Oils & Additives

Lube oils are a blend of base oil and additives. The basic functions of lube oils are to:

• Reduce friction and
• Remove heat and suspend contaminants.

The characteristics of the base oil and the intended end use determine which additives are used to produce the final product. Some of the additives used in lube oils and their functions are:

	Additives and their functions
	Additive Type Function Detergents Remove impurities to prevent residue build up on engine parts Dispersants Prevent contaminants in the oil from clumping together Antioxidants Retard the process of oxidation. Oxidation destroys an oil's ability to lubricate Anti-Wear Bond to metal surfaces to create a film between moving metal parts Friction Modifier Make oil more slippery. This reduces wear and improves fuel efficiency Corrosion Inhibitor Prevent corrosion of metal surfaces Seal Swell Agent Prevent loss of fluid via gaskets Viscosity Modifier Allow the oil to adapt to temperature changes, maintain its grade, and retain its lubricating effectiveness Pour Point Depressant Allow oil to remain more fluid at lower temperatures Foam Inhibitor Retard the formation of foam in oil Red Dye Identification

Further technical details or theory on lubrication can be found at www.lubrizol.com