Using additives for targeted optimization of lubricant performance

It’s amazing just how many different lubricant additives there are: from antioxidants and detergents to dispersants and viscosity modifiers. Every additive serves a specific purpose, whether it is to protect against oxidation and wear, to clean or prevent contamination in the lubrication system, or to improve the viscosity of the medium, to name just a few examples. 

Integrating specific additives into lubricant formulations not only allows for optimal performance; it also helps prolong the life of machines. By precisely tuning additives to the specific requirements of an application, it is possible to minimize unplanned downtimes, reduce maintenance costs, and increase overall efficiency. In this report, we take a look at detergents as a group of their own, and discuss the specific advantages they have to offer. Join us in discovering the world of additives that can make all the difference in the performance and reliability of your lubricant.

The use of detergent additives, such as calcium sulfonate, calcium alkyl phenate, and calcium salicylate, in lubricants plays a crucial role in guaranteeing the optimal performance and long-term reliability of lubricants in engines and machines. These high-quality additives offer a whole host of advantages that go beyond the conventional cleaning mechanisms. 

Cleaning and dispersion with calcium sulfonate:

Calcium sulfonate serves to create high-performance detergents and dispersants that not only prevent deposits and sludge but also dissolve and disperse existing contaminants. These cleaning abilities guarantee smooth, clean running of moving parts, which considerably prolongs the service life of engines.

Outstanding cleaning action with calcium alkyl phenate (CAP)

Calcium alkyl phenate also serves as a powerful detergent that not only prevents deposits but also efficiently dissolves existing deposits. An especially good example of this is the suppression of carbon deposits in the upper ring groove in diesel engine oil. This deep cleaning promotes optimal performance of the engine and minimizes energy loss, thus resulting in better efficiency and fuel economy.

More informations

Corrosion protection and acid neutralization with calcium alkyl salicylate

Calcium alkyl salicylate, in addition to acting as a detergent, offers excellent corrosion protection and neutralizes surface-damaging acids. These dual properties not only protect metallic surfaces from corrosion but also stabilize the pH of the lubricating oil, which guarantees long-lasting optimum lubrication performance. 

Increased stability and protection of components

Detergents in the form of calcium sulfonate, calcium alkyl phenate, and calcium alkyl salicylate not only improve cleaning and dispersion but also help to increase the thermal and oxidation-related stability of the lubricating oil. This increased stability protects the engine components against damaging deposits while also preventing the degradation of the lubricating oil under extreme operating conditions.

High compatibility with various base oils and other additives

The compatibility of detergent additives like calcium sulfonates, calcium alkyl phenates, and calcium alkyl salicylates with typical base oils is a decisive factor in guaranteeing effective lubrication and achieving the desired performance advantages. Calcium sulfonates are generally compatible with a great diversity of base oils, including mineral oils, synthetic oils, and even bio-oils. This flexibility with respect to base lubricants makes them a versatile choice for a wide range of applications. Calcium alkyl phenate additives have good solubility and miscibility with mineral base oils.

They can also be combined successfully with synthetic oils such as polyalphaolefins (PAO) and ester oils. This versatility makes them a suitable choice for many different lubricant formulations. Calcium alkyl salicylate is also highly compatible with various base oils. It has high miscibility with mineral oils and can also be successfully combined with synthetic base oils, including polyalphaolefins and ester oils.

Also worth mentioning here is the great compatibility of sulfurized calcium alkyl phenate with other additives such as the dispersants sulfonate, alkenyl succinimide, and ZDDPs (zinc dialkyl dithiophosphates) as well as other additives from our portfolio.