Description
Lubricant additives continue to be developed to provide improved properties and performance to modern lubricants.
Environmental issues and applications that require lubricants to operate under severe conditions will cause an increase in the use of synthetics. Owing to performance and maintenance reasons, many applications that have historically relied on petroleum-derived lubricants are shifting to synthetic lubricant-based products. Cost issues, on the contrary, tend to shift the market toward group II and III base oils where hydrocarbons can be used. Shifts to renewable and biodegradable fluids are also needed, and this will require a greater need for new effective additives to meet the challenges of formulating for various applications.
There are several indications that the lubricant additive industry will grow and change. Legislation is driving changes to fuel composition and lubricant components, and therefore, future lubricant developments will be constrained compared to what has been done in the past. Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACh) in the European Union (EU) is placing constraints on the incentive to develop new molecules that will serve as additives. The cost of introduction of new proprietary materials will be the burden of the company that develops the new material. For many common additives that are produced by several manufacturers, they will share costs to generate any needed data on the toxicology or biodegradability of the materials.
Continued progress toward new engine oil requirements will require oils to provide improved fuel economy and to have additive chemistry that does not degrade emission system components. This will require a new test to evaluate the volatility of phosphorus in engine oils and to improve the oil properties in terms of protecting the engine. Future developments and requirements will undoubtedly require new, more severe testing protocols.
The market for lubricant additives is expected to grow. China and India, for example, represent highly populated markets that are expected to see growth in infrastructure, and therefore a growth in industrial equipment and number of vehicles. Many U.S. and EU companies continue to develop a presence in Pacifi c and Southeast Asia through either new manufacturing in that region or sales and distribution offi ces.
More advanced technologies will require application of new types of lubricants, containing new additive chemistries required for exploration of space and oceans. Since these remote locations and extremes of environment require low maintenance, they will place new demands on lubricant properties and performance.
Contents
PART 1 Deposit Control Additives
PART 2 Film-Forming Additives
PART 3 Antiwear Additives and Extreme-Pressure Additives
PART 4 Viscosity Control Additives
PART 5 Miscellaneous Additives
PART 6 Applications
PART 7 Trends
PART 8 Methods and Resources