Well, it appears that Pablo was the only brave soul to put forth an answer, and a correct one at that.
This additive is one of those Multifunctional Additives that can function in more than role.
1. Surfactant
2. Antioxidant
3. Lubricity (FM) enhancer.
The additive in question was indeed a surfactant, a contraction for "surface-active-agent", which spreads the organometallic additives to metal parts so they can better function. However, these surfactants are "water-insoluble" surfactants, as opposed to the types of surfactants used in liquid hand soaps and shampoos.
The family of diphenylamines and other organic amine compounds are not only surfactants, but function as antioxidants as well. The antioxidant role is fullfilled by having the surfactant block-out or inhibit oxygen molecules from getting to the surface of metals. In some cases, tolutriazole esters are used.
Being a superslippery chemical, it also functions to reduce friction on surfaces at high speeds.
This alkylamine is usually supplied in an ester or is esterified in the production process.
Take any liquid hand soap or shampoo and feel how slippery it is. This is due to the alkali surfactants and the esters present. These surfactants (for the soaps) are "water-soluble" types.
Most surfactants function by reducing, but not eliminating, the surface tension of the bulk liquid. This allows additives to "get-through" to, and to spread to the surface, whether the surface be skin or metal.
The result of these slippery surfactants in lubricating fluids is to allow the oil and its additives to better "creep," "climb," and spread to surfaces.
[ July 01, 2003, 03:45 PM: Message edited by: MolaKule ]
