Synthetic oil
A synthetic oil is an oil which is produced in order to achieve a better lubrication performance. For the preparation of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is used, the carbon monoxide and hydrogen, known as synthesis gas, into hydrocarbons. The synthesis gas is produced by partial oxidation for example of carbon. This process was developed in Germany and used extensively during the Second World War, because access to crude oil was limited. In 1944, Germany produced about 6.5 million tons of synthetic oil.
Most lubricants (see a lubricating oil ) are now mineral oils, so blends of fractions of distilled crude oil.
Further constituents of synthetic oils are prepared by chemical synthesis from smaller molecules, such as by polymerization to polyalphaolefins (PAO), polyalkylene glycols (PAG ), or by a condensation reaction to form esters. These three groups represent the economically relevant synthetic oils out its lubricating properties can be set so that you control the composition and molecular weight distributions in the final product.
Synthetic oil was commercially available by the mid-1970s the Mobil lubricants. The first fully synthetic oil was the PAO -based Mobil 1 5W -20 Formula.
Benefits
The industry cites the following advantages for synthetic (engine ) oil:
- Higher purity
- Lower oil consumption
- Lower boundary friction and engine wear
- Lower fuel consumption ( petrol, diesel) due to lower frictional resistance
- Larger distance between oil changes
- No sludge formation
- Synthetic oils, because of their generally better or more specialized additives in older seals do not cause problems unless they are already mechanically heavily worn.
Disadvantages
The main disadvantage is that synthetic oils are significantly more expensive than mineral oils in the making. However, fewer oil changes are necessary.
Some argue that the benefits of synthetic oil only under extreme conditions (motorsport, aviation, etc.) come to fruition, but not in daily use.
Credentials
- Mixture
- Lubricant