No/Low SAP and Alternative Engine Oil Development and Testing

摘要

The use of alternative base oils, like esters or polyglycols, with more intrinsic properties for the lubrication of automobile engines has a potential for ecological and technical advantages. Being in competition with hydrocarbon-based formulations, detailed knowledge of several thermophysical and vis-cometric properties as well as tribological properties over a large temperature range are required (mapping). The tested polymer-free polyglycols and ester-based formulations displayed no visible tribological weaknesses regarding wear resistance and EP-behavior as well as offering significant advantages in order to meet metal- and ash-free and bio-no-tox criteria. Especially the formulated polyglycols without friction modifiers also showed an intrinsic retention of low coefficients of friction and a hydrodynamic film forming behavior comparable to hydrocarbon-based factory-fill oils. The wear resistance and EP-behavior of low-additivated polyglycols, but also of esters, can be enhanced by means of triboactive materials. Lubricious oxides or triboactive materials and polar base oils, or a combination thereof, may substitute the EP and AW properties realized by the additives, thus enabling long drains and responding to "eco-tox" or "bio-no-tox" requirements as well as restrictions from the "chemical box."