What are the Base Oil?
As they say, ‘Quality starts at the Base’, and when it comes to base oils, they are the cornerstone of what makes high-quality and high-performing lubricants versus ordinary lubricants. Base oils are one of the primary ingredients in lubricants and are used to improve their viscosity and protect engines from wear, friction, and corrosion.
Base oils are classified by the American Petroleum Institute (API) into five different groups, based on how each is processed and its chemical properties.
> Group I & II
Group I and II are typically known as mineral conventional base oils, with Group I being less refined than the other. Group I are solvent-refined (a simpler refining process), while its counterpart, Group II, are often manufactured by hydrocracking (a more complex process). Group II base oils contain higher saturation and sulphur levels. Thus, resulting in better antioxidation properties and higher corrosion protection.
Base oils are classified by the American Petroleum Institute (API) into five different groups, based on how each is processed and its chemical properties.
> Group III
Group III base oils are also created through hydrocracking. However, a higher temperature and pressure is used to refine the oils, resulting in clearer and colourless oils with a Viscosity Index above 120. This group of oils are often much more oxidative-resistant and of higher quality.
> Group IV & V
Group IV and V are not often used in the manufacturing of lubricants, and you can find out more by contacting our laboratory.