ISSN: 1546-962X
CODEN: JAIOAD
Published Online: 11 July 2011
Page Count: 15

Polyalkylene Glycols as Next Generation Engine Oils

Woydt, Mathias
BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing,

(Received 14 September 2010; accepted 26 April 2011)

Abstract

Some of the properties intrinsically present in the backbone of polyalkylene glycols (PAGs), which have nowadays attracted the automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), are presented, such as bio-no-tox properties, heat capacity, extended drains, low friction, low AlSi-liner wear, fuel economy, and very high viscosity indices, and are achieved with metal-, ash-, and polymer-free formulations, which guarantee no adverse contamination of the lambda sensor and the active centers of the catalyzer as well as not to increase the exhaust back pressure of the particulate filter through ash deposits. This paper illuminates the latest results from OEM’s engine bench and road testing supporting the following functional benefits: (a) bio-no-tox, (b) improvements of fuel economy, even when compared with latest hydrocarbon-based prototype oils, (c) reduced wear, (d) reduced engine friction, (e) extended drains, (f) suited for bio-fuels, (g) no adverse effects on after-treatment devices through ash-, metal-, and polymer-free formulations, etc.

Keywords:
bio-no-tox, heat capacity, fuel economy, drain, polyglycol, polypropylene glycol, polyalkylene glycol, polybutylene glycol, BAM test, AlSi-liner wear, DLC, SRV, slip-rolling, Stribeck curve

Paper ID: JAI103368
DOI: 10.1520/JAI103368
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.