Lubricant Technical Performance

TECHNICAL DATA

The LubriGreen^® line of products includes a novel group of biobased esters known as estolides. These biosynthetic oils have superior lubricating properties, a high viscosity index, excellent hydrolytic and oxidative stability, and a low pour point. LubriGreen estolide-based products are available in both low and high viscosity grades (SE7B and SE20B, respectively).

OXIDATIVE STABILITY

Requirements for automotive and industrial lubricants are calling for products with longer life and better performance. The LubriGreen estolide technology offers increased stability due to a greater resistance to oxidation, and responds well to antioxidant additives. As evidenced below, Biosynthetic SE7B performs superior to many lubricants currently on the market, including most petroleum-based products.

ENGINE CLEANLINESS

Weighted Piston Deposits: In a Sequence IIIG engine test performed by Infineum, Biosynthetic SE7 achieved a weighted piston deposit rating of 7.6, among the highest in the industry. This is substantially higher than typical motor oil formulations that generally fall between 4.0 and 5.5. A low rating indicates higher piston deposits on or around the piston rings. When deposits get behind and around piston rings, a lack of compression occurs. This usually results in increased emissions, decreased fuel economy, decreased performance and decrease engine life.

Varnish and Sludge Deposits: The LubriGreen line of products has proven to show reduced varnish and sludge deposits in engines. In a field trial run of taxi cabs in Las Vegas a motor oil formulated with Biosynthetic SE7 as the base oil was compared to a typical petroleum-based mineral oil formulation. Results showed that Biosynthetic SE7 was able to reduce varnish and sludge as shown in the following pictures of the taxi engines used in the trial.

HYDROLYTIC STABILITY

Water inevitably contaminates most mechanical systems, making hydrolytic stability an important physiochemical property for lubricant base fluids. Lubricants unstable in the presence of water degrade to form acidic byproducts, causing corrosion to many alloys used in bearings and other engine components. LubriGreen biosynthetic base stocks have better hydrolytic stability than natural oils and compare well with common mineral oil and synthetic base stocks available in the market.

REDUCED WEAR

The primary function of a lubricant is to reduce friction and wear resulting from contact between adjacent moving surfaces. As compared to mineral oils, the increased polarity of LubriGreen estolide oils allow them to “stick” more effectively to metal surfaces and uniquely orient themselves to offer better protection from wear and scarring. This results in increased performance and efficiency, and extends machine life.

LOW VOLATILITY (Evaporative Loss)

LubriGreen estolide-based oils exhibit low volatility (evaporative loss) when compared to other synthetic and mineral oil base stocks. A low volatility means LubriGreen oils achieve higher flash and fire points, making these oils ideal for applications where operating temperatures are high, and/or fire safety is a concern.

A low evaporative loss also helps to reduce oil consumption in an engine, which can lead to undesirable changes in the properties of an oil formulation. Finally, low volatility helps to reduce phosphorous loss, which has been linked to premature degradation of the emissions system catalyst and, thus, increased emissions.