VLS
Global lubricants test standards team
Formed in 2019, this group works to harmonise standardisation efforts around the world
Greg Miiller (Savant Inc.), Hind Abi-Akar (Caterpillar Inc.), Rattanjit Gill (Energy Institute) and Raj Shah (Koehler instrument Company), Members of the leadership group for the new Global Lubricants Test Standards committee
Introduction Lubricants remain a fundamental component for the protection of internal combustion engines globally, affording protection and durability of these engines and supporting advanced designs. As engine designs advanced, lubricants evolved in complexity and formulation to support these engines, expanding from supporting components to protecting and supporting advanced aftertreatment systems. The growth of lubricants has been steady globally. Further, lubricant formulation has been evolving to protect the latest concepts of hybrid, electrical and other advanced engine designs.
Engine oil formulations are composed of two basic components – base oils and additives. They are blended using base oils that consist of petroleum- based hydrocarbons, synthetics or their mixture in varying proportions. Typically, these base oils are enhanced with various additives, such as anti-wear additives, detergents, dispersants, and, for multi-grade oils, viscosity index improvers. The addition of corrosion and oxidation inhibitors to engine oil formulations is commonplace in the industry as well. The viscosity, or thickness, of an oil is one of its most important and defining properties. Typically, thin, lower viscosity oils flow easier to protect engine parts at cold temperatures, while thick, higher viscosity oils are better at maintaining film strength to protect engines at high temperatures.
Requirements for the hybrid and electric vehicles vary depending on the vehicle. Nonetheless, proper lubrication for the bearings, chassis and transmissions is critical. The development of these lubricants is improving every day. The requirements differ from those of standard ICE engines. As these engine
44 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.169 JUNE 2022
technologies evolve, so do the oils needed to protect them. This area is witnessing a dynamic and fast growth. Areas for test considerations revolve around oxidation, wear/viscosity, corrosion/conductive deposits, thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, material compatibility and air entrainment/foam. New standard tests and specifications development are on the rise for this class of vehicles.
Historically, global organisations have developed engine oil standards to set minimum performance benchmarks and satisfy the requirements of engines. The American Petroleum Institute (API), International Lubricant Standardisation and Approval Committee (ILSAC), Japanese Engine Oil Standards Implementation Panel (JASO) and European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) are some of the most renowned associations that set performance standards and/ or certify engine oil standards for North American, European and global market. Regional standards, such as from China (SINOPEC Research Institute and Processing - RIPP). India or other regions are often modified versions of these existing standards that better suit their respective markets.
Formation of the Global Lubricants Test Standards Team The engine oil requirements set by global and regional original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) can be different based on the manufacturer. The response of the oil standard setting organisations varies accordingly, leading to various tests of the same performance properties and inevitable complexity.
The existence of similar or duplicate test methods for engine oils with minute differences, set by different organisations, has necessitated the translation of
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