Base Oil

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What is Base Oil?

Base oil is a type of raw oil that is used as the main ingredient in the production of industrial lubricants. The combination of this substance with other materials results in the creation of a specific industrial oil with new properties and characteristics. In terms of volume, approximately 80 to 90 percent of all lubricants, including industrial oils and industrial greases, are made from base oils.

Industrial oils, such as hydraulic oil, turbine oil, and cutting oil, are used for various machines and equipment, and the raw material for each of these oils is base oil. To understand the difference between grease and oil, it can be said that industrial oil is produced by mixing base oil with additives. Additionally, by combining base oil, thickener or soap, and additives, industrial grease is produced.

This raw material is one of the most important components of lubricants, usually derived from the refining of crude oil. As mentioned, this oil is produced from the petroleum industry, and crude oil contains compounds such as sulfur, naphthenic, paraffinic hydrocarbons, and others. These compounds affect the properties of the oil because base oil derived from petroleum also contains these compounds.

The sulfur level, saturation, and viscosity index in base oils vary depending on their type. Below is an explanation of these aspects:

  • The level of saturation in base oil refers to the molecules that, during the refining process, help resist oxidation and breakdown.
  • Sulfur can be considered a naturally occurring mineral element in crude oil, which has positive aspects, such as being an antioxidant, and negative aspects, such as harmful effects. However, the lower the sulfur content, the less corrosion and oxidation occur.
  • The viscosity index is determined based on the temperature of the oil. This means that when the temperature of the oil decreases, the viscosity increases, and vice versa.

Classification of Base Oils

The classification of base oils consists of five main groups, which are as follows:

GroupSaturation LevelSulfurViscosity Index Range
ILess than 90%More than 0.03%80 to 120
IIMore than 90%Less than 0.03%80 to 120
IIIMore than 90%Less than 0.03%Above 120
IVPolyalphaolefins (PAOs) – Synthetic OilHas a very wide temperature range and is relatively more expensive
VAll base oilsUsed in high-temperature conditions, can also be used as an additive

Groups II, I, and III are mineral oils, IV is synthetic oil, and V is used for all base oils. Therefore, the application of base oil varies among the different groups.

Types of Base Oils

Base oil is a type of crude oil with different models for lubrication. Various types of base oils are classified into three categories, each with different performance and formulation characteristics:

• Natural or vegetable oil is environmentally friendly but has high pour points and is unstable against oxidation.

• Mineral oil is the most commonly used in the industry but contains impurities that need to be treated through refining to perform better in lubrication.

• Synthetic oil, or artificial oil, is generally more expensive than other oils but reduces operational costs during use. This type of oil performs well at both high and low temperatures.

Each type of base oil, whether mineral or synthetic, should be designed with the following six characteristics in mind:

  1. A suitable base oil must have thermal, physical, and chemical stability under high temperature and pressure conditions.
  2. It should exhibit proper neutralizing properties in different chemicals and equipment.
  3. When producing a lubricant, additives should easily absorb and disperse in the oil.
  4. It must be insoluble in water to withstand humid environments.
  5. It must resist oxidation and polymerization.
  6. It should have good durability in low temperatures or cold conditions.

What is Mineral Base Oil?

Mineral base oil is sensitive to temperature changes and has a lower flash point, meaning it can easily burn by losing viscosity at high temperatures. It consists of two categories: naphthenic oil and paraffinic oil, each having different operational conditions and qualities.

  • Pour point: from -6°C to -60°C
  • Viscosity index: up to 120° or VI Sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other elements are considered impurities in mineral base oils. If these impurities are not removed, they lead to the formation of sludge, deposits, and other contaminants. Mineral base oil is much cheaper than other oils and is more readily available.

Synthetic Base Oil As mentioned, synthetic base oils are composed of organic molecules that perform best under extremely high or low temperatures. They have a high tolerance for temperature and pressure variations, and their fire risk is lower.

Silicones, esters, phosphate and diacid esters, aromatics, polyglycol, and others are common synthetic lubricants. Synthetic oils also offer excellent thermal and shear stability, high safety, a very low pour point, and a high viscosity index.

What is Base Oil?

We have all heard the term base oil, but do you know what it is and how it is classified? Base oil is a type of oil used as the foundation for producing different oils. The base material in most cases is a raw base oil, which is then blended with other materials to produce oils with specific properties based on the intended use.

All lubricants are made from a base oil. Typically, lubricants are composed of 90% base oil and 10% additives. However, how do we know which base oil is the best? Choosing between mineral (natural) and synthetic oils can be confusing. This article introduces the types of base oils and their characteristics, which will help you make an informed decision.

We all know that various oils, such as motor oil, hydraulic oil, and others, are used for lubricating automotive parts and industrial machinery. Base oil is the primary ingredient in all of these lubricants. All lubricants follow a simple formula (base oil + additives). The only difference between oil and grease is that grease contains an additional thickener. Up to 30% of grease is made from a thickener (a simple or complex soap).

Base Oil is the term given to lubricating oils initially produced from the refining of crude oil (mineral base oil) or through chemical synthesis (synthetic base oil). The American Petroleum Institute (API) classifies base oils into five groups: Group I, II, and III from crude oil (mineral oil); Group IV, a fully synthetic oil; and Group V for all other base oils. They are classified by saturation level, sulfur content, and viscosity index. Here’s what these terms mean:

  • Saturation Level: Saturates are molecules typically found in base oils. They naturally exist in base oils, but higher saturation levels are obtained during the refining process. The higher the saturation level, the stronger the molecular bonds in the oil, which improves resistance to breakdown and oxidation or viscosity loss.
  • Sulfur Content: Sulfur is a natural mineral element found in crude oil. It reacts with oxygen and can negatively affect oil performance. However, sulfur, as an effective antioxidant, improves oxidative stability. A lower sulfur content improves purity, reducing the risk of corrosion and oxidation.
  • Viscosity Index: The viscosity index refers to how viscosity changes relative to the oil’s temperature. Viscosity is measured at 40°C and 100°C. When the viscosity index is high, temperature-induced viscosity changes are reduced. All oils increase in viscosity with decreasing temperature and decrease in viscosity with increasing temperature.

Base Oil Characteristics All base oils have specific characteristics that determine their ability to withstand lubrication challenges. Whether mineral-based or synthetic-based, industrial oils are designed for particular applications. Some essential characteristics of a base oil include:

  • Thermal and chemical stability: Base oil should maintain thermal and chemical stability to be useful under high heat and pressure conditions.
  • Neutralizing properties: Base oil should have good neutralizing properties for use in chemical manufacturing and automotive parts.
  • Additive absorption and distribution: Base oil should absorb and distribute additives well for various oil formulations.
  • Water insolubility: Base oil should be insoluble in water to perform well in humid environments.
  • Oxidation resistance: Base oil should resist oxidation and polymerization, ensuring it remains effective over long periods.
  • Physical and chemical stability: Base oil should be physically and chemically stable to remain usable over time.
  • Low-temperature stability: Base oil should retain its properties at low temperatures to be useful in cold environments.

How are base oils classified?

Base oils are classified into one or more of these five API groups before all the additives are mixed in:

Group I
These are classified as less than 90% saturated, with sulfur content above 0.03%, and a viscosity index range of 80 to 120. They are derived from crude oil and, as a result, represent the cheapest base oils available. Group I base oils are obtained through solvent extraction, resulting in oils with irregular molecules that increase friction within the oil.

Group II
These oils are defined as more than 90% saturated, with sulfur content below 0.03%, and a viscosity index range of 80 to 120. They are often made through hydrocracking, a more complex process than that used for Group I. Hydrocracking is a process that breaks down larger hydrocarbon molecules into smaller ones, giving them better antioxidant properties. The price of Group II oils is close to that of Group I oils.

Group III
These oils are more than 90% saturated, with sulfur content below 0.03%, and have a viscosity index above 120. The process for obtaining them is longer, designed to produce a purer base oil. More pressure and heat are applied during the refining process, making them more resistant to oxidation compared to Group I oils. Like Group II oils, these oils are becoming increasingly popular.

Group IV
Group IV base oils are polyalphaolefins (PAOs), which are the main synthetic base oils used in industrial and automotive oils. These synthetic base oils are made through a human-controlled process called synthesis. They have a much wider temperature range and are ideal for use in cold and high-temperature conditions. They are also significantly more expensive than Group III base oils.

Group V
Group V base oils encompass all other base oils, including silicone, phosphate esters, polyalkylene glycol (PAG), polyesters, biolubes, and more. These oils can be used at higher temperatures and, when compared to synthetic PAO base oils, provide excellent detergency, which increases their service life. It’s worth mentioning that oils from Group V are typically not used as base oils on their own but as additives to other base oils.

Conclusion

As base oils are produced through the refining of crude oil, how can we know whether a particular crude oil is suitable for becoming a base oil? Refining crude oil means heating it to separate different derivatives from each other. During this heating process, light and heavy hydrocarbons are separated. The lighter ones can be refined to make gasoline and other fuels, while the heavier ones are suitable for asphalt and base oils.

There are numerous types of crude oil around the world that are used to produce base oils. In fact, the characteristics of base oils determine how well the corresponding lubricant performs. Therefore, the American Petroleum Institute (API) has classified base oils into five groups: Groups I, II, and III from crude oil (mineral oils), Group IV as fully synthetic oil, and Group V for all base oils that generally help to extend the useful life of the oil.