Which oil is better: synthetic or hydrocracking? Hydrocracking motor oil Hydrocracking or synthetic, which is better?
Why choose hydrocracking oils?
The range of products on the lubricants market is quite large. In addition to mineral, synthetic and semi-synthetic fluids, which differ in viscosity, the buyer is also offered transmission products. One of the new products among such products is hydrocracking oils. The article is a brief overview of the properties of such liquids, their advantages and differences from other products.
What is hydrocracked motor oil
Hydrocracking lubricants differ from traditional (mineral and synthetic) lubricants, primarily in terms of manufacturing technology. The former have a fundamentally different way of producing the base than other liquids.
This technology originated in the United States in the mid-70s. Then the base part of the lubricant was obtained from a mineral base using special chemical treatment and purification of the resulting composition. The resulting substance is close in properties to a synthetic substrate.
Thus, hydrocracking can be described as a special way of influencing the natural petroleum base of the oil. As a result of this processing method, its molecular structure changes radically. In terms of performance and other characteristics, hydrocracking oils are much closer to synthetic than to mineral ones.
At the same time, the base of such a product, being much purer than mineral and having better properties compared to it, is still lower in quality than synthetic lubricants. But oil synthesis is much more expensive than hydrocracking the oil substrate. This is the main advantage of the latter.
Hydrocracking oils are superior in quality to mineral oils. In addition, they can replace synthetics in terms of basic characteristics, while being much cheaper.
If we evaluate the properties of various lubricants from the point of view of an ordinary consumer, then hydrocracking oils are the optimal solution for him in terms of combining quality and price. This product meets the high standards set by global car manufacturers and is relatively inexpensive.
Hydrocracking oils are supplied to the market by almost every major company involved in the production of fuels and lubricants. That is, the market niche for such products is quite wide.
What is the difference between hydrocracking oil and regular oil?
As already mentioned, hydrocracking oil is produced in a different way than synthetic oil. However, in molecular structure they are almost identical. High-quality synthetic engine oil, which is highly resistant to loads, needs to be replaced no more often than after 15 thousand kilometers (some brands are even more durable and can withstand 20-30 thousand kilometers). Hydrocracking lubricant becomes unusable after 10 thousand km and needs to be changed. And since the quality of gasoline at domestic gas stations is quite questionable, such oil needs to be replaced even more often - once every 7-8 thousand km.
Thus, the main disadvantage of hydrocracking lubricants is their relatively short service life. But the main advantage of such products is their low price. This is possible thanks to a simplified production method. Low cost means a lower final price per canister of oil.
Why hydrocracking oil is often called synthetic
Lubricant manufacturers themselves are not very willing to tell the consumer what basic basis their products have, trying not to focus their attention on this. The American Petroleum Institute (API) even equates true synthetic motor oils to hydrocrackers.
This gives manufacturers the opportunity to indicate the origin of the lubricant base differently on packaging. Some report that the product was obtained through HC synthesis (Hydro Craking Synthese Technology). And others are limited to a note that the oil is synthetic, or that synthesis technologies were used in its production.
Some companies producing motor lubricants do not provide any information on the packaging of their products about what their base is. The situation has developed that even products from the top best synthetic or hydrocracking oils are not so easy to recognize: in the catalogs of a number of companies they do not have any special designations indicating the origin of the substrate of these products.
A modern buyer chooses a product based on its price and taking into account all the tolerances and classifications of internal combustion engine manufacturers. Therefore, the base of the lubricant is not indicated directly and can only be determined by indirect signs.
For example, mineral-based oils will be the cheapest among similar products. On the contrary, real synthetic lubricants will occupy the highest price positions. This division is due to the cost of production of various products. As a rule, semi-synthetics are more expensive than mineral lubricants, and hydrocracking oil is even more expensive (although not comparable in price to fully synthetic).
The viscosity of a product also says a lot about the origin of its base. In practice, the most liquid are synthetic lubricants - 0W10 and 0W20. Such popular brands as 5W30 and 5W40 have a hydrocracking base. 10W40 – usually mineral water or semi-synthetic. And 15W50 is mineral oil.
Thus, hydrocracking technology makes it possible to obtain a material that is in many ways similar to synthetic lubricants. Therefore, the positioning of these oils in the same category is not without reason.
When choosing a lubricant for a car, proceed from which product will be suitable specifically for your equipment, purposes and driving style. In general, there is not much difference whether it is a mineral liquid or a hydrocracking one. The main thing is the tolerances of the manufacturer of this product.
The base base affects the service life of the oil and the ease of operation of the engine. The required frequency of lubricant changes in the engine also depends on it. As already mentioned, inexpensive mineral-based oils made from natural petroleum products need to be changed most often. They also have other disadvantages: such a lubricant can thicken in severe frosts in winter. And under heavy loads on the internal combustion engine, it does not protect parts well, etc.
It is worth mentioning that the stated terms for replacing the lubricant are only approximate guidelines for the car enthusiast, and the actual period may be much shorter. Consider the influence of factors such as: poor quality fuel, frequent trips on dusty roads, stop-start driving (typical of metropolitan areas with heavy traffic). This causes the engine oil to become dirty much faster. Even if it does not “grow old”, it still needs to be changed. Questionable fuel quality significantly reduces the life of any lubricants, regardless of the origin of their base.
Why is it worth buying hydrocracking oils?
All types of oils have their own characteristic pros and cons. Hydrocracking lubricants have the following advantages:
high viscosity values;
greater resistance to oxidizing agents;
high degree of solubility of additives;
resistance to shear deformation that occurs under strong thermal and mechanical influences;
ensuring high wear resistance of engine parts;
ability not to form deposits;
low friction coefficient;
safety for rubber parts;
ability to work under overload conditions.
Hydrocracking is a fairly complex and deep technology for processing substances, consisting of several parallel chemical reactions.
Experts speak positively about this method of producing lubricants also because it is environmentally friendly. It does not use toxic solvents, and hydrocracking products do not pose a risk to the environment.
Is it possible to mix synthetic and hydrocracked oil?
A new car that has just come off the assembly line usually does not create any problems for its owner. It is enough to change the lubricant in accordance with the planned schedule, purchasing the required oil composition from official dealers. The difficulties and tricks associated with choosing and replacing fluid usually do not apply to new cars. But with the end of the warranty period and as the mileage increases, the situation changes and not for the better.
Of course, you can continue to fill in the same lubricant out of habit. However, the range of products on the market is so wide, and the advertising is so persistent, that most car enthusiasts are inclined to experiment, looking for cheaper or, conversely, advanced oil formulations.
As a rule, by the end of the warranty period (2–4 years without mileage restrictions), any car will have covered about 100 thousand km. Reaching this milestone means it's time to switch to an oil with a different high-temperature viscosity. First fill in lubricant with a rating of 5W-30. And after 100 thousand kilometers, it is advisable to start using a product with a higher viscosity: 5W-40 or 10W-40. Provided that such indicators are allowed for a given car model, which is reflected in the technical documentation for it.
Even if the engine is thoroughly flushed and the used oil is completely drained, it remains there in an amount of at least half a liter. In addition, flushing fluid settles on the engine parts, which has a negative effect on them. Therefore, in any case, old, used oil will be mixed with new oil; this cannot be avoided.
Sometimes the lubricant level drops to critical levels. This is possible as a result of severe waste, caused by a low-quality composition. Or due to a leak in the lubrication system. In such situations, you have to add oil. And it is not always possible to have on hand the lubricant of the viscosity and manufacturer that is usually used to fill this car. In such cases, drivers also have to mix different motor fluids.
Purely synthetic lubricants include additives that are ideally compatible with their base oil base. Semi-synthetic products are so called because they consist of approximately 70% mineral substrate. This means that other additive packages are compatible with them (even if we are talking about oil formulations of the same brand). Mixing these lubricants is a certain risk, and driving with this mixture for a long time is undesirable. Not to mention combining oils from different manufacturers.
Additives are also incompatible with each other. Mineral lubricants with a low viscosity index require a large volume of additives to stabilize it. And for synthetics such additions are absolutely not required. Because its base itself is quite viscous without any auxiliary modifiers.
Synthetic motor oils require far fewer depressant additives to lower the pour point. With mineral compounds the situation is the opposite. What happens if you mix these oil products? The result will be quite unpleasant: the mixture will become much less fluid and will not reach all engine parts. And this is already fraught with accelerated wear and tear of the machine.
The safest option for mixing oils is to add synthetics to semi-synthetics. If both lubricants are made by the same brand, it is completely safe. Synthetic oil, being of higher quality and fluidity, will not change its viscosity.
But mixing lubricants from different brands, even with similar basic compositions, is not the best idea. This can only be done in case of emergency (if you need to get to your home or the nearest car service center and there are no other oils available). After adding lubricant from another manufacturer to the base composition, you need to drain it as soon as possible. Then thoroughly rinse the engine and fill it with a more suitable oil. Otherwise, the motor mechanism may become coked due to incompatibility of additives. But that’s not all: you will need to change the oil again after 5 thousand kilometers (this is necessary to rid the engine of the remnants of the old mixture).
How to distinguish hydrocracked motor oil from synthetic
If you set out to purchase hydrocracking oil, then look for the “HC-Synthese” mark on the product packaging.
Of course, it is more profitable for lubricant manufacturers to pass it off as pure synthetics, so they try not to advertise the product’s production technology. Moreover, formally they are right and do not violate the Law on the Protection of Consumer Rights. Therefore, if you want to choose a synthetic product for your car, you will have to rely on the honesty of sellers or immediately focus on the most expensive products: not a single large car store with a good reputation will raise prices for hydrocracked oils to the level of synthetic ones.
It is easier to obtain truthful information about lubricants produced in the European Union. The labels of hydrocracking products will necessarily contain the “HC” marking. 100% synthetics are also marked accordingly. But mineral-based oils are not labeled in any special way.
With products from Japan and Korea, everything is more complicated: hydrocracking there is equated with synthetics. On packaging of Asian lubricating fluids you can see markings of only three types: mineral oil, synthetic, semi-synthetic. Therefore, the only reliable criterion remains price.
Russian manufacturers of lubricants also do not believe that it is impossible to produce absolute synthetics from liquid petroleum products. And if mineral and semi-synthetic products are labeled accordingly, then products produced using synthesis and hydrocracking technologies fall into the same category.
Keep in mind that at home, as well as in the garage, it is impossible to determine the base base of motor oil. This is not done experimentally. The product needs to be analyzed in a professional chemical laboratory.
The optimal operating time for engine oil depends on many factors. This includes the duration of trips, driving style, which determines the load on the engine, and the current condition of the engine itself. Of course, the quality of the oil plays an important role.
Regular quality checks of the product poured into the engine will allow you to detect problems in time and replace the lubricant, avoiding serious problems with the car and saving your finances. You should not continue to use oil that has become unusable. However, replacing it too often is also not the most reasonable option. But driving with a bad lubricant is still dangerous: if it leads to a breakdown, you will have to fork out for serious repairs.
How to determine the condition of motor oil by its appearance?
If the product has acquired a dark color, this means that it has become contaminated with combustion products. However, despite the black color, the lubricant can still do a fairly good job of cleaning the engine.
The color of the oil dipstick does not yet characterize the current state of the fluid in the engine.
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We often hear around that car owners do not fully understand what hydrocracking oil is. Journalists from our site decided to familiarize themselves in detail with its production technology and will tell us all the secrets that they managed to discover. In this material we will consider some issues related to such a group of car engine oil as hydrocracking. Why about him? Quite often we hear from car enthusiasts that they do not fully understand its features. You can almost always hear various debates on this topic, but few people know the specific answer to the question. That is why our journalists decided to figure out what hydrocracking motor oil is and when it is best to use it.
A large number of car owners claim that this type of oil belongs to the semi-synthetic group. Others, having carefully looked at the description of the product, will read that they are looking at mineral raw materials that were produced by a plant using synthetic technologies. At the same time, on the forums of car enthusiasts, information comes across that this oil better protects engine elements and is much cheaper than synthetic oils. Let's look at this in more detail.
So, in order to understand this oil, you need to understand hydrocracking technology. Hydrocracking is a special processing of petroleum feedstocks that is used to produce base oils with a significant viscosity index. The method is based on hydrocatalytic oil refining. Due to this, “bad” fractions are removed by converting them into carbohydrates. Thus, the result is an oil similar in properties to synthetic, but much cheaper.
Respectively hydrocracking oil is a base oil that is produced by a special method (hydrocracking) and has high performance characteristics at low production costs.
The method for producing such oil is in many ways similar to the production of mineral oil, but during the manufacturing process its molecular structure completely changes. Oil undergoes significant processing and removal of undesirable components, and we all know that “black gold” contains a large number of various impurities that negatively affect the quality of the final product.
Production of hydrocracking oils
So, when producing such oil, the technology for producing mineral oil is taken as the basic technology. The oil undergoes special atmospheric distillation. The heavy fractions that remain serve as raw materials for hydrocracking oil.
Once mineral oil is obtained, it undergoes three stages of purification:
1. Dewaxing- the process of chemical removal of harmful paraffins. Their negative effect is to increase the pour point of engine oil.
2. Hydrotreating- the effect of hydrogen on oil at high temperature and high pressure. As a result of this procedure, the oil's resistance to oxidative processes increases.
3. Directly hydrocracking- removes sulfur and nitrogen from raw materials and serves to create a base oil with high performance.
Having gone through all these phases, the output of production is an excellent oil with good performance characteristics.
Hydrocracking oil reviews
HC-synthetics is a special type of oil, which is represented by hydrocracking technology. We have figured out that this is a type of production of the basic oil base. In reality, if you evaluate the situation from the perspective of a common man in the street, this oil is better than mineral oil, but worse than synthetic oil. Of course, its undeniable advantage; it's value for money.
Before you pour such oil into the engine, you need to understand that it must meet the characteristics declared by the car manufacturer. If such information is available in the car’s passport, then you can safely use hydrocracking oil.
In principle, many car owners on forums share information that this oil is quite competitive and more than fulfills all the functions assigned to it. Moreover, as you understand, it costs significantly less than synthetics. In other words, hydrocrack oil can be added, but before doing so, it is important to read the instructions of the machine manufacturer. Here you need to pay attention to the viscosity and groups of oils.
There is a lot of controversy, talk and discussion around hydrocracking oils. Consumers cannot come to a consensus. They were divided into completely opposite ones. Some consider them the best modern development, while others respond negatively due to the peculiarities of production. Some people think that they are unreasonably expensive, while opponents focus on the fact that such compounds are much cheaper than synthetic oils with similar characteristics. To understand the essence of hydrocracking oils and what they are, you should study this issue in more detail. Having understood the production technology, technical characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of HA oils, everyone will be able to draw certain conclusions for themselves.
Hydrocracked motor oil is a refined product.
What did hydrocracking lead to?
Typically, manufacturers obtain purified motor oil as a result of processing petroleum products. Considering its properties and characteristics, the lubricant is superior to traditional mineral fluid. But it doesn’t quite reach the level of synthetic compounds. This is when compared with synthetics of the highest level, manufactured according to all the rules and using modern technologies. In parallel, hydrocracking is considered a cheaper technology to implement. Again, when compared with the manufacture of synthetic engine lubricants. HA technology can have varying degrees of effectiveness. First, let's look at the potential possibilities of hydrocracking, that is, the theory. If we take the developed technology for the synthesis of petroleum products as a basis, use production capacities wisely and have the most modern equipment, the output will be an oil that is absolutely not inferior to synthetics.
But the theory remains a theory for now. In reality, this approach will be too expensive. As a result, the process of producing HA oils will turn out to be expensive, and the finished products will be sold at a price no lower than synthetics. But the essence of GC is to make oil that is close to synthetic, but at a much lower price. From here we get the reality of what is happening with hydrocracking technology. The approach is less thorough, due to which it is possible to create oils that are significantly superior to mineral ones, but still cannot be called an analogue of high-quality synthetics.
The technology was developed back in the last century, around the 70s. Then only the first prerequisites for creating something significant and in demand appeared. Now HA is used by almost every manufacturer. This is due to three factors:
- availability of production;
- high demand;
- good quality oil.
Whether to use hydrocracking oil or not depends not only on the desire of the car owner, but also on the requirements of his car’s engine itself for the quality and characteristics of the oil. Now hydrocracking products are treated with special attention. These are oils that can replace expensive synthetic compounds, thereby helping motorists save on car maintenance without compromising quality.
Features of production technology
Now we need to understand more specifically what kind of technology this is and what is its peculiarity. Here we will look at hydrocracking oil from the perspective of its manufacture. Hydrocracking (HC) is a modern method of producing motor oils, in which the properties of base mineral oil are purified and improved. This makes it possible to bring their characteristics closer to synthetics. In the production of HA oils, oil is used, as is the case with classic ones. Then special chemical processes are used to change the molecular structure almost completely. Therefore, almost nothing remains of the basic properties and characteristics relevant for mineral water. Such deep purification and synthesis are needed to reduce the amount of unnecessary impurities that are present in the base oil. The result of processing is an oil component that cannot be characterized as mineral, synthetic or semi-synthetic. Therefore, civil codes are usually classified as a separate category.
There are three stages of purification in total, due to which impurities are removed and the final molecular structure of the liquid is created:
- Processing begins with dewaxing. From the title you already understand that at this stage. They help increase the pour point of lubricating motor oil. It is not possible to get rid of all impurities using this technology alone. Therefore, further manipulations are required.
- The second stage is hydrotreating. When hydrocarbons are saturated with hydrogen, a process of changing their structure occurs. This is called hydrogenation. As a result, the oil’s resistance to oxidative processes increases.
- Production ends with hydrocracking. Several different reactions occur during processing. With their help, nitrogen and sulfur compounds are removed, rings are split, bonds are saturated and paraffin chains are broken.
Next, the appropriate oils are added to the HA oil composition. With their help, a final list of properties, capabilities and characteristics of the lubricant is created. The more technologically advanced and complex the additives, the higher the price tag for hydrocracking rises. Therefore, such liquids can be quite expensive. Although, again, compared to synthetics, HA will always be cheaper, all other properties being equal. If we compare the process with traditional synthesis, which is relevant in the production of synthetic motor oils, hydrocracking requires less technological and time costs. This predetermines a lower cost of finished products. You now understand more precisely what hydrocracking motor oil is and what the essence of its production is.
Classification problem
So far, experts have not fully decided how to correctly classify such oils and where to place them. Representatives of the API (American Petroleum Institute) currently classify hydrocracking compounds as group 3. This includes top quality base lubricants that are petroleum based. In many countries they are not called completely synthetic. This is explained by the fact that they do not meet the main requirement of synthetics, that is, they do not consist of 100% artificial components. At the same time, in terms of quality, HA oils cannot be compared with mineral lubricants. They surpass them many times over. In comparison with PAO oils, that is, synthetic fluids, HAs are slightly inferior and only according to some criteria. Therefore, it is now relevant to use the new term HC-synthetics, that is, hydrocracking synthetic oils. The most important thing is that the name does not change the essence. Therefore, you can call these lubricants whatever you like.
How to distinguish from synthetic oils
When a car owner comes to a store that sells motor lubricants in order to purchase hydrocracking oil, a certain difficulty arises in finding it. After all, it is not always possible to immediately identify this type of material. Hydrocracking motor oil can be distinguished by the most objective sign, that is, by the corresponding inscription on the packaging. Some manufacturers indicate what type of lubricant it is by applying the designation HC-synthetic. But you shouldn’t expect that everyone will write this. Therefore, when there is no inscription on the label, look for indirect signs. There are several of them. Start with cost. Considering the technological features of HA oils, they end up being noticeably cheaper than synthetics, but also several times more expensive than mineral oils.
Not all manufacturers of motor lubricants want to introduce confusion into the designations and indices of their oils, so they simply put the category of synthetic oil on the label. But with some peculiarities. They do not indicate that it is 100% synthetic (Fully Synth), but make more vague designations. Therefore, if you see an inscription about synthetic technology used in the manufacture of lubricants, then this is most likely GC. Please note that currently the technology of hydrocracking production is strictly classified by each manufacturer. Therefore, no one will display detailed information on labels.
Technical specifications
From all that has been said above, we can draw an objective conclusion, according to which HA oils are an intermediate solution between mineral and synthetic lubricants. Therefore, relevant questions arise regarding the technical characteristics of the compositions. Although HAs are very close to synthetic oils, they do not have the same outstanding parameters when compared to the highest quality 100% synthetics. But there are also not the most outstanding synthetic oils available on the market, which GC will significantly outperform. This is already a relative concept. In parallel, hydrocracking has obvious advantages in terms of high temperature properties and antioxidant capabilities. Such compositions guarantee optimal viscosity, which can be used in winter, summer, throughout the season in conditions of extreme heat and extreme frost.
It is important to note the objectively weak point characteristic of hydrocracking. Despite the use of advanced technologies for processing the mineral base, it is impossible to completely clean mineral water in our time. Therefore, GC is in demand due to the availability of production technology. This allows us to make lubricants optimal in terms of price-quality ratio. For relatively little money, you buy high-quality motor oil that remains resistant to chemical attack, temperature changes, oxidation and corrosion. Take a synthetic fluid with similar properties as an analogue, and you will see how much more affordable hydrocracking oil is in terms of cost.
Advantages and disadvantages
Like all other solutions, hydrocracking oils have their own objective advantages and disadvantages. It is impossible to say that they are better than others. Just as one cannot assert the total superiority of synthetics over hydrocracking. Everything is relative and can only be known through comparison. In terms of their characteristics, both types of compositions are very similar. That’s why the manufacturers of motor fluids themselves do not hesitate to call them the same. But let's look at everything in more detail. Yes, the characteristics and properties are at a high level. At the same time, behind the rather complex concept of hydrocracking is a mineral base processed using a special technology. This is not considered a disadvantage. Rather, the main advantage, since this results in an affordable price. Take synthetic fluids for comparison. Their production requires very complex synthesis technology. And since it is complex, it is also expensive. In terms of cost, hydrocracking objectively wins.
Other positive aspects of HA oils include:
- excellent viscosity indicators and the possibility of their use in various operating conditions;
- hydrocracking resistance to deposit formation;
- minimal aggressive impact on the oil seals and seals used in the engine design;
- resistance to oxidation processes and corrosion;
- the ability to effectively reduce friction between rubbing surfaces;
- inclusion of a large number of additives;
- a wide range of;
- the possibility of using HA on modern engines that are demanding.
These advantages have been carefully studied and tested, which made it possible to prove the validity of such statements. On the negative side, hydrocracking oils have some disadvantages.
The main disadvantages are:
- predisposition to a faster evaporation process;
- shorter life cycle than synthetics (HA begins to age faster);
- the need to change lubricant more often;
- the composition is not adapted to very harsh operating conditions.
If we take all the stated advantages of using hydrocracking oils, compare them with the disadvantages and the price tag, then the disadvantages look quite tolerable. You can put up with them, because GCs behave excellently in their environment. Unless you are involved in auto racing or winter temperatures in your area drop to extremely low levels, these motor lubricants will perform at their best. Don't forget that there are different manufacturers. Some create civil companies according to all the canons and rules, using the most advanced technologies and modern equipment. Others cannot afford this. This is where a significant difference arises between hydrocracking products of different brands. Choose only the best. They are the closest to synthetic oils.
When choosing oil for your engine, and considering the option of purchasing a HA composition, you should pay attention to several main points.
- Manufacturer of automobiles and engines. The owner's manual provides specific recommendations for choosing engine oil. Not all auto companies include HA lubricants among their recommended lubricants, since they are not able to fully satisfy the needs of the power unit. It’s not worth taking risks and experimenting by replacing synthetics with hydrocracking in such situations.
- Financial side. Yes, synthetics are noticeably more expensive than HA, but sometimes these are justified costs. If you have the choice between two technologies, as confirmed by the automaker, then there is no point in spending more money.
- Oil producers. As mentioned earlier, HA or HC oils do not always have decent characteristics. It depends on the technology used, equipment and technical base of the company. Therefore, carefully study the manufacturer, read about the additives used in HA and compare them with the requirements of your car manufacturer.
The technology, although not entirely new, is only now beginning to fully develop. It is possible that in the future hydrocracking will be actively developed, improved and modernized. Currently, thanks to the GK, we have an excellent opportunity to save on consumables without compromising the quality, reliability and durability of the engine. The only question is whether the automaker allows the use of such oils on its engines.
Hydrocracking
The hydrocracking process has been known relatively recently, only since the mid-sixties of the last century. Although it should be noted that practical application was established only in the mid-seventies in the United States of America.
Hydrocracking— hydrocatalytic processing of raw materials to produce base oils with a high viscosity index (100 and above), low content of sulfur and aromatic hydrocarbons. Oils of the required quality are obtained not by removing undesirable components from raw materials (as is the case with purification with selective solvents, adsorption purification and hydrotreating), but by converting them into hydrocarbons of the required structure due to the reactions of hydrogenation, cracking, isomerization and hydrogenolysis (sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen are removed ), which affects the stability of the resulting oils. Hydrocracking produces high-quality bases for a wide range of commercial lubricating oils: hydraulic, transformer, motor, energy, industrial, etc. In terms of their physical and chemical properties, HA oils are superior to “classical” mineral oils.
Hydrocracking synthetics, semi-synthetics or mineral water?
Let's try to figure it out. It would be more correct, after all, to classify HC oils as a special class of oils, although motor oil manufacturers, in order not to frighten motorists with complex and unusual terminology, and also taking advantage of the fact that the American Petroleum Institute has recognized hydrocracking oils as synthetic, write on the packaging something like “ synthetic technologies" etc. Some manufacturers do not write on their packaging the method of producing the base at all, and in essence, HA oils are an improved mineral water.
Semi-synthetic a is, by definition, a mixture of mineral and synthetic base oils. The synthetic base is usually poly-alpha-olefins (PAO) or esters, or a mixture of them. In GC oils, mineral oil is replaced with cracked oil. Mineral base is the cheapest. This is a product of direct distillation of oil, consisting of molecules of different lengths (the length of hydrocarbon chains is 20...35 atoms) and different structures.
Because of this heterogeneity:
- instability of viscosity-temperature properties
- high volatility
- low oxidation resistance.
Mineral base- the most common motor oil in the world. PAO is the basis; these are hydrocarbons with a chain length of about 10...12 atoms. It is obtained by polymerization (connection) of short hydrocarbon chains - monomers of 3...5 atoms. The raw materials for this are usually gasoline molecules or petroleum gases - butylene and ethylene. Advantages of PAO: do not harden down to -60C, high resistance to temperature changes, aging, low volatility. This oil base is 4.5 times more expensive than a mineral one. Esters are esters - products of neutralization of carboxylic acids with alcohols. The raw materials for production are vegetable oils, such as rapeseed or even coconut. Esters have a number of advantages over all other known bases. Firstly, ester molecules are polar, that is, the electric charge is distributed in them so that the molecule itself “sticks” to the metal. Secondly, the viscosity of esters can be set at the stage of base production: the heavier alcohols are used, the greater the viscosity.
The disadvantages of traditional synthetic components are not limited to high prices. The fact is that both PAO and esters dissolve additives in them less easily, without which it is impossible to produce modern motor oil. As for esters, they are distinguished by increased sensitivity to the ingress of water and, especially, water vapor. A very successful attempt to combine the high qualities of synthetics with the non-aggressiveness of mineral water and, most importantly, at an affordable price, was the technology of hydrocracking, or “HC-synthesis”.
Raw materials for GC oils, unlike PAO, in not short hydrocarbon molecules- monomers, but heavy, long hydrocarbon chains of 20...35 atoms or more. Long chains are broken (cracking) into shorter “oil” chains with a homogeneous structure, the breaks occur in new shortened molecules are saturated with hydrogen(hydrogenation). Hence the name - “hydrocracking”. As a result of hydrocracking, a base oil with very high viscosity-temperature characteristics is obtained - their viscosity index (VI) reaches 130 - 150 units. For comparison, the VI of the best mineral bases is no more than 100. In addition, NS oils do not corrode seals, are less “afraid” of water ingress, and are much better compatible with additives than PAOs and esters. And the most important thing! Hydrocracking base costs only 2 times more than mineral base, i.e. 2.5 times cheaper than PAO and 3-5 times cheaper than esters. Therefore, the hydrocracking base has become widely used in the production of synthetics and semi-synthetics because it is better than mineral and cheaper than PJSC.
Also, another interesting technology appeared not so long ago: GTL Pure Plus from Shell, simply put, this is the synthesis of the molecules we need with the properties we need from natural gas. It has little in common with the production of “regular oils” and today it can be called completely synthetic.
The fact is that GTL oils have all the advantages of PAO and at the same time do not have their disadvantages, including prices. And accordingly, their performance characteristics are higher than those of oils based on hydrocracking, at least because semi-synthetics are not made from them and a mineral base is not added. As for the price, it is at the level of “synthetic hydrocracking” oils from other well-known manufacturers, and the advantages are obvious.
I would like to note that the Shell line includes, and stands separately (HX8 and HX7), synthetic and semi-synthetic oils based on hydrocracking, produced using XHVI technology. And it is this technology that allows us to produce HA oils with an ultra-high viscosity index, unlike other manufacturers of HA oils.
Any motor oil is a mixture of base oil and an additive package. Now base oils are usually divided into five main groups.
First group- ordinary mineral water obtained from heavy fractions of oil in the presence of various solvents.
Second group- improved mineral oils that have undergone hydrotreatment, which increases the stability of the base oil, and are better purified from harmful impurities. They have their own niche, mainly in the field of freight transport, heavy marine and industrial diesel engines - they are used where oil consumption is enormous and the use of expensive synthetics is ruinous.
Third group- base oils obtained using hydrocracking technology (HC technology). On Internet forums, “experts” contemptuously call these oils “crack,” although they occupy the bulk of the market. Some companies position them as semi-synthetic (although they themselves admit the incorrectness of the term “semi-synthetic”), while others call them NS-synthetics. In fact, this is also mineral oil, obtained from the corresponding fractions of oil, but improved - both in terms of purity and molecular structure.
Fourth group- Full Synthetic, or fully synthetic oils. Their basis is polyalphaolefins (PAO). PAO molecules are a purely synthetic product that is obtained as a result of chemical reactions mainly from petroleum gases - ethylene or butylene. Such oils are “assembled” like a construction set, and therefore their properties are more predictable than those of mineral water. The disadvantage of PJSC is its high price. Therefore, little tricks are used: why not mix twenty-thirty-forty percent PAO with “crack” and call such oil completely synthetic? After all, the share of PAO in synthetics is not specified anywhere! The trick can only be figured out by the flash point, which is indicated in the technical description of the oil: for PAO it tends to 250 °C and even higher (sometimes 280 °C), and for pure NS synthetics it is about 225 °C.
Fifth group base oils are united by everything that is not included in the first four. And the main one that is included in this group and is actively used in the production of commercial oils is ester-based base oil.
Esthers- completely synthetic compounds obtained not from petroleum, but mainly from plant materials, mainly from rapeseed oil. This is a purely synthetic product that is completely stable. Its molecules have a charge, due to which they adhere to metal walls and reliably reduce wear. Unfortunately, it is impossible to make oil consisting of esters alone: friction losses will be high. Therefore, oils of the fifth group are also a mixture, most often of esters and PAOs, but at the same time, since for pure synthetics some of the performance properties can be set at the stage of assembling the base oil, the volume of the additive package can be significantly smaller.
WHAT'S NEW?
The coolest group is the fifth, from which we took three ester oils, each with its own twist.
Cupper SAE 5W-40 Full Ester
The most esterified, so to speak: according to the manufacturer, it contains up to 80% esters and only 2.5% additives with special metal-clad (French laquer - to cover) components.
XENUM WRX 7.5W40
Ester with microceramic additives based on boron nitride. In fact, boron nitride is a powerful abrasive, but a very fine fraction is used here, which is said to be an analogue of a solid lubricant in friction zones. Let us note the non-traditional, “fractional” class according to SAE and the considerable price.
KROON Oil Poly Tech 10W-40
The so-called OSP technology is used here, in which up to 30% of special polyesters - polyalkylene glycols (PAG) - are included in the base oil based on PAO and esters. They completely dissolve in oil and contribute to better dissolution of the additive package. Note the high viscosity index of PAG (over 180 units), which provides good starting properties at low temperatures. The approximate price is 5,000 rubles for 5 liters.
An interesting couple from the third and fourth groups were taken to accompany the esters.
TOTEK Astra Robot 5W40
RAVENOL HCS 5W-40 API SL/SM/CF
Let’s take this hydrocracking synthetic as a starting point. The price is ridiculous.
The purpose of the tests is to see how these oils perform under identical bench test conditions: what to expect and what to hope for? At the same time, we will not compare oils of the fourth and fifth groups with each other: it is not they who compete, but the principles of development of the directions of modern “oil production”.
LONG RIDE
Almost all oil manufacturers declare energy-saving features, reduced wear, exceptional cleanliness of parts, and extended oil life. This can only be verified and compared during long-term bench tests, ensuring identical operating conditions for each product. The technique has been tested.
The heart of the research facility is a bench engine based on the VAZ-2111, and the oil operating conditions in it are specially tightened. In particular, the compression ratio has been increased and oil cooling of the pistons has been introduced: the oil is heated additionally. The samples were examined in the chemotological laboratory of the Department of Engines, Automobiles and Tracked Vehicles of the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University and at the North-Western Center for Expertise.
Under such conditions, each oil lasted for 180 operating hours in a mode typical for driving a car along a highway (an ordinary car would cover approximately 15,000 km during this time); except that the number of start-ups and warm-ups was significantly less.
As the tests progressed, we took samples of the oil to track its aging history. At the same time, power, fuel consumption and exhaust gas toxicity were measured. After each cycle, the motor was disassembled to assess its condition - in particular, the degree of wear.
THE TORMENT OF HYDROCRACKING
The first oil to be poured into the bench motor was to set the initial reference level. This is NS synthetic RAVENOL HCS 5W‑40. Everything was fine, but 130 engine hours after the start of testing, the viscosity fell beyond the upper limit determined by the declared SAE class (16.3 cSt), which we always equate to a formal failure. Mileage (converted) - a little more than 11,000 km. A sharp increase in viscosity determined a noticeable deterioration in engine performance: power decreased by 3%, fuel consumption increased by 7%.
WILL YOU BE THE FOURTH?
The fourth group of base oils in our test was represented by the “most” synthetic motor oil - TOTEK Astra Robot 5W40. And, I must admit, very successfully. Against the background of hydrocracking oil, the advantages of full synthetics based on PAO were clearly visible.
Firstly, this is a resource. The oil worked easily for a conventional 15,000 km, its parameters remained within the specified limits. The rate of aging, even under the proposed harsh conditions, turned out to be noticeably lower than that of oils of the “younger” groups. And the motor characteristics at the end of the tests were not too different from the initial ones.
Secondly, this oil surprised with its low-temperature properties: -54 ºС - this is the freezing point! A high viscosity index (under 170) provides good viscosity-temperature characteristics, guaranteeing optimal oil performance both at high temperatures under loaded conditions and during cold starts.
The waste during the entire test cycle was minimal. Low volatility had an effect, which is indirectly confirmed by the highest flash point among all oils in this group. And also the results of measuring the toxicity of exhaust gases: the yield of residual hydrocarbons is noticeably less than when the engine runs on other oils - the non-fuel, that is, oil, component of toxicity has noticeably decreased. How do we know what exactly is oil? This means that the fuel component with the same gasoline and the same adjustments makes a difference only within the error.
The level of pollution in the engine is typical for synthetics: small, but still noticeable.
COPPER IN OIL
The first representative of the fifth group was Cupper 5W40 Full Ester oil. The new original additive package containing copper should provide metal-clad properties. What does this mean? A thin copper film will form on the working surfaces of the parts, smoothing out roughness and also protecting friction units from scuffing and wear. The oil withstood the required 15,000 km. After opening the engine, we saw that the surfaces of the cylinders began to resemble Karelian birch veneer - both in color and pattern. This is copper. And weighing the parts was a total shock: on the bearing shells, instead of a loss, there was a steady increase in mass! Minimal, at the level of a few milligrams, but an increase! Has copper really transferred from the oil to the working surfaces of the liners? And another miracle: the alkaline number in the fresh (before testing) oil sample was only about 3 mg KOH/g instead of the usual 6–10 KOH/g. Error? We tried it on several times - everything is correct! And after testing it decreased only slightly. This is what the combination of an ester base and a metal-clad additive package gives. There were no miracles with the rings, but the rate of wear is actually less than with the standard hydrocracking synthetics.
The resource is worse than that of TOTEK Astra Robot oil based on pure PAO, but significantly better than that of the reference “hydrocracking”. This is understandable: additives work intensively, but there are only a few of them - so the oil resource cannot be endless. But we remind you: the oil has worked properly for the conditional 15,000 km.
ESTER MOTOR OIL: WHITE ON BLACK
“Estero-ceramic” oil Xenum WRX 7.5W40 with microceramics gave a record low wear rate of piston rings and cylinders, in addition, the wear rate of bearings decreased. Boron nitride “solid lubricant” works! The energy-saving effect in the oil manifested itself exactly where conventional engines have a particularly difficult time - in maximum modes and, which looks strange to non-professionals, in idle mode. In the first case, all parts are subject to maximum loads that the oil must withstand. In the second, there are no loads, but the speed of relative movement of the parts, causing them to “float” on the oil layer, is very low. Therefore, not all oil works, but mainly its additives.
But it was not without its tar.
Firstly, the aging rate of this oil from the ester group turned out to be noticeably higher than that of Cupper oil - Xenum even lost to TOTEK oil from the PAO group. The test cycle was completed, but the resource reserve at the end of it was minimal. In our opinion, this is a consequence of more severe operating conditions of the oil film in the presence of ceramic microparticles. Focal local temperatures in friction zones where solid microparticles operate can increase, and this inevitably spoils the oil base.
Secondly, the low-temperature properties of this oil also turned out to be not so hot. However, the non-standard “7.5” in the SAE classification did not promise anything else. And further. After the oil samples stood on the shelf for some time, they revealed a sediment that was difficult to wash off! Even shaking the sample for a long time did not remove it from the bottom of the bottle. Miracles do not happen: ceramics are heavy, it is impossible to keep it in the volume of oil for a long time. Of course, there was a little sediment, but it somehow made me feel uncomfortable. The only reassuring thing is that the oil has been on our market for several days, but it seems that no “horror stories” associated with it have been discovered.
Note that the color of the samples changed intensively. Initially, the oil resembled kefir in color: white-white. After 40 engine hours, it already looked like regular oil - dark, but the sediment was still whitish. Boron nitride, however.
"POLY TECH" IN POLYTECH
The tests were carried out in the laboratory of the Department of Engines of the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. How can you pass by an oil with such a familiar name - KROON Oil Poly Tech? The only PAG group oil on our market generally confirmed what the description said. The main thing is that when opening the engine after 180 hours of operation in harsh conditions, we found almost clean pistons! There were virtually no high-temperature deposits; the piston groove area turned out to be clean. This means that the rings work normally with this oil; no sticking can be expected.
The level of low-temperature deposits was lower than that of other oils. It seems that the polyalkylene glycol base of the oil dissolves them, as promised by the manufacturer. And everything is fine with the service life: the oil lasted 15,000 km with a reserve of several thousand kilometers more.
As for engine life and wear protection, everything is also very decent, at the level of the best ester samples and significantly better than that of basic NS synthetics. But with “cold” properties it’s not so clear. The pour point is below minus fifty, and this is one of the best indicators, but the viscosity index is not the highest. It’s not for nothing that the SAE class is 10W‑40.
OILS FROM THE FUTURE
Who said that all motor oils come from the same barrel? During the tests, we made two important discoveries for ourselves.
Firstly, NS oils work quite well for their price and are not capable of ruining even the most modern engine.
Secondly, there are more interesting options than the third group, the most common on the market. And each of the oils considered has its own advantages, with the only disadvantage being the high price. But it’s not a sin to pay for something good, especially since the overpayment most often does not exceed the cost of one or two fuel refills. If we take into account the effect of energy saving (gasoline savings by an average of 2–4%), improved vehicle dynamics, starting properties and reduced engine wear, then overpaying does not look scary at all.
Any of the oils we tested can be safely poured into the engine. According to our information, the same Xenum is very popular among racers. Cupper with its copper still seems somehow inexplicable, but it survived! There are no questions about TOTEK oil. And KROON Oil Poly Tech polyalkylene glycol oil generally sells with a bang. In short, use it boldly - of course, if the quality group of the selected oil is consistent with the requirements of the car's operating instructions.
Xenum WRX 7.5W40
price, rub. from 6000
Volume, l 5
KROON Oil Poly Tech 10W‑40
Approximate price, rub. 5000
Volume, l 5
OUR COMMENT
There are only a few manufacturers of base oils and additives, and therefore there is nowhere to find a variety of final products. The oils we tested are produced in small volumes. New solutions are being tested on such products. Kroon Oil is a former subsidiary of Shell, XENUM is often used in motorsport, Cupper and TOTEK are new Russian-made products. It can be difficult to assign an oil to one group or another: the manufacturer does not advertise its composition. The main part is NS oils, the rest, approximately equally, are cheap mineral waters (popular overseas and in the Middle East) and so-called full synthetics.
