Base oil

Base oil is an oil that is considered as a base for lubricant. The most important component of lubricants in terms of volume is the base oil and in terms of weight, on average, more than ninety-five percent of the formulation of a lubricant. Recommended for use in the production of automotive and industrial oils, oils and greases, rubber products, white oils and paraffin oils, etc. In some lubricants (compressor and hydraulic oils) 99% of the oil is base oil and only 1% of it is additives. Base oils can be obtained from petroleum or non-oil sources. Most of the base oils consumed in the world come from refining crude oil. The main constituents of base oils are paraffinic, naphthenic and aromatic compounds.

Base oil

Modern lubricants are made from a wide range of base liquids and chemical additives. The base liquid has several functions but is primarily a lubricant, providing a layer of liquid that separates moving surfaces or dissipates heat and coats the particles while minimizing friction. Maintains. Many lubricating properties are enhanced or created by adding special chemical additives to the base liquid.

Applications

Base oils are used to make products such as lubricants, engine oils and metalworking fluids. Different products require different oils and compounds. One of the most important factors is the viscosity of the liquid at different temperatures. Whether or not the crude oil is suitable for preparation in the base oil is determined by the concentration of the base oil molecules as well as the ease of extraction.

Different types of base oil:

  • Paraffinic Base Oils
  • Naphthenic Base Oils
  • Synthetic Base Oils

Base oil: paraffinic and naphthenic

Base oils are generally divided into three categories: mineral, synthetic and natural. The most commonly used mineral oils include paraffinic and naphthenic oils, which are obtained from the refining of crude oil.

Paraffin oils

Many lubricants used in machine tools around the world today are made from paraffin oils. Paraffin oils are saturated hydrocarbons formed by the combination of hydrogen and carbon. These oils are composed of normal hydrocarbons (straight long chain hydrocarbons) and ISO (branched) hydrocarbons. There may also be some petroleum oils in the structure of these oils.

Synthetic oil

Synthetic Base Oils (Often referred to as Group III, IV &V): Base Stocks that involve a chemically modified base which can be of a petroleum or chemical origin. Group III – Base Oils that have been converted by means of a catalytic process in the presence of Hydrogen, usually under greater pressures. These resulting Base Oils are very pure and refined with superior performance to Group I and II Base Stocks. PAO (Polyalphaolefin) (Group IV) – *for more information, please see our “PAO” page. Synthetic Esters (Group V) – Derived from diesters, polyesters, alkylated naphthalene, alkylated benzenes, etc.) Bio-Based Oils (Group V / unclassified) – Derived from renewable resources that are readily biodegradable. Some of these renewable sources include Sugar, Algae Succinct Acid.

Compared to naphthenic oils, paraffin oils have the following properties: • High resistance to oxidation • Higher drop point • Higher viscosity index • Low volatility and consequently high flash point • Low specific gravity

Petroleum oils

Petroleum oils are saturated cyclic hydrocarbons in one or more cycles, and each ring can contain 5 to 6 carbo .These oils have the following properties in comparison with paraffin oils: Not so good resistance to oxidation • Lower pour point due to lack of wax • Lower viscosity index Higher volatility and consequently lower flash point • Higher relative density • Better solubility .

Petroleum oils are generally used for low temperature range and when low pour point is required, especially in hydraulic oils, refrigerant oils, rubber production oils, metalworking oils, in cylinder lubricants for large engines and greases.

Virgin oil

Virgin oil is the most common type of oil used in lubrication products today and sets the standard for oil quality. Virgin oil is a crude oil that’s gone through the refining process but hasn’t been used yet. Once you use it in your machines, it’s downgraded to used oil.

Recycled Oil

When it comes to recycling your oil, this refers to taking used oil and running it through a filtration system to remove any insoluble impurities. This won’t remove any chemical contaminants, but removing the physical ones can make it suitable to be burned as fuel or re-used in non-critical systems. Reconditioned  oil is a subcategory of recycled oil, where recycled oil is mixed with additives to help prolong its usable life. Reconditioned oil is typically only good for one-time use, however, and not suitable in automobiles.

Base oil and industry

Base oils are used to make products such as lubricants, engine oils and metalworking fluids. Different products require different oils and compounds. One of the most important factors is the viscosity of the liquid at different temperatures. Whether or not the crude oil is suitable for preparation in the base oil is determined by the concentration of the base oil molecules as well as the ease of extraction.

Virgin Base Oil sn150 specification:

SPECIFICATION MINMAXMETHOD
Viscosity @100˚C4.55.5ASTM D-445
Viscosity @40˚C1924ASTM D-445
Viscosity Index90100ASTM D-2270
Flash Point ˚C190210ASTM D-92
Pour point0-6ASTM D-97
Total Acid Number mgKOH/g00.03ASTM D-664
Color11.5ASTM D-1500
Density0.8680.874ASTM D-1298

 

Virgin Base Oil sn350 specification:

SPECIFICATIONMINMAXMETHOD
Viscosity @100˚C7.59ASTM D-445
Viscosity @40˚C6770ASTM D-445
Viscosity Index90100ASTM D-2270
Flash Point ˚C220230ASTM D-92
Pour point00ASTM D-97
Total Acid Number mgKOH/g00.03ASTM D-664
Color22.5ASTM D-1500
Density0.8800.882ASTM D-1298

Virgin Base Oil sn500 specification:

PropertyUnitTest MethodSpecificationTypical Result 
AppearanceVisualC & BC & B
ColorASTM D-1500Max 21.8
Density at 15°Ckg/m3ASTM D-4052893
Kinematic viscosity at 40°Cmm2/s (CST)ASTM D-445108
Kinematic viscosity at 100°Cmm2/s (CST)ASTM D-445Min 10.810.9
Viscosity indexASTM D-2270Min 8788
Flashpoint°CASTM D-92Min 235245
Pour point°CASTM D-97Max -3-4
Noack at 250°Cwt %ASTM-D-5800Max 53.5
Sulfurwt %ASTM D-49511.2

Virgin Base Oil sn650 specification:

SPECIFICATIONMINMAXMETHOD
Viscosity @100˚C1416ASTM D-445
Viscosity @40˚C135155ASTM D-445
Viscosity Index90100ASTM D-2270
Flash Point ˚C255270ASTM D-92
Pour point00ASTM D-97
Total Acid Number mgKOH/g00.03ASTM D-664
Color33.5ASTM D-1500
Density0.8900.894ASTM D-1298