automotive lubricant additives

Lithium 12-Hydroxystearate Grease Thickener

CAS: 7620-77-1

Lithium 12-hydroxystearate (lithium 12-HSA) is the foundation thickener for the world's most widely used multipurpose greases (NLGI #1, #2, #3). It forms a fibrous soap network in mineral or synthetic base oils that provides excellent structural stability, water resistance, and shear stability at temperatures up to 120°C. Lithium greases thickened with 12-HSA dominate automotive wheel bearing, chassis, and industrial general-purpose grease applications globally.

automotive lubricant additives

Low Molecular Weight Polyisobutylene (PIB) Thickener

CAS: 9003-27-4

Low to medium molecular weight polyisobutylene (PIB) is a highly branched, viscous polymer used as a tackifier and thickener in lubricating greases, chain oils, and adhesive lubricants. Its exceptional tackiness and film-forming properties prevent lubricant throw-off from high-speed chains, gears, and open mechanisms. PIB is also widely used as a component in compounded gear oils, two-stroke engine oil base components, and as a processing aid in rubber compounding.

automotive lubricant additives

Mannich Base Nitrogen Dispersant

Mannich base dispersants are synthesized by the condensation of alkyl-substituted phenols with formaldehyde and polyamines, producing nitrogen-containing oil-soluble dispersants with excellent deposit control and sludge-dispersing capability. Unlike succinimide dispersants, Mannich bases offer superior high-temperature varnish inhibition and are particularly effective in gasoline engine oil formulations and turbocharged engine oils where oxidative deposit control is critical.

automotive lubricant additives

Marine Cylinder Oil Additive Package

CAS: N/A (formulated package)

Marine cylinder oil additive package for total-loss lubrication of two-stroke crosshead diesel engine cylinder liners. Delivers very high TBN reserve (typically 25-100 mgKOH/g in finished oil) to neutralize sulfuric acid produced by combustion of high-sulfur or low-sulfur marine fuels. Multiple grade tiers (BN 25, 40, 70, 100) match the sulfur content of the bunker fuel: low-sulfur compliant fuel (VLSFO ≤0.5% S) → BN 25-40; high-sulfur fuel (HSFO, 3.5% S) used with scrubbers → BN 70-100.

automotive lubricant additives

Marine System Oil Additive Package

CAS: N/A (formulated package)

Marine system oil additive package formulated for crankcase and circulation lubrication of two-stroke crosshead marine diesel engines. Provides detergency, dispersancy, antiwear and corrosion control across the engine's cooling, bearing and underpiston spaces — environments exposed to fuel oil contamination, water ingress, and high-temperature combustion gas blow-by. Treat rate typically 4-6% in SAE 30 mineral or Group II base oils.

automotive lubricant additives

Medium-Speed Trunk Piston Engine Oil Additive Package

CAS: N/A (formulated package)

Medium-speed trunk piston engine oil additive package for four-stroke trunk piston diesel engines used in marine auxiliary, power generation, locomotive, and stationary applications. Operates at 300-1000 rpm with combined crankcase + cylinder lubrication (no separate cylinder oil). Provides controlled TBN (typically 25-55 mgKOH/g in finished oil) to handle the moderate-sulfur HFO, MGO, and dual-fuel operation of these engines. Compatible with all major OEM specifications including MAN ES (medium-speed), Wärtsilä W series, MaK, and Caterpillar 3500 series.

automotive lubricant additives

Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2) Solid Lubricant Additive

CAS: 1317-33-5

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a naturally-occurring layered sulfide mineral that is one of the most effective solid lubricants known, providing extremely low friction (μ = 0.03–0.05) under high load, high vacuum, and extreme temperature conditions. Its van der Waals-bonded lamellar structure allows easy interlayer shear, forming a persistent lubricating transfer film on metal surfaces. MoS2 is an essential additive in high-performance greases, thread compounds, and dry film lubricants for aerospace, automotive, and industrial machinery.

automotive lubricant additives

Molybdenum Dithiocarbamate (MoDTC)

CAS: 68412-36-2

Molybdenum dithiocarbamate (MoDTC) is an oil-soluble organo-molybdenum compound widely used as a friction modifier in engine and drivetrain lubricants. It decomposes under tribological stress to generate in-situ MoS2 nanoparticles that reduce boundary friction coefficient by 30–50%, improving fuel economy. MoDTC is a key component of fuel-efficient engine oil formulations meeting ILSAC GF-5/GF-6 and ACEA C2/C3 specifications.

automotive lubricant additives

Molybdenum Dithiophosphate (MoDTP)

Molybdenum dithiophosphate (MoDTP) combines the antiwear functionality of dithiophosphate chemistry with the friction-reducing capability of organo-molybdenum, offering a dual-action performance additive for premium lubricant formulations. Unlike MoDTC, MoDTP also contributes phosphorus-based antiwear protection, making it effective in both boundary and mixed lubrication regimes. It is particularly valued in gear oils, automatic transmission fluids, and high-performance engine oils.

automotive lubricant additives

Olefin Copolymer (OCP) Viscosity Index Improver

CAS: 9010-77-9

Olefin copolymer (OCP) VI improvers, based on ethylene-propylene copolymers, are the most widely used viscosity modifiers in engine oils and gear oils due to their excellent shear stability and cost-effectiveness. They improve the viscosity-temperature relationship to enable multi-grade formulations and demonstrate outstanding mechanical shear stability in service, making them ideal for heavy-duty diesel engine oils that must retain their viscosity grade through long drain intervals.

automotive lubricant additives

Oleic Acid Based Corrosion Inhibitor for Lubricants

CAS: 112-80-1

Oleic acid and its derivatives (including oleyl sarcosine, dioleyl phosphate, and amine oleates) are widely used as mild corrosion inhibitors, friction modifiers, and boundary lubrication additives in metalworking fluids, gear oils, and hydraulic lubricants. The polar carboxylic acid group adsorbs onto ferrous and non-ferrous metal surfaces, forming a protective monomolecular film that inhibits corrosion and reduces friction at low contact loads.

automotive lubricant additives

Overbased Calcium Sulfonate Detergent (High TBN)

CAS: 61789-86-4

Overbased calcium sulfonate is the primary detergent additive in engine oil formulations, providing acid neutralization, deposit prevention, and corrosion protection. The colloidal calcium carbonate core suspended in the sulfonate carrier delivers high TBN (300–400 mg KOH/g) to neutralize acidic combustion and oxidation byproducts throughout the oil drain interval. It is essential in heavy-duty diesel engine oils meeting API CK-4/FA-4 and marine diesel oil formulations.

automotive lubricant additives

Overbased Magnesium Sulfonate Detergent

CAS: 61789-87-5

Overbased magnesium sulfonate detergent offers excellent acid neutralization and high-temperature deposit control, making it a preferred alternative or complement to calcium sulfonate in engine oil and marine lubricant formulations. The magnesium sulfonate structure provides superior high-temperature detergency for controlling piston and ring belt deposits in turbocharged diesel engines. It is widely specified in marine two-stroke cylinder oils and aviation piston engine lubricants where magnesium ash is preferred.

automotive lubricant additives

PTFE Powder Additive for Greases and Lubricants

CAS: 9002-84-0

Micronized polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) powder is used as a solid lubricant additive in greases and dry lubricants, reducing the coefficient of friction and improving wear resistance under light- to medium-load boundary lubrication conditions. PTFE particles deposit on metal surfaces to form a low-energy, low-friction transfer film. They are particularly effective in precision bearings, instrument mechanisms, and thread compounds where conventional lubricants would cause interference or contamination.

automotive lubricant additives

Phenothiazine Radical Scavenger Antioxidant

CAS: 92-84-2

Phenothiazine is a potent radical-scavenging antioxidant containing both sulfur and nitrogen heteroatoms, providing synergistic primary antioxidation when used alongside conventional phenolic and aminic antioxidants. Its unique tricyclic structure allows it to donate electrons to radical species at much lower concentrations than standard antioxidants. Phenothiazine is particularly effective as a thermal stabilizer in high-temperature synthetic lubricants, ester-based fluids, and specialty lubricant formulations where conventional antioxidants reach their thermal limits.

automotive lubricant additives

Polyisobutenyl Succinic Anhydride (PIBSA)

CAS: 28777-98-2

Polyisobutenyl succinic anhydride (PIBSA) is the key intermediate in the synthesis of PIBSI dispersants, produced by the thermal or chlorination-free ene reaction of high-reactivity polyisobutylene with maleic anhydride. It is also used directly as a corrosion inhibitor and emulsifier in metalworking fluids, fuel additives, and specialty lubricants. The anhydride functionality reacts readily with amines, alcohols, and other nucleophiles to produce customized lubricant additive molecules.

automotive lubricant additives

Polyisobutenyl Succinimide (PIBSI) Dispersant

CAS: 84605-19-6

Polyisobutenyl succinimide (PIBSI) is the most widely used ashless dispersant in engine oil formulations, keeping soot, oxidation products, and carbonaceous deposits suspended in the oil and preventing sludge and varnish formation. The polyisobutenyl tail provides oil solubility while the succinimide head group strongly associates with polar contaminants. PIBSI is essential in every modern engine oil package from PCMO to HDEO, enabling extended drain intervals and clean engine operation.

automotive lubricant additives

Polymethacrylate (PMA) Pour Point Depressant

CAS: 25087-26-7

Polymethacrylate (PMA) pour point depressants work by co-crystallizing with wax molecules in petroleum-derived base oils, disrupting the wax crystal network and preventing gelation at low temperatures. They enable formulation of engine oils and industrial lubricants with pour points as low as -45°C, meeting stringent cold-start performance requirements. PMA PPDs are effective across Group I, II, and III base oils and are compatible with OCP VI improvers in multi-grade formulations.

automotive lubricant additives

Polymethacrylate (PMA) Viscosity Index Improver

CAS: 25087-26-7

Polymethacrylate (PMA) viscosity index improvers are comb-polymer additives that reduce the change in viscosity with temperature, enabling the formulation of multi-grade engine oils and gear oils with excellent low-temperature fluidity and high-temperature viscosity retention. PMA VI improvers also provide inherent pour point depressant functionality. They are extensively used in passenger car motor oils (0W-20 to 5W-40), ATF, and gear oils requiring both viscosity modification and low-temperature performance.

automotive lubricant additives

Polyurea (Diurea) Grease Thickener

Polyurea (diurea) grease thickeners are formed in-situ by the reaction of diisocyanates with amines during grease manufacturing. The resulting non-soap thickener network provides superior high-temperature stability, with dropping points exceeding 250°C, making polyurea greases the standard choice for electric motor bearings and high-temperature industrial applications. Polyurea greases also exhibit excellent oxidative stability due to the absence of metallic soap, making them preferred in sealed-for-life bearing applications.

automotive lubricant additives

Power Steering Fluid (PSF) Additive Package

Power steering fluid (PSF) additive packages are formulated to meet the demanding requirements of hydraulic power steering systems, including antiwear protection for the pump and rack components, seal compatibility with multiple elastomer materials, oxidative stability, and effective operation across a wide temperature range (-40°C to +150°C). These packages also address the requirements of modern electric power steering (EPS) reservoir fluids and column-type EPS fluids, where low viscosity and electrical insulation properties are added requirements.

automotive lubricant additives

Silicone Antifoam Agent for Lubricants (PDMS)

CAS: 9006-65-9

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) silicone fluid is the most widely used antifoam agent in engine oils, gear oils, and industrial lubricants, providing effective foam suppression at extremely low treat rates (1–5 ppm). PDMS reduces surface tension at the air-oil interface, causing rapid foam bubble collapse. It is included in virtually every modern automotive and industrial lubricant formulation to meet sequence foaming test requirements (ASTM D892, Sequence I-III).

automotive lubricant additives

Styrene-Butadiene (SBR) Viscosity Index Improver

CAS: 9003-55-8

Styrene-butadiene (SBR) block copolymers are versatile viscosity index improvers used in automatic transmission fluids, power steering fluids, and hydraulic oils where both low-temperature fluidity and high-temperature viscosity retention are critical. The star-polymer architecture provides excellent low-temperature performance while the high molecular weight ensures effective thickening. Hydrogenated grades offer improved oxidative stability for applications requiring extended service life.

automotive lubricant additives

Sulfurized Calcium Phenate Detergent

CAS: 61789-51-3

Sulfurized calcium phenate is an overbased detergent additive that combines strong acid neutralization with excellent high-temperature thermal stability, making it a preferred component in heavy-duty diesel, marine, and gas engine oil formulations. The sulfurized phenate structure provides superior deposit control under extreme temperature conditions compared to sulfonates, particularly in controlling piston varnish in gas engines. It is commonly used alongside calcium sulfonates to achieve balanced detergency across temperature ranges.