Lubricants & base oils

Lubricants are mixtures of base oils and additives that are used to reduce friction and wear in various applications, particularly in automotive engines and industrial machinery. Base oils can be of mineral or synthetic origin and offer various chemical and physical properties.

Definition of lubricants
Lubricants, also known as lubricants, are products consisting of base oils and specific additives. They are used to reduce friction and wear, for cooling, vibration damping and corrosion protection in various technical applications.

Background / Origin
Lubricants are widely used in the automotive sector, particularly in the form of engine and transmission oils. They are also used in industry in various forms such as hydraulic oils, compressor oils and greases. Global sales of industrial lubricants are lower in volume compared to engine and transmission oils in the transportation sector.

The composition of lubricants typically consists of 70% to 95% base oils, depending on the area of application and requirements. Additives are also mixed in to fulfill various functions, such as preventing foaming and improving the viscosity index.

Base oils can be divided into different categories: mineral base oils, which are obtained from crude oil by conventional refining processes, non-conventional base oils, which are refined by physical-chemical post-treatment such as hydrocracking, and synthetic base oils, which consist of purely defined chemical compounds.

Properties
Lubricants consist of a variety of components and have specific physical, chemical and technical properties.

- Composition: The main component is base oils, which are produced by various processes - mineral, non-conventional or synthetic.
- Physical characteristics: These vary depending on viscosity and application.
- Quality differences: There are standards such as SAE, API, ACEA and OEM that classify the quality of lubricants.
- Chemical characteristics: Synthetic lubricants are particularly resistant to ageing, have a high pressure absorption capacity and reduce sludge formation due to a lower phosphorus content.

Application and importance in the market
Lubricants are essential in the automotive industry and in a wide range of industrial applications. In the automotive sector, they are mainly used as engine and transmission oils, while in industry various lubricants are used for machines and processes.

- Fuels: They play a crucial role in power transmission and heat dissipation.
- Industrial use: Various lubricants are specifically designed for applications such as hydraulic systems, compressors and cooling systems.
- International differences: The market differs in terms of the standards and regulations used.

Differentiation from similar terms
Lubricants differ from other products such as coolants, as their main function is to reduce friction and wear, whereas coolants mainly dissipate heat. The distinction between mineral, synthetic and biological lubricants is also important, as each category has specific properties and is suitable for different applications.

Summary
Lubricants are multifunctional products that are crucial in automotive and industrial applications to minimize friction and wear. They consist of base oils and additives and can be mineral, non-conventional or synthetic. Their quality is regulated by various standards and classification systems. The special properties of synthetic and biological lubricants offer advantages in terms of durability and environmental friendliness, which promotes their use in specific areas.