Undisputed King of Base Oils?
- Thread starter buster
- Start date
Here is a link to ExxonMobil https://www.exxonmobilchemical.com/en/products/synthetic-base-stocks/alkylated-naphthalene
dnewton3
Staff member
Very informative in a manner consumable for most of us non-chemists.
Whatever is in my Fridge compressor for the past 30 years without being changed is pretty amazing 
But ... not I.C engine.
AN have poor Viscosity index ( typ < 100) and relatively high pour point compared to PAO
But a wonderful blending "partner" to get desired properties from a finished lubricant
But ... not I.C engine.
AN have poor Viscosity index ( typ < 100) and relatively high pour point compared to PAO
But a wonderful blending "partner" to get desired properties from a finished lubricant
Tom NJ
$100 Site Donor 2026
A good presentation, but a bit misleading in its comparisons to "esters". Esters are a huge family with a great variation in properties, so any comparisons really should identify the ester he is comparing to, and note that the comparisons do not apply to all esters.
For example, many POEs have better oxidative stability and low coking tendencies at very high temperatures than these ANs, and some have equal hydrolytic stability. Many esters used in lubrication also have better VIs, lubricity, and low temperature properties, and POEs are more versality in custom designing a balance of properties.
Both ANs and esters, of course, have their place in lubricants and either may prove better in a given application or formulation. Making broad statements about broad chemical families, however, doesn't tell a complete story.
For example, many POEs have better oxidative stability and low coking tendencies at very high temperatures than these ANs, and some have equal hydrolytic stability. Many esters used in lubrication also have better VIs, lubricity, and low temperature properties, and POEs are more versality in custom designing a balance of properties.
Both ANs and esters, of course, have their place in lubricants and either may prove better in a given application or formulation. Making broad statements about broad chemical families, however, doesn't tell a complete story.
MolaKule
Staff member
Exactly. Various mixes of base oil types of different viscosities, along with a DI additive package, with possibly some boosting chemistry for increased performance, is what makes for a "formulated" lubricant.
Labeling one base oil as 'King' seems to ignore other important factors in a formulated lubricant.
Tom is the film strenght of the different base oils[ if that is the proper terminology ] a valid concern?
Tom NJ
$100 Site Donor 2026
While polar base oils should have greater film strength due to their attraction to metal surfaces, I expect the additives are a bigger factor.
Amazing how long a lubricant can last when not exposed to oxygen! Keep those condenser coils & fan clean! Mine is ~27 years old, still cooling fine. Most newer refrigeration uses POE these days, it often outlasts the compressor.Whatever is in my Fridge compressor for the past 30 years without being changed is pretty amazing
But ... not I.C engine.
AN have poor Viscosity index ( typ < 100) and relatively high pour point compared to PAO
But a wonderful blending "partner" to get desired properties from a finished lubricant
Hey there, people, C-string (or was it called carbon chemistry?) matters in US oils of today, I've been told. Now, what to make of DVE-PAO https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4442/13/9/404
- just another Noackin' 40 of some sort? Diverse impeccability up the ring area maybe? Or something else inbetween?
What's in your nutshells for guesswork concerning distinction, if you don't mind?Arthur the museal might hasn't covered them among problematic PAO, but so far of course doesn't need to care or dare to compare.
- just another Noackin' 40 of some sort? Diverse impeccability up the ring area maybe? Or something else inbetween?
What's in your nutshells for guesswork concerning distinction, if you don't mind?Arthur the museal might hasn't covered them among problematic PAO, but so far of course doesn't need to care or dare to compare.
MolaKule
Staff member
Distinctions are noted in the paper.
In another, more extensive one could be. But this one and only I saw and linked doesn't actually provide a wealth of descriptive data or helpful hints, as far as I could read; at least not concerning the mentioned direction: What this class could do for leaner, meaner oils, zero tolerance policies from smoking coking propensities to implications for the chelation strategies and whatnot ...you all may be doing these days to the benefit of ever progressing cleanlinesses of every kind.
MolaKule
Staff member
The topic of this thread is alkylated naphthenics. Do you have anything to contribute to this topic?
Agreed.
I'm subbed to him and watched the video long ago when it first came out.
But in defense of our Youtube tribologist, the labeling of "king" was not of his doing. He says AN is his favorite, and I think that's an implicit acknowledgement that the "best" is so context-specific that at defies making any absolute statements. "My personal favorite, of all the synthetic base oils, is Alkylated Napthalene."
There are some applications like gear oils perhaps where AN might be the "king" but as another YTer says, "application dictates chemistry" so you really can't say anything is best for anything but a VERY crisply defined application with all the constraints-- including cost- specified.
Many times the "Best" just comes down to how you prioritize different attributes.
This guy is knowledgeable enough to know you can't just crown one base oil best for all things.
