[KixxPedia] Power in Every Drop: The Essential Role of Engine Oil Additives

Have you ever wondered what engine oil is made of? While its name might suggest it’s simply “oil,” there’s more to it than meets the eye. Although base oil makes up a large part, it’s the additional components that make engine oil the essential product it is.

Engine oil consists of two key components: base oil and engine oil additives. Base oil provides necessary lubrication and protection for engines and machinery, while additives play a vital role in enhancing lubricant performance, though they only account for about 10-25% of engine oil composition.

These additives primarily work to enhance existing base oil properties with agents like antioxidants; suppress undesirable base oil traits with additives such as pour-point depressants; and introduce new qualities with agents like emulsifiers. In this article, we’ll examine the various types of additives and their functions.

 

Essential Additives and Their Roles

1. Detergents and Dispersants

The combustion process produces deposits like soot and carbon, as well as other byproducts, including unburned fuel, carbon monoxide, SOx, NOx, organic peroxides and other pollutants. These substances circulate in the engine, accumulating on parts and solidifying, which leads to wear and may even form a sludge that clogs pipes and filters, disrupting oil flow.

Detergents and dispersants are key additives for preventing this buildup. Detergents use metal ions to surround and separate contaminants, preventing them from sticking to engine components. Dispersants, in turn, surround the particles that have been separated by detergents, creating clusters and dispersing them  throughout the oil to stop them from settling on parts. Together, they keep engines clean and protected.

 

2. Anti-Wear Agents and Extreme Pressure (EP) Additives

Anti-wear additives and EP agents comprise a group of chemical additives that protect metal surfaces during boundary lubrication by forming a protective film. During operation, engine components endure friction that generates heat and accelerates wear. Anti-wear agents, such as zinc dialkyl dithiophosphates (ZDDP), form a layer on metal surfaces to reduce friction, offering protection at high temperatures and pressures.

In contrast, EP additives, typically sulfur-based, provide an additional layer of protection under extreme force by creating a barrier to prevent metal parts from fusing under high-pressure conditions.

 

3. Antioxidants

Prolonged exposure to high engine temperatures can cause engine oil to undergo thermal oxidation, producing sludge, varnish and acids that can damage components. Antioxidants, or oxidation inhibitors, prevent or slow down oxidation, extending oil life and protecting engine parts from corrosion and buildup.

 

4. Viscosity Index (VI) Improvers

Viscosity is one of the most important elements of engine oil. As such, the viscosity of engine oil must remain stable to ensure adequate lubrication across a range of temperatures. VI improvers help maintain viscosity, preventing the oil from thinning at high temperatures, which is essential for providing adequate lubrication and protecting engine parts.

 

5. Emulsifiers

External air can introduce moisture into an engine. When moisture accumulates, it can freeze and damage the engine. Emulsifiers address this by dispersing water molecules evenly throughout the oil, preventing moisture buildup.

 

6. Anti-Foaming Agents

As engine oil circulates at high speeds, turbulence can generate foam, the accumulation of which can disrupt lubrication, affecting the oil’s ability to cool down engine parts. Anti-foaming agents break down bubbles and remove the foam, helping to maintain optimal oil performance.

 

7. Pour Point Depressants

At low temperatures, oil thickens, preventing proper circulation. Pour point depressants work to lower the oil’s pour point, enabling smooth flow even in cold temperatures by modifying wax crystals to prevent them from forming a solid structure. This property ensures the engine remains well-lubricated and runs reliably in cold climates.

 

8. Rust and Corrosion Inhibitors

Engine parts are prone to rust and corrosion, especially in high moisture or acidic conditions. Rust and corrosion inhibitors neutralize corrosive agents and form a protective film on metal surfaces to repel moisture, reducing internal damage. These inhibitors are crucial for both engine longevity and performance.

 

The formulation of additives is a complex science, with the precise composition of the base oil and additives crucial to overall lubricant performance. Simply combining additives doesn’t guarantee enhanced performance; they must be precisely blended to maximize their effectiveness and synergy with base oils, with the exact composition tailored to different lubricants, such as hydraulic fluid or gear oils.

As technology advances, engine oils and their additives are continually refined, with scientists, engineers and chemists working tirelessly to develop the optimal formulations.

 

Small Additives, Big Impact on Performance

Additives are truly indispensable when it comes to the effectiveness of lubricants and engine oils. Though they make up only a small part of the total composition, additives are essential for ensuring lubricants perform as needed to protect engine components and equipment, keeping machinery and operations running efficiently.

As South Korea’s leading lubricant brand, Kixx is committed to advancing lubricant technology through continuous research and development. By carefully selecting and blending premium additives with high-quality base oils, Kixx continues to supply reliable, high-performance lubricants that meet the diverse needs of customers.