Additive

A chemical added in small quantities to a base fluid in order to improve specific

properties of the lubricant such as fluid life, lubricity, wear protection, rust
protection, etc.

Alkylbenzene (AB)
A category of base stocks often used in refrigeration compressors. Alkylbenzene
base stocks are wax-free, offer good solubility with additives and have good
miscibility with certain refrigerants in the HVAC/R industry. They also have very low
viscosity indexes and a tendency to swell and soften seals.

Anti-Foam Agent
An additive that causes foam to dissipate more rapidly. It promotes the combination
of small bubbles into large bubbles which burst more rapidly.

Antioxidant
A chemical added in small quantities to a petroleum product to increase its
oxidative resistance in order to prolong its service life.

Anti-Wear Agent
An additive that minimizes wear caused by metal-on-metal contact by forming a
film on the metal surfaces, typically activated by heat and pressure.

Aromatic
Weak hydrocarbon bond that is highly reactive. Aromatics generally are identified
by the presence of one or more benzene rings, or by exhibiting chemical behavior
similar to that of benzene.

Asperity
Microscopic protrusion on a metal surface that typically occurs with normal finishing
processes. Ideally, lubrication should be sufficient to prevent asperities on each
metal surface from protruding through the lubricant film and making contact with
other metal surfaces.

Auto-Ignition Temperature
Minimum temperature at which a combustible fluid will burst into flame without the
assistance of an extraneous ignition source. This temperature is typically several
hundred degrees higher than the flash and fire point.

Base Oil
Base stock or blend used as an inert ingredient in the manufacturing of automotive
and industrial lubricants.

Base Stock
Refined petroleum oil that can be blended with other base stocks and/or
supplemented with additives to make lubricants.
Biodegradable
Capable of being broken down chemically, especially into innocuous products, by
the action of living microorganisms in the environment.

Blistering
The formation of blisters on the surface of a seal face, degrading it and increasing
leak rates and friction, and increasing the potential for the seal shaft to fail.

Boundary Lubrication
A form of lubrication effective in the absence of a full fluid film. Made possible by
the inclusion of certain additives in the lubricating oil that prevent excessive friction
and scoring by forming a film whose strength is greater than that of oil alone. These
additives include oiliness agents, compounded oils, anti-wear agents and extreme-
pressure agents.

Carbon Residue
Coked material formed after lubricating oil has been exposed to high temperatures.
Many consider the type of carbon formed to be of greater significance that the
quantity.

Cavitation
The formation of a pocket (bubble) of air or vapor in a liquid, typically resulting from
the swift movement of a solid object (such as a propeller or piston) through the
liquid. Also, the pitting and wearing away of metal or other solid surfaces caused by
the collapse of air/vapor pockets in surrounding liquid.

Corrosion
The decay and loss of metal caused by a chemical reaction between the metal and
another substance, such as contaminants in a lubricant.

Corrosion Inhibitor
An additive that protects lubricated metal surfaces against chemical attack by water
or other contaminants.

Demulsibility
A lubricants ability to separate from water.

Detergent
An additive which chemically neutralizes acidic contaminants in the oil before they
become insoluble and fall out of the oil to form sludge. Particles are kept finely
divided so that they can remain dispersed throughout the lubricant.

Dielectric Strength
The extent to which a fluid can withstand electric voltage without failing. Dielectric
strength is measured as the minimum voltage at which an electric arc passing
through a fluid causes fluid breakdown. High dielectric strength may indicate that a
fluid is a good electrical insulator, while low dielectric strength might possibly signal
that a fluid is contaminated with water.

Diester
A category of base stocks typically used in reciprocating air compressors and vane
compressors. Diesters mix with most glycols, polyalphaolefins (PAOs) and other
fluids. Diesters offer excellent resistance to oxidation, varnish and carbon for a long
fluid life. Their water separability is inferior to other synthetics, and their low
viscosity indexes diminish cold-weather performance.

Dispersant
An additive that keeps insoluble contaminants dispersed (colloidally suspended) in a
lubricant, preventing the particles from settling and accumulating. Dispersants help
prevent the buildup of sludge, varnish and other deposits.

Dropping Point
The temperature at which grease passes from a semisolid state to a liquid state
under specific test conditions.

Dry Running
A condition in which moving surfaces have no liquid lubricant between them. Dry
running can lead to blistering, also known as the corona effect.

Elastomer
A rubber or rubber-like material used to make seals, hoses and other products. In
the case of oil seals, lubricant selection depends in part on the compatibility
between the lubricant and the elastomer.

Emulsifier
An additive that promotes the mixing of water and oil to form an intimate mixture of
the oil and water (called an emulsion). Emulsions generally have a cloudy or milky
appearance.

Entrainment
Describing a state of an immiscible fluid component. Minute quantities of a fluid
(typically water) can be dissolved or absorbed into the oil, but excess quantities can
be most harmful to equipment due to the entrainment leaving gaps in the
lubricated areas.

Ester
A chemical compound typically formed through the reaction between an acid and an
alcohol.

Extreme-Pressure Agent
An additive that prevents sliding metal surfaces from seizing in extreme-pressure
conditions. It combines chemically with metal surfaces to form a layer of film that
prevents welding and excessive wear of contacting metal parts under shock load.
Film Strength (Lubricity)
The extent to which a lubricant is able to prevent the scuffing or scoring of metal
surfaces.

Fire Point
Lowest temperature at which a combustible fluid will burst into flame in the
presence of an extraneous ignition source. Very little additional heat is required to
reach the fire point from the flash point.

Flash Point
Lowest temperature at which vapor from a sample of a petroleum product or other
combustible fluid will flash in the presence of an ignition source. The flash can be
seen in the form of a small spark over the liquid.

Foaming
A possible reaction of an oil when mixed with air. This entrained air can result in
reduced film strength and a performance reduction.

Foam Inhibitor
An additive which causes foam to dissipate more rapidly. It promotes the
combination of small bubbles into large bubbles which burst more easily.

Food-Grade Formulation
The USDA has established three food-grade designations, and a lubricants
ingredients determine whether or not it meets the requirements for one of these
designations: Fluids meeting the requirements for H1 applications may be used in
food-processing environments where incidental food contact is possible. Fluids
meeting the requirements for H2 applications may be used on equipment and
machine parts in locations where there is no possibility of food contact. Fluids
meeting the requirements for H3 applications are typically edible oils and are often
used to prevent rust on hooks, trolleys and similar equipment.

Four-Ball Tests
Two test procedures on the same principle. The four-ball wear test is used to
determine the relative wear-preventing properties of lubricants operating under
boundary lubrication conditions. The four-ball extreme-pressure test is designed to
evaluate performance under much higher unit loads.

Friction
Resistance to motion on a surface or by a substance as a result of its contact with
another surface or substance. Sliding friction is that which occurs between two solid
bodies, while fluid friction is that which occurs between the molecules of a fluid in
motion. Both types of friction can be wasteful in power and energy, and sliding
friction causes wear.
FZG Wear Test
A test to evaluate the anti-wear characteristics and load-carrying capacities of gear
lubricants.

Grease
A type of lubricant composed of a fluid (typically lubricant oils) thickened with a
material that contributes a degree of plasticity (typically soaps). Just as viscosity is
the basic property of lubricating oil, consistency is the basic property of grease.
Consistency is measured in terms of penetration, tested in terms of tenths of a
millimeter that a standard cone acting under the influence of gravity penetrates the
sample under controlled test conditions. The greater penetration, the softer the
grease.

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)

A systematic approach to identify, evaluate and control food-safety hazards. It
addresses physical, chemical and biological hazards with the goal of preventing
hazards before products enter the food supply. From a lubrication standpoint, an
HACCP plan generally involves conducting a lubrication survey, which is a thorough
examination of potential lubrication-related food-contamination risks in a facility.

Hydrocarbon
A compound of hydrogen and carbon of which petroleum products are typically
examples. Petroleum oils are generally grouped into two parts: Naphthenics possess
a high proportion of unsaturated cyclic molecules; paraffinics possess a low
proportion of unsaturated cyclic molecules.

Hydrodynamic Lubrication
A type of lubrication effected solely by the pumping action developed by the sliding
of one surface over another in contact with an oil. Adhesion to the moving surface
draws the oil into the high-pressure area between the surfaces, and viscosity
retards the tendency to squeeze the oil out. If the pressure developed by this action
is sufficient to completely separate the two surfaces, full-fluid-film lubrication is said
to prevail.

Hydrolytic Stability
The ability of a lubricant to resist chemical decomposition in the presence of water
(a condition known as hydrolysis).

Hydro-Treating
A Gulf-patented process used to make lubricant base stocks. In the process,
lubricant feed stocks are reacted with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst at very
high temperature (800F) and pressure (3200 psig). The process displaces
impurities and unsaturated hydrocarbons.
Hygroscopic
Describes substances, such as certain lubricants, that readily absorb and retain
moisture.

ISO Viscosity Grades

A grading system approved by the International Standards Organization (ISO) to
evaluate the viscosity of a lubricant.

Lubrication
The control of friction and wear between two moving, touching surfaces by placing a
friction-reducing substance between them.

Lubrication Survey
An examination of potential lubrication-related food-contamination risks in a facility,
generally conducted as part of an HACCP (hazard analysis and critical control point)
plan.

Lubricity (Film Strength)

The capacity of a substance for reducing friction.

Metal Deactivator
An additive that reduces the catalytic effect of metals and their salts on the rate of
oxidation.

Mineral Oil
Any oil derived from a mineral source, such as petroleum.

Miscible
Capable of being mixed in any concentration without separation of phases.

Naphthenic
Asphaltic or sour crude oil. It has poor low-temperature fluidity as a result of a low
viscosity index. It has good solvency properties.

Neutralization Number
An indication of the acidity or basicity (alkalinity) of an oil. The neutralization
number is expressed in milligrams of potassium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid
needed to neutralize any acid or base in one gram of oil. The total acid number
(TAN) test uses potassium hydroxide as the neutralizing agent, and the total base
number (TBN) test uses hydrochloric acid as the neutralizing agent.

NLGI Grades
A grading system established by the National Lubricating Grease Institute to
evaluate the consistency or thickness of a grease.

Oxidation
A form of chemical deterioration to which all petroleum products are subject to, and
involves the addition of oxygen atoms resulting in degradation. It is accelerated by
higher temperatures above 160F, with the rate of oxidation doubling by each 20F
increase. With fuels and lubricant oils, oxidation produces sludge, varnish, gum and
acid, all of which are undesirable.

Oxidative Stability
Resistance of a petroleum product to oxidation, thereby increasing its potential
service or storage life. Since the life of many lubricants can be well over a year,
simulations are used to show the time required for a sample to develop a specified
degree of oxidation under accelerated conditions.

Paraffinic
Waxy or sweet crude oil. It is the most common type of base oil in production. It
has a poor pour point due to the tendency to form wax molecule chains. It typically
has excellent oxidation stability and a high viscosity index.

Particulate
A substance made up of a concentration of separate, minute particles.

Phosphate Ester
A category of base stocks with an alkyl subcategory typically used in aircraft
hydraulic fluids, and an aryl subcategory typically used in compressor oils, metal
production/mining hydraulic fluids, steam and gas turbine power generation.
Phosphate esters offer low volatility, good chemical stability and fire
resistance/good fire-extinguishing capabilities. They are sensitive to moisture and
high density, and they have selective seal and paint compatibility. They can be
considered toxic/hazardous in large quantities.

Polyalkylene Glycol (PAG)

A category of base stocks typically used in air and gas compressors, textile
lubricants, automotive air-conditioning compressors and marine oils. They are
available in water-soluble, water-insoluble and food-grade varieties. They have very
high viscosity indexes.

Polyalphaolefin (PAO)
A category of base stocks often used in air compressor lubricants, engine oils,
transmission fluids and gear lubricants. They offer excellent oxidative resistance for
a very long fluid life, very high viscosity indexes for enhanced lubrication at hot and
cold temperatures, excellent seal compatibility and excellent water separation. They
are not compatible with glycols and other specialty chemicals. They have limited
additive solubility.

Polyol Ester (POE)

A category of base stocks typically used in air and refrigeration compressors, jet
aircraft engines, hydraulic systems and high-temperature change lubricants. They
are compatible with most non-silicone lubricants. They offer excellent resistance to
carbon formation and oxidation for a long fluid life. They have excellent low-
temperature fluidity as well as enhanced protection at high temperatures, but they
have a tendency to absorb water.

Pour Point
A widely used low-temperature flow indicator, depicted as 5F above the
temperature to which a normal liquid petroleum product maintains fluidity. It is a
significant factor in cold-weather start-up.

Rust Inhibitor
A lubricant additive for protecting ferrous (iron and steel) components from rusting
caused by water contamination or other harmful materials from oil degradation.
Some rust inhibitors operate similarly to corrosion inhibitors by forming inert films
on metal surfaces. Other rust inhibitors absorb water by incorporating it into a
water-in-oil emulsion so that only oil touches the metal surfaces.

Shear Stress
A unit of frictional force overcome in sliding one layer of fluid along another. This is
typically measured in pounds per square foot, with pounds representing the
frictional force, and square feet representing the area of contact between the sliding
layers.

Silicone
A category of base stocks with three subcategories: Dimethyl silicones resist
moisture and some chemicals and are ideal for low loads and low speeds.
Phyenylmethyl silicones resist moisture, oxidation and corrosion, and they are ideal
for low-to-moderate loads and moderate-to-high speeds. Fluorosilicones, typically
used in harsh chemical and solvent environments, are ideal for moderate-to-high
loads and moderate-to-high speeds.

Sludge
The collective name for contamination in a lubricated system and on parts bathed
by the lubricating oil. This includes decomposition products from the fuel, oil and
particulates from sources external to the system.

Solvency
The ability to dissolve into a solution producing a homogeneous physical mixture.
The degree of solvency varies along with the rate of dissolution depending on the
amount of heat added to the solution.

Specific Gravity
The density of a substance divided by the density of water. Water has a density of 1
gram/cm3. The closer a lubricants specific gravity is to 1, the greater its tendency
to absorb moisture and have poor demulsibility.
Surface Tension
The cohesive force at the surface of a liquid that causes the surface to contract and
assume a spherical form resembling a stretched elastic membrane.

Synthetic Hydrocarbon
A category of base stocks commonly used in engine oils and other automotive
applications, hydraulic fluids, air compressors, pump fluids, and chain and gear
fluids. They offer excellent thermal and oxidative stability, lubricity and water
separation, but they will not mix with glycols.

Thermal Stability
The ability to resist chemical degradation under high-temperature operating
conditions.

Timken Extreme-Pressure Test (Timken OK Load Test)

A test to determine the extreme-pressure capabilities of a lubricant. It measures the
heaviest load a lubricant can sustain without scoring the test block. Results may be
expressed in pounds or kilograms.

Total Acid Number (TAN)

A test using potassium hydroxide as the neutralizing agent to measure the acidity of
an oil. The result is expressed in milligrams of potassium hydroxide needed to
neutralize one gram of oil.

Total Base Number (TBN)

A test using hydrochloric acid as the neutralizing agent to measure the basicity
(alkalinity) of an oil. The result is expressed in milligrams of hydrochloric acid
needed to neutralize one gram of oil.

Tri-ester
A compound containing three ester groups. (An ester is a chemical compound
typically formed through the reaction between an acid and an alcohol.)

Two-Stage Hydrocracking
A refining process that utilizes high-pressure hydrogen to break apart and reform
most or all of the aromatic molecules into preferred chemical structures and strip
virtually all sulfur and nitrogen from the oil, creating a far more stable chemical
structure and a fluid that is 99.9 percent pure.

Vapor Pressure
The measure of a liquids volatility. The higher the pressure at a standard test
temperature, the more volatile the sample, and the more readily it will evaporate.

Varnish
A deposit resulting from oxidation and polymerization of fuels and lubricants. Similar
to, but softer than, lacquer.
Viscosity
Measure of a fluids resistance to flow. This is typically measured as the time
required for a standard quantity of fluid at a certain temperature to flow through a
standard orifice. The higher the value, the more viscous the fluid. Viscosity varies
inversely with temperature, so the measurements are always expressed together.
Tests are typically conducted at 40C and 100C.

Viscosity Dilution
The reduction of lubricant viscosity caused by contamination with water or other
substances.

Viscosity Index
The measure of the rate of change of viscosity with temperature. Heating tends to
make lubricants thinner; cooling makes them thicker. The higher the viscosity index
is on a particular fluid, the less of a change in viscosity there will be over a given
temperature range. In determining the viscosity index, two temperatures of
viscosity are taken, one at 40C and the other at 100C.

Volatility
The property of a liquid that defines its evaporation characteristics. Of two liquids,
the more volatile will boil at a lower temperature and will evaporate faster when
both liquids are at the same temperature. The volatility of petroleum products can
be evaluated by tests for flash point, vapor pressure, distillation and evaporation
rate.