REFINED OILS
Conventional oils-the oils most people are familiar with-are refined from crude oil. Refining is a process of physically separating light oil components from heavy ones.
Crude oil contains millions of different kinds of molecules. Many are similar in weight but not in structure. The refining process cannot distinguish such molecules, so a
wide assortment of molecules is present in the finished lubricant made from crude oil stocks. Some crude oil molecules are not beneficial to the lubrication process. For
example, paraffin causes refined lubricants to thicken and flow poorly in cold temperatures. Molecules containing sulfur, nitrogen and other elements invite the formation
of sludge and other products of lubricant breakdown, especially in high-temperature applications. Sludge and breakdown products significantly increase wear rates. The
assorted molecules of refined lubricants also have different shapes, making lubricant surfaces irregular at the molecular level. As lubricant layers flow across one
another during the lubrication process, these irregularities create friction, which consumes power, reduces efficiency and increases heat and wear.
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SYNTHETIC LUBRICANTS
Synthetic lubricants are chemically engineered from pure chemicals rather than refined from crude oil. That gives them significant advantages over refined oils.
Pure -
The feedstock's from which synthetic lubricants are made do not contain sulfur, nitrogen or other elements that invite the formation of sludge and other products of
lubricant breakdown. Synthetic lubricants can be used in higher temperatures than refined lubricants without breaking down. Their resistance to breakdown also allows
them to be used longer than refined lubricants can be used. Lubricated systems stay cleaner and last longer with synthetic lubricants. Synthetic lubricants differ from
refined oils in three key ways: synthetics are pure, their molecular structure is uniform, and they may be designed to work in applications in which refined oils cannot.
Uniform -
The feedstock's from which synthetic lubricants are made feature uniform and smooth molecular structures, which ensures low friction as lubricant layers slide across one
another. Reduced friction increases energy throughput for greater fuel efficiency and power and reduces heat and wear for longer equipment life. Molecular uniformity also
helps synthetics resist thinning in heat and thickening in cold, which helps them protect better than refined oils over a system's operating temperature range and helps
ensure secure sealing.
Field experience has shown that synthetics can give economic benefits when used in place of mineral oils which were working satisfactorily. The benefits fall in five general
areas:
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Improved energy efficiency
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Wider operating temperature range
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Increased design ratings o Reduced
maintenance
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Better reliability and safer operation
- A. Jackson, Mechanical Engineering
Transactions
Designable -
Many different kinds of feedstock's may be used to create synthetic lubricants, allowing a synthetic to be designed for virtually any application. Some feedstock's are
ideal for use in extremely cold environments. Others are perfect for use in extreme heat. Some are extremely safe in applications in which refined lubricants pose a fire
or explosion hazard. Refined oils simply do not offer the design flexibility synthetics offer.
The design flexibility of synthetics also allows them to be tailored very specifically to the needs of everyday applications, such as automotive engines, commercial
equipment or much industrial machinery. That specificity helps ensure long life and peak power, performance and fuel economy from the lubricated system and long lubricant
life.
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Why Are AMSOIL Synthetics Lubricants Best?
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MOLECULAR ENGINEERING
AMSOIL lubricants are synthesized, not refined. Refining doesn't remove critical impurities, and the lubrication and performance qualities of refined petroleum lubricants
are limited. AMSOIL lubricants are impurity-free and offer superior performance and greater versatility.
HIGH-TEMPERATURE PROTECTION AND PERFORMANCE
AMSOIL synthetic lubricants are much more stable in high temperatures than refined oils are. Their superior heat stability reduces the rates of oil consumption, lubricant
breakdown and lubricant oxidation, which keeps oil consumption low; equipment clean, protected and running right; and extends lubricant life.
COLD-TEMPERATURE PROTECTION AND PERFORMANCE
AMSOIL synthetic lubricants remain fluid in temperatures far below zero, allowing dependable engine start-up, fast lubrication, dependable protection and maximum fuel
economy in severe cold operations.
INCREASED EFFICIENCY
AMSOIL synthetic lubricants are superior to refined oils in reducing friction, helping lubricated systems use fuel energy for work, not for overcoming drag. Superior
friction reduction, as well as lower volatility rates, also helps keep exhaust emissions low.
LONGER ENGINE AND EQUIPMENT LIFE
AMSOIL synthetic lubricants' heat stability and friction-reducing ability keep wear rates low, which helps increase the time to first teardown, increases the interval
between teardowns and increases overall equipment life.
EXTENDED LUBRICANT DRAIN INTERVALS
AMSOIL synthetic lubricants offer eight times the service life offered by refined lubricants, and sometimes even more. The long life of AMSOIL synthetic lubricants reduces
costs, downtime, waste and environmental damage.
PRODUCT LINE
AMSOIL manufactures synthetic lubricants, advanced filtration systems, fuel additives and coolants for virtually every commercial, industrial or automotive application.
QUALITY CONTROL
AMSOIL synthetic lubricants are manufactured from top-quality synthetic basestocks and performance additives according to a stringent quality control protocol in
computer-controlled AMSOIL manufacturing facilities. AMSOIL synthetic lubricants may be counted on to deliver the same top quality performance and protection every time
they are used, no matter where in the world they are purchased.
EXPERIENCE
AMSOIL formulated the first API synthetic motor oil in the world and has more experience formulating synthetic lubricants than any other manufacturer in the world. AMSOIL
leads the industry in product quality and innovation.
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