AAMA
The American Automobile Manufacturers
Association (AAMA) is a trade
association that represents car
manufacturers headquartered in the United
States.
After the purchase of Chrysler by German Daimler-Benz
the organization has
been dissolved on December 31, 1998.
absolute viscosity
the ratio of shear stress to shear rate.
It is a fluid’s internal resistance to
flow.
The common unit of absolute viscosity is
the poise (see viscosity).
Absolute
viscosity divided by the fluid’s density equals kinematic
viscosity.
absorber oil
oil used to selectively absorb heavier
hydrocarbon components from a gas
mixture. Also called wash oil or scrubber
oil.
absorption
process by, which one substance draws
into itself another substance;
the assimilation of one material into
another;
in petroleum refining, the use of an
absorptive liquid to selectively
remove components from a process stream.
Examples: a sponge picking up water; an
oil recovering gasoline from wet
natural gas.
ACEA
Association des Constructeurs Europeens
Automobiles
(Association of the European Automobile Manufacturers)
is the new
association of the European automobile
manufacturers, formed in February
1991. ACEA is engaged in a broad range of
activities including safety and
environmental concerns and any
regulations which have a direct impact on
the European automobile industry. ACEA
members are all the European motor
vehicle manufacturers including Ford
Europe, GM Europe, Scania, and Volvo.
At present, only Peugeot is not a member
of ACEA but cooperates with ACEA
in the field of lubricating oils and
fuels.
acid
A member of an important and fundamental
category of chemical substances
characterized by having an available
reactive hydrogen and requiring an
alkali to neutralize them. Acid solutions
usually have a sour, biting, and
tart taste, like vinegar. pH is less than
7.
acid sludge
The residue left after treating petroleum
oil with sulfuric acid for the
removal of impurities. It is a black,
viscous substance containing the
spent acid and impurities.
acid treating
A refining process in which unfinished
petroleum products, such as
gasoline, kerosene, and lubricating oil stocks,
are contacted with
sulfuric acid to improve their color,
odor, and other properties.
acidity
The amount of free acid in any substance.
additive
An agent or chemical substance added to a
product and used for imparting
new, or for improving existing
characteristics of lubricating oils or
greases.
Common petroleum product additives are:
anti-foam agent
anti-icing additive
anti-oxidant
anti-wear additive
corrosion inhibitor
demulsifier
detergent
dispersant
emulsifier
EP additive
fluidizer
oiliness agent
oxidation inhibitor
pour point depressant
rust inhibitor
tackiness agent
viscosity index (V.I.) improver
additive level
The total percentage of all additives in
an oil. (Expressed in % of mass
[weight] or % of volume)
adhesion
The force or forces causing two materials
such as a lubricating grease and
a metal, to stick together.
adsorption
adhesion of the molecules of gases,
liquids, or dissolved substances to a
solid surface, resulting in relatively
high concentration of the molecules
at the place of contact; e.g., the
plating out of an anti-wear-additive on
metal surfaces.
Also, any refining process in which a gas
or a liquid is contacted with a
solid, causing some compounds of the gas
or liquid to adhere to the solid;
e.g., contacting of lube oils with
activated clay to improve color.
See clay filtration
aerosol
a highly dispersed suspension (Colloidal
System) of fine solid or liquid
particles in a gas.
Petroleum solvents are commonly used
either as carriers or as vapor
pressure depressants in packaged aerosol
specialty products. Petroleum
products are also applied in aerosol form
in agricultural oil applications
and oil mist lubrication.
AFV
Alternate Fuel Vehicle
AGMA
American Gear Manufacturers Association
air entrainment
The incorporation of air in the form of
bubbles as a dispersed phase in
the bulk liquid. Air may be entrained in
a liquid through mechanical means
and/or by release of dissolved air due to
a sudden change in environment.
The presence of entrained air is usually
readily apparent from the
appearance of the liquid (i.e., bubbly,
opaque, etc.) while dissolved air
can only be determined by analysts.
aliphatic hydrocarbon
hydrocarbon in which the carbon atoms are
joined in open chains, rather
than rings.
See normal paraffin.
alkali
In chemistry, any substance having basic
properties. The term is applied
to hydroxides of ammonium, lithium,
potassium, and sodium. They are
soluble in water; have the power to
neutralize acids and form salts. They
turn red litmus blue. In a more general
sense, the term is also applied to
the hydroxides of the so-called alkaline
earth metals: barium, calcium,
and strontium.
alkyl
any of a series of monovalent radicals
having the general formula CnH2n+1,
derived from aliphatic hydrocarbons by
the removal of a hydrogen atom; for
example, CH3- (methyl radical, from
methane).
alkylate
product of an alkylation process.
alkylated aromatic
benzene-derived synthetic lubricant base
with good hydrolytic stability
(resistance to chemical reaction with
water) and good compatibility with
mineral oils.
Used in turbines, compressors, jet
engines, and hydraulic power steering.
alkylation
in refining, the chemical reaction of a
low-molecular-weight olefin with
an isoparaffin to form a liquid product,
alkylate, that has a high octane
number and is used to improve the antiknock
properties of gasoline. The
reaction takes place in the presence of a
strong acid catalyst, and at
controlled temperature and pressure.
Alkylation less commonly describes
certain other reactions, such as that of
an olefin with an aromatic
hydrocarbon.
Almen EP lubricant tester
A Journal bearing machine used for
determining the load-carrying capacity
or Extreme Pressure properties (EP) of
gear lubricants.
ambient temperature
Temperature of the area or atmosphere
around a process, (not the operating
temperature of the process itself).
anhydrous
Free of water, especially of
crystallization.
aniline point
The minimum temperature for complete
miscibility of equal volumes of
aniline and the sample under test ASTM
Method D
aniline point will be low in aromatics
and naphthenes and, therefore, high
in paraffins. Aniline point is often
specified for spray oils, cleaning
solvents, and thinners, where effectiveness depends upon aromatic
content.
In conjunction with API gravity, the
aniline point may be used to
calculate the net heat of combustion for
aviation fuels.
anti-foam agent
An additive used to control foam.
two types of additives are used to
reduce foaming in petroleum products:
silicone oil to break up large
surface bubbles
polymers of various kinds that
decrease the amount of small
bubbles entrained in the oils
See foaming
antifreeze solution
A fluid, such as ethylene or propylene
glycol, which is added to or used
to replace the water in the cooling
system of engines in order to prevent
freezing.
anti-friction bearing(s)
A type of bearing using rollers, cones or
balls. They are also known as
rolling element bearings.
anti-icing additive
substance added to gasoline to prevent
ice formation on the throttle plate
of a carburetor. Anti-icing additives are
of two types:
those that lower the freezing point of
water
those that alter the growth of ice
crystals so that they remain small
enough to be carried away in the air
stream.
antiknock
Resistance to detonation or pinging in
spark-ignition engines.
Resistance of a gasoline to detonation in
a combustion chamber.
See antiknock index, octane number.
antiknock compounds
substances which raise the antiknock
quality of a gasoline, as expressed
by octane number. Historically,
tetraethyl lead (lead alkyl) has been the
most common antiknock compound, but its
use is being phased out under
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
regulations. Coming into increasing
use as octane boosters are toluene and
oxygenated organic type substances
such as methyl tertiary butyl ether
(MTBE) and tertiary amyl methyl ether
(TAME).
antiknock index
the average of the Research Octane Number
and Motor Octane Number; a
measure of the octane quality of a
gasoline.
According to EPA and FTC regulations the
antiknock index of any gasoline
sold in the
use in motor vehicles.
See octane number.
antioxidant
chemical added to lubricating oils to
resist oxidation.
anti-seize compound
grease-like substance containing
graphite, moly or metallic solids
(Copper, Zinc, Silver or Lead), which is
applied to threaded joints,
particularly those subjected to high
temperatures, to facilitate
separation when required.
anti-wear additive
additive in a lubricant that reduces
friction and excessive wear.
See boundary lubrication.
API
The American Petroleum Institute (API) is
a trade association that
promotes
technology, cooperates with the
government in matters of national concern,
and provides information on the petroleum
industry to the government and
the public.
API Engine Service Classification System
Classifications and designations for
lubricating oils for automotive
engines developed by API in conjunction
with SAE and ASTM. An recently
also with ILSAC.
API Gear Lubricant Service Designation
Classifications and designations for
lubricating oils for automotive
transmissions developed by API in
conjunction with SAE and ASTM.
API gravity
A nonscientific and arbitrary scale
expressing the gravity or density of
liquid petroleum products. The measuring
scale is calibrated in terms of
degrees API. It may be calculated in
terms of the following formula:
apparent viscosity
The ratio of shear stress to rate of
shear of a non-Newtonian fluid such
as lubricating grease, or a multi-grade
oil, calculated from Poiseuille’s
equation and measured in poises. The
apparent viscosity changes with
changing rates of shear and temperature
and must, therefore, be reported
as the value at a given shear rate and temperature
(ASTM Method D 1092).
aromatic
Derived from, or characterized by, the
presence of the benzene ring.
unsaturated hydrocarbon identified by one
or more benzene rings or by
chemical behavior similar to benzene. The
benzene ring is characterized by
three double bonds alternating with
single bonds between carbon atoms
(compare with olefins). Because of these
multiple bonds, aromatics are
usually more reactive and have higher
solvency than paraffins and
naphthenes. Aromatics readily undergo
electrophylic substitution; that is,
they react to add other active molecular
groups, such as nitrates,
sulfonates, etc.
Aromatics are used extensively as
petrochemical building blocks in the
manufacture of pharmaceuticals, dyes,
plastics, and many other chemicals.
ASEAN
Association of South-East Asian Nations
ash content
The percent by weight of residue left
after combustion of an oil or fuel
sample.
(ASTM Method D 482 or D 874 [sulfated
ash]).
Lubricating oil detergent additives
contain metallic derivatives, such as
barium, calcium, and magnesium
sulfonates, that are common sources of ash.
Ash deposits can impair engine efficiency
and power.
See detergent
ASLE
American Society of Lubrication Engineers
This society is still in
existence but is now known as the Society
of Tribologists and Lubrication
Engineers (STLE). The ASLE had published standards
for machine tool
lubricants.
asperities
microscopic projections on metal surfaces
resulting from normal
surface-finishing processes. Interference
between opposing asperities in
sliding or rolling applications is a
source of friction, and can lead to
metal welding and scoring. Ideally, the
lubricating film between two
moving surfaces should be thicker than
the combined height of the opposing
asperities.
See boundary lubrication, EP additive
asphalt
Black to dark-brown solid or semisolid
cemetitious material which
gradually liquefies when heated and in
which the predominating
constituents are bitumen’s. These occur
in the solid or semisolid form in
nature; are obtained by refining
petroleum; or are combinations with one
another or with petroleum or derivatives
thereof.
asphaltic
Essentially composed of, or similar to,
asphalt; frequently used to
describe lubricating oils derived from
crude oils which contain asphalt.
ASTM
The American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM) is a professional
society that is responsible for the
publication of test methods and the
development of test evaluation techniques.
ATC
Technical Committee of the Petroleum
Additive Manufacturers
(ATF) Automatic Transmission Fluid
fluid for automatic transmissions in
motor vehicles. Automatic
transmission fluids must have a suitable
coefficient of friction, good
low-temperature viscosity, and anti-wear
properties. Other necessary
properties are: high oxidation stability,
anti-corrosion, anti-foaming,
and compatibility with synthetic rubber
seals.
See corrosion, foaming.
ATIEL
Association Technique de L’lndustrie
Europeene des Lubrifiants
auto-ignition
In realtion to Fuels & Combustion
in Internal Combustion Engines it is
the spontaneous ignition, and the
resulting very rapid reaction, of a
portion or all of the fuel-air mixture
in an engine. The flame speed is
many times greater than that which
follows normal spark ignition. The
noise associated with it is called
knock.
In realtion to Lubricants it is the
Temperature at which the lubricant
will self ignite when exposed to air
and continue to burn.
B
bactericide
additive included in the formulations of
water-mixed cutting fluids or
coolants,
to inhibit the growth of bacteria
promoted by the presence of water,
thus preventing the unpleasant odors that
can result from bacterial
action.
barrel
Standard unit of liquid measurement in
the petroleum industry.
Used to measure quantities of crude oil,
gasoline and fuel oils.
Equivalent of 42 U.S. Gallons.
base
any of a broad class of compounds,
including alkalis, that react with
acids to form salts, plus water. Also
known as hydroxides. Hydroxides
ionize in solution to form hydroxyl ions
(OH-); the higher the
concentration of these ions, the stronger
the base. Bases are used
extensively in petroleum refining in
caustic washing of process streams to
remove acidic impurities, and are
components in certain additives that
neutralize weak acids formed during
oxidation.
Base Oil
A base oil is a base stock or blend of
base stocks used in an API-licensed
engine oil.
Base oil interchangeability
refers to an API approved system, that
reduces testing costs by permitting
the interchangeable use of certain base
oils, without requiring a full
engine test program for each of the base
oils.
Base Stock
A base stock is a mineral hydrocarbon or
synthetic lubricant component
that is produced by a single manufacturer
(independent of crude source or
manufacturing location), that meets the
same manufacturer’s specification,
and that is identified by a unique
formula, product identification number,
or both.
batch
Any quantity of material handled or
considered as a "unit" in processing.
I.e., any sample taken from the same
"batch" will have the same properties
and/or qualities.
bearing
basic machine component designed to
reduce friction between moving parts
and to support moving loads.
There are two main types of bearings:
rolling contact bearings (also called
anti-friction bearings) commonly
ball or roller
sliding (plain) bearings, either plain
journal (a metal jacket fully or
partially enclosing a rotating inner
shaft) or pad-type bearings, for
linear motion.
Rolling-contact bearings are more
effective in reducing friction. With few
exceptions, bearings require lubrication
to reduce wear and extend bearing
life.
Bench Test
A bench test is a laboratory test that
measures various specific
performance parameters of an engine oil.
Specialized test equipment is
used for bench testing.
bentonite
The mineral montmorillonite, a
magnesium-aluminum silicate. Used as a
treating agent, also, as a component of drilling
mud, and in greases.
benzene
Colorless liquid hydrocarbon, C6H6, with
one ring of carbon atoms. Made
from coal tar and by catalytic reforming
of naphthenes, it is used in the
manufacture of phenol, styrene, nylon,
detergents, aniline, phthalic
anhydride, biphenyl, nitrobenzene,
chlorbenzene; as a solvent; and as a
component of high-octane gasoline.
benzene insoluble
That portion of the normal pentane
insoluble in used lubricating oils
which is not soluble in benzene, and
which may include the insoluble
contaminants from external sources, some
matter produced by oxidation and
thermal decomposition of the oil, the oil
additives, or the fuel.
(It is tested by ASTM Method D 893).
blending
The process of mixing lubricants or
components for the purpose of
obtaining the desired physical and/or
chemical properties (see
compounding).
bloom
Fluorescence; the color of an oil by
reflected light which could differ
from its color by transmitted light.
blow-by
in an internal combustion engine, seepage
of fuel and gases past the
piston rings and cylinder wall into the
crankcase, resulting in crankcase
oil dilution and deposit formation.
See positive crankcase ventilation, .
boiling point
The temperature at which a substance
boils, or is converted into vapor by
bubbles forming within the liquid; it
varies with pressure.
bottoms
The liquid which collects in the bottom
of a vessel (tower bottoms, tank
bottoms), either during a fractionating
process or while in storage.
boundary lubrication
The state of lubrication when conditions
exist that do not permit the
formation of a lubricant film capable of
completely separating the moving
parts. As a result the asperities of the
moving parts come in contact and
a high wear rate results.
Brookfield viscosity
apparent viscosity of an oil, as
determined under test method ASTM D 2983.
Since the apparent viscosity of a
non-Newtonian fluid holds only for the
shear rate (as well as temperature) at
which it is determined, the
Brookfield viscometer provides a known rate
of shear by means of a spindle
of specified configuration that rotates
at a known constant speed in the
fluid. The torque imposed by fluid
friction can be converted to absolute
viscosity units (centipoises) by a
multiplication factor. See viscosity,
shear stress. The viscosities of certain
petroleum waxes and wax-polymer
blends in the molten state can also be
determined by the Brookfield test
method ASTM D 2669.
bright stock
Refined, high viscosity base oils usually
made from residual stocks by
suitable treatment, such as a combination
of solvent extraction, propane
asphating or catalytic dewaxing.
British Thermal Unit (BTU)
The quantity of heat required to raise,
by
pound of water at its maximum density (
BS&W
The material which collects at the bottom
of storage tanks, usually
composed of oil, water and foreign
matter. Also called Bottoms or Bottom
Settling & Watter.
BTC
British Technical Council
butane
A gas that is composed of either or both
of two isomeric, flammable,