Group 1 base oils. Motor oil quality groups. NS synthetic base oils

What to put in the engine? What is the difference between oils, besides price? What happened before and where are we going now? Let's try to figure it out...

Any oil is a mixture of a base, called base oil, and a package of additives, due to which the specified properties of the oil are formed - viscosity, anti-wear, extreme pressure, antioxidant, detergent and others.

The type of base oil determines the final type of oil - mineral, synthetic or partially synthetic oil, colloquially called “semi-synthetic”. The very concept of “synthetic oil” is quite broad. This refers to an oil whose base is obtained by chemical synthesis. In practice, in the interests of His Majesty Marketing, companies interpret the composition of oils quite broadly, and in their own interests. In the professional community, it is customary to rely on the API (American Petroleum Institute) classification system, which clearly divides oils into groups.

Base oils, according to this classification, are divided into five main groups:

- Group I – base oils, obtained by selective purification and dewaxing. A simple and cheap option, which is obtained at the final stage of oil refining, after gasoline and diesel fractions have been distilled from it. These are oils that are commonly called “mineral”. Selective purification and dewaxing operations are required to remove resins, sulfur from oil, and decompose paraffins into shorter and lighter groups of hydrocarbons. Due to this, it is possible to achieve acceptable depressant properties of the oil and a more or less acceptable dependence of viscosity on temperature.

On the one hand, our fathers and grandfathers used such oils and did not experience any special problems. On the other hand, the oil had to be changed every three to five thousand kilometers, and the degree of engine boost was very low by modern standards. But it’s cheap.

• Group II - so-called “improved mineral”, highly refined base oils with a low content of aromatic hydrocarbons and paraffins. This is the same “mineral water” in terms of its base and production technology, but slightly improved in properties. Most modern mineral oils are produced from base oils of this group. Manufacturers of semi-synthetic oils also use it, mixing the bases of the second group and the third group;
• Group III – base oils obtained using catalytic hydrocracking technology (HC technology). This is the thermal cracking of oil at certain temperatures and pressure, carried out in a hydrogen environment in the presence of special catalysts. This method allows you to solve several problems.

Firstly, sulfur and nitrogen are removed, the presence of which is undesirable in motor oil: they worsen environmental performance and increase the corrosiveness of the oil.

Secondly, unstable unsaturated hydrocarbons are removed - when saturated with hydrogen, they turn into stable saturated hydrocarbons. This ensures that the properties of the base oil are preserved over time. Thirdly, heavy aromatic and paraffin hydrocarbons are broken down into lighter ones, which dramatically improves the viscosity and depressant properties of the base oil.

As a result, a smaller volume of thickening and depressant additives is required, and the properties of the oil from batch to batch and over time become more stable and predictable.

In fact, these are also mineral oils, but with properties close to synthetic ones. Some companies call them either semi-synthetic, synthetic, or hydrosynthetic. On modern market oils, this group is predominant.

The main problem of esters, in addition to their high price, is their very poor lubricity. Therefore, esters are used only as components of base oils of the 4th and 5th groups, adding them to PAO-based base oil in a volume not exceeding 5...20%. The scope of application of such oils is highly accelerated engines, including sports ones, which require enhanced engine protection against wear.

The relationship between the viscosity classes of motor oils according to GOST 17479.1 and SAE J300

Read more about what exactly base oils are more high groups better than ordinary “mineral water”, we will talk in the following articles: "

Lubricants consist of two main components - base oils and additive sets. Oil formulations may vary among manufacturers, but the quality of the base oils has a significant impact on the final product. The American Petroleum Institute (API) identifies four main groups that can be used to create motor oils.

• Group 1 is base oils with the lowest degree of purification. Currently rarely used for the production of automotive lubricants. Used for the least loaded working conditions.
• Group 2 are base oils obtained by hydrocracking and isomerization. They are often used in mineral oils now sold on the market. Group 2 base oils significantly exceed Group 1 base oils in terms of purity. This means that oils produced from Group 2 base oils and additive packages will have longer drain intervals and are less susceptible to oxidation.
• Group 3 - API classification determines the difference between base oils of groups 2 and 3 through the viscosity index (V.I. - viscosity index). Group 2 base oils have a viscosity index of 80-119. Group 3 base oils have a viscosity index of 120 or higher. They are often referred to as very high V.I. oils. (VHVI). Currently, motor oil manufacturers, when using Group 3 base oils, indicate: synthetic or semi-synthetic.
• Group 4 are base oils, which are hydrocarbon synthetic fluids. In industrial quantities, they are obtained by synthesizing decene molecules into oligomers or polymers with short chains.

There are several types of synthetic base stocks. One of the most common is polyalphaolefin oils (Polyalphaolefins or PAO). They have a number of advantages over traditional oils:

• The absence of impurities of sulfur compounds and metals ensures high anti-corrosion and antioxidant properties. This means they can provide longer oil drain intervals and reduced sludge and varnish deposits.
• The absence of impurities, which are always catalysts for oil aging, makes synthetic base oil very resistant to high temperatures. So, for example, if oils of mineral origin begin to seriously oxidize already at temperatures above 130°C, then PAO can withstand operating temperatures up to 150°C without any loss of operating properties. The absence of random small molecules makes synthetic base oils less volatile than mineral ones.
• The absence of linear paraffins reduces the natural pour point to very low values.

It is important to note that as base oil technology has evolved, additive formulations have also evolved. For example, the synthetic base PAO in pure form is aggressive, therefore Lubri-Loy uses unique additive packages that allow Lubri-Loy oils to be compatible with any type of gasket used in the automotive industry.

Lubri-Loy is actively committed to providing consumers with quality synthetic motor oils. To produce Full Synthetic motor oils, Lubri-Loy uses a fully synthetic base - API (category IV) PAO base oil and cutting-edge additive packages. This allows motor oils to meet and exceed the requirements of modern gasoline engines, for example, Lubri-Loy oils currently have the latest API SN Resource Conserving, ILSAC GF-5 approvals.

The advanced additive packages used in Lubri-Loy have been extensively tested to ensure they meet their specifications. To verify product quality, each batch of Lubri-Loy products undergoes a series of tests in a laboratory located on the premises of the plant. This ensures that all parameters of Lubri-Loy synthetic motor oils comply with the requirements of API and ILSAC standards.

Lubri-Loy products are used throughout the world, including China and other emerging markets in Asia. In 2010, Lubri-Loy received the Export Achievement Certificate for its achievements in the field of exports.

Pictured here are Lubri-Loy President Dave Graham and Lubri-Loy Asia Vice President Derek Cheng receiving a certificate from the US Secretary of Commerce.

Almost all lubricants (oils and greases) consist of an oil or oil-like base (base oil) and additives that improve the natural characteristics of the base and/or give it new properties and features. At the same time, the amount of additives varies from fractions of a percent in turbine oils to 25-30 percent in motor oils.

Additives are additives, but the main performance characteristics of the resulting lubricant will greatly depend on the characteristics of the base oil.

Today, there is an international classification of the American Petroleum Institute (API), according to which all produced base oils are divided into 5 groups depending on their origin, the amount of unsaturated hydrocarbons, sulfur and their inherent viscosity index.

Group I Base Oils (Mineral)

API Group I base oils are colloquially referred to as "mineral" oils and are produced in refineries from crude oil. The process of their production begins with atmospheric distillation (distillation) of light fuels - gasoline, kerosene, naphtha and diesel fuel. The remainder - fuel oil - is not subject to further distillation at atmospheric pressure. However, under reduced pressure (under vacuum), fractions of different viscosity are distilled out of it, which are henceforth called “API Group I base oil.” The chemical composition of this product is very diverse. It includes hydrocarbons with varying carbon chain lengths, cyclic and aromatic (containing a benzene ring) hydrocarbons of varying degrees of saturation, substances containing nitrogen and sulfur, and other impurities. Of course, after distillation, these oil fractions are subjected to various purification processes (extraction with solvents, clays, etc.). All these cleanings, for reasons of economy, do not give the full effect, and also reduce the overall yield of base oil. Group I base oils are typically light yellow to dark brown in color and have a characteristic petroleum odor. They have the lowest saturated content, the highest sulfur content and relatively low . Due to the very high heterogeneity of the molecular composition, these oils have low oxidative stability, high volatility, and relatively high pour point.

Due to their ease of production and high availability (they are produced in almost all regions of the world), these are the cheapest oils, on the basis of which up to 70% of the total volume of lubricants is currently produced.

API specification base oils

But many equipment and lubricant manufacturers are no longer satisfied with the performance characteristics of mineral base oils and mineral lubricants obtained from them. They are mainly dissatisfied with low oxidative stability and relatively high freezing temperatures. Low oxidative stability affects short life finishing mineral oils and lubricants. High pour point (freezing) temperatures and a relatively low viscosity index narrow the temperature range for their use. The presence of light fractions in the base oil explains their high “waste” during operation.

The low oxidative stability of mineral lubricants during service results in their rapid darkening, increased viscosity, and the formation of sludge, varnish and carbon deposits on the parts of lubricated equipment, which of course does not contribute to the long life of these parts. High freezing temperatures limit the climatic zones of their applicability, necessitating seasonal replacements. High “waste” means additional consumption of lubricants.

Group II and III base oils (Hydrocracking)

To reduce these negative traits, petrochemists began producing API Group II base oils, which are most often referred to as “hydrocracked or hydrotreated.” As the names indicate, the process involves treating Group I mineral base oils with hydrogen at high temperatures and in the presence of catalysts. Under these conditions, hydrogen attaches to the unsaturated bonds of hydrocarbons, “opening” cyclic and aromatic chains. With light hydrocarbons, with sulfur and nitrogen compounds, hydrogen forms gaseous products that are removed from the reaction sphere. Long molecules of linear hydrocarbons (paraffins) are broken down (cracking), turning into shorter molecules. As a result of this processing, the output is virtually sulfur-free, colorless oils that have a higher degree of saturation (and therefore higher oxidative stability) and a low freezing point due to lower paraffin content. However, Group II oils continue to have a relatively low viscosity index, which narrows the operating temperature range of finishing lubricants produced on their basis.

Hydrocracked base oils are primarily produced in North America and South Korea. However, the demand for them is growing, and many oil companies(in particular Russian ones) are intensively modernizing old and building new installations for the production of Group II base oils. The cost of these oils and, accordingly, finishing lubricants based on them is 1.5-1.8 times higher than mineral ones.

Requirements for finishing lubricants with a wide temperature range of use have prompted petrochemists to produce base oils with a high viscosity index. This is achieved again with the help of hydrogen, which is certain conditions converts linear chains of paraffins into branched ones. The process is called hydroisomerization. The presence of such isomerized paraffins increases the viscosity index of the base oil, but the additional operation raises the cost of the resulting “non-traditional” API Group III base oils by 2.3-2.8 times over mineral ones. But the resulting base oils and finishing oils based on them are even more chemically stable, burn even less and have excellent low-temperature characteristics and a high viscosity index.

Group IV and V base oils (synthetic)

The desire to move away from oil as a source of lubricant production has prompted chemists to begin constructing hydrocarbon molecules of the required size (in chemistry they are called poly-alpha-olefins) to produce synthetic PAO API Group IV base oils. They are produced in complex chemical plants, stitching together short molecules of natural gas components into longer ones called decenes. Based on them, base oils and finishing lubricants with exceptional characteristics are produced - very high oxidative stability, low volatility and very low freezing point (pure poly-alpha-olefins lose fluidity at temperatures below -70 ° C). Because of them high cost(4 times more expensive than mineral oils) PAO oils are used mainly for the production of motor oils, although there are also synthetic transmission, hydraulic, gear and other industrial oils and lubricants.

The latest API Group V includes base oils called “true synthetics.” This name emphasizes that fossil resources (oil, gas) are not used for their production. Produced at chemical plants, these oils (or, more correctly, oil-like liquids) include dozens of items. These include polyalkylene glycols, silicones, phosphorus and esters, and many others. Their use is due to special technical requirements to equipment, extremely high and low temperatures, requirements for non-flammability, chemical inertness and many other parameters. The cost of these bases is tens or even hundreds of times higher than conventional mineral base oils. But the operational requirements justify the costs.

This group also includes vegetable oils, which are increasingly used for the production of environmentally friendly industrial oils.

It should be noted that until mid-2006, “synthetics” meant Group IV and V base oils and finishing lubricants derived from them. However, lubricant manufacturers are now ALLOWED to mention the word “synthetic” in the names of their Group II, III, IV and V products in various contexts. Today only Group I materials remain “mineral”.

As you know, automobile oils are classified not only by viscosity, the presence and level of various additives, but also by chemical composition. According to this classification, mineral, semi-synthetic and synthetic oils are distinguished.

The base oils used to make the final product are divided into several groups:

First group- regular mineral oil, obtained from heavy fractions of oil using various solvents.

Second group- refined mineral oils which have undergone a processing procedure, due to this the stability of the base oil has been increased and there are fewer harmful impurities in it. Mineral oils of this group are used for older engines passenger cars, for trucks, large industrial and marine engines, when an inexpensive lubricant is needed.

Third group- oils obtained using the hydrocracking process. Hydrocracking is the name of the technology by which the mineral base is cleared of impurities and driven to break long hydrocarbon chains and is saturated with hydrogen molecules. When using this method, the oil base is modified at the molecular level in such a way that the composition becomes something between natural and synthesized. This relatively recently appeared type of oil has its own positive qualities: firstly, its cost will be lower than that of PAO synthetics, and secondly, its quality will be incomparably better than that of mineral compounds. Initially, these oils were classified as highly refined mineral oils or semi-synthetics (according to some manufacturers). But in 1999, there was a precedent when Exxon Mobil filed a lawsuit against Castrol, whose canisters of hydrocracked oil were labeled “Synthetic.” The court's decision was unexpected for many - the court decided that the inscription "Synthetic" is marketing ploy, and not a technical description of the product. After this decision, many manufacturers began to write “Synthetic” on their cans of hydrocracked oil. Since the technology for producing Group 3 oils is much cheaper than the production of classic synthetics at PJSC, these oils have gained enormous popularity, especially in light of the decision of the American court.

Fourth group- completely synthetic polyalphaolefin (PAO) oils. These oils are obtained by synthesis petroleum gases butylene and ethylene. This technology makes it possible to obtain an almost ideal composition of hydrocarbon molecules, so oils based on PAO have unique properties - they can withstand enormous loads, high speeds, high temperatures, fuel ingress, without harm to quality, while they are more durable and stable. Hydrocracking oils can come close to PAO in many respects, but they cannot maintain these advanced characteristics over a long period of time.

The main disadvantages of PAO oils are their high price, inability to dissolve additives and non-polarity, i.e. PAO compounds do not remain on the surface. To dissolve additives in PAO oils, a mineral base is added, and to eliminate non-polarity - esters - group 5 oils.

It is often difficult to distinguish PAO oils from hydrocracking, since on both canisters you can see the inscription “Synthetics”. Only for oils sold in Germany, manufacturers are required to indicate on the can “HC – synthesis” for hydrocracking or “synthetic” for PAO oils. There are indirect signs by which you can determine the presence of PAO in oil. This is the flash point - for PAO oils it can be 240 °C and higher, when for hydrocracking it is less than 225 °C. The same applies to the pour point below -45°C for PAO and above – 38° for hydrocracking. But all these are only indirect signs; of course, it is impossible to determine from them with 100% probability that we have a PAO base or hydrocracking.

Fifth group– Esthers, ethers, complex alcohols. For the production of commercial oils, esters are used - synthetic compounds obtained from plant raw materials. Esters are polar, so they remain on metal surfaces and reduce wear. They are used in conjunction with oils of the previous 4th group, obtaining a completely synthetic product that incorporates all the advantages of PAO oils and esters. Having a very stable molecular structure, these oils can achieve specified parameters with a small amount of additives, which is very good for low-ash Low Saps oils, where the amount of additives is strictly regulated, since most additives turn into ash during combustion.

One more group of oils is worth mentioning separately. A technology dating back to the Second World War, when in Germany it was used to make oils for military equipment. This technology is called GTL (Gas to Liquid from gas to liquid). To produce oils using this technology, they use natural gas, but the production technology is different from produced by PJSC oils from gas, the process is more similar to gas liquefaction and deep cleaning, as for hydrocracking oils, therefore GTL oils are classified as Group 3 base oils. In terms of properties and qualities, GTL oils are between oils of groups 3 and 4, representing a reasonable compromise between cost and advantages. In our time, Shell was the first to begin producing oils using this technology, initially at its plant subsidiary company Pennzoi in America and later at its new plant in Qatar. All Shell Ultra oils are produced using this technology.

Motor oil is a mixture of 2 main components - base oil and an additive package.

The use of the terms “Synthetic”, “Semi-synthetic” or “Mineral oil” implies the type of base oil that was used in the production of the lubricant.

The base oil itself is divided into groups:

Group 1 is a base oil obtained by refining oil with reagents, this group contains a lot of sulfur and has a weak viscosity index (dependence of viscosity on temperature). Terminology - "Mineral oil".

Group 2 is oils purified by hydrogen (hydrocracking). Oils of this group contain almost no sulfur; during production, until additives are added, they are an almost transparent liquid, due to which the service life of the lubricant itself is significantly increased, and the reduction of deposits and soot in the engine significantly increases its service life. Terminology - “Mineral oil”.

Group 3 is essentially the same group 2 oils, but with an increased viscosity index. Viscosity index is an indicator that records the change in viscosity depending on temperature. Through additional isomerization processes, oils obtain better indicators of both low- and high-temperature viscosity, which allows you to be confident in lubricant both when starting in the most severe frost, and when operating under maximum loads. Terminology - “Synthetics”.

Group 4 is oils based on polyalphaolefins. Due to the high cost of production and after the discovery of hydrocracking and isomerization technologies (groups 2 and 3 of base oils), which make it possible to produce base oils that are in no way inferior to them in quality, production volumes of this group are gradually decreasing.

Mixing 3 or 4 groups of base oils with 1 or 2 groups of base oils - “Semi-synthetics”. When mixing 3 or 4 groups of base oils with 1 group, the result is “Semi-synthetic” with an increased indicator of sulfur and other elements, which negatively affects the engine life.

Classification of base oils by the American Petroleum Institute (API).

There are 5 groups in total (API 1509, Appendix E). Group IV contains fully synthetic polyalphaolefin base oils. Group V for all other base oils not included in Groups I to IV.

Group 1. Produced from crude oil

Oils are classified as being less than 90% saturated molecules. They have a lot of sulfur > 0.03%. The viscosity range is 80 - 120. The temperature range for these oils is 0°C - 65°C. Group 1 base oils are refined using solvents - this is the simplest and cheapest purification process. This is why oils from this group are the cheapest base oils on the market.

Group 2. Produced from crude oil

Group 2 base oils consist of 90% saturated molecules. They contain sulfur< 0,03 % и индекс вязкости 80 - 120. Углеводородные молекулы этих масел являются насыщенными, поэтому базовые масла группы 2 обладают лучшими антиокислительными свойствами, более прозрачные. Эти масла очень распространены на рынке сегодня, и стоят не намного дороже чем масла группы 1.

Group 3. Produced from crude oil

Group 3 base oils consist of more than 90% chemically stable, hydrogen-rich molecules. Sulfur content< 0,03% а индекс вязкости >120 units These oils are much better refined than Group 2 base oils due to the hydrocracking process. This lengthy process is specifically designed to produce the purest base oil possible from petroleum.

Group 4. Fully synthetic

Group 4 is polyalphaolefin (PAO) base oils. Produced by synthesis. They have a wider operating temperature range than oils from groups 1-3 and are suitable for use in extremely cold conditions and at high temperatures.

Group 5 Fully synthetic

Group 5 base oils are all other base oils, including silicones, phosphate esters, polyalkylene glycol (PAG), polyesters, bio-lubricants, etc. These base oils are used in combination with other base oils to improve lubricant properties. Esters are used as additives to base oils to improve the properties of the base oil. The essential oil blend with polyalphaolefins (PAO) operates at higher temperatures, providing better detergency and longer shelf life.