Lubrication Fundamentals

Training

Topic 5: Lubricants Classification

Module Learning Objectives

At the completion of this module, participants should

be able to demonstrate an understanding of:

• The importance and variety of lubrication classification

systems in the European and U.S. markets
• Selected specifications of the SAE, API, AGMA ISO,
ACEA, ILSAC, and other classification systems
Importance of Nomenclature/Classification

Easy identification of the performance and quality of an oil

Oil quality levels can be easily written in OEM manuals and in the product data
sheets

Oil manufacturers use oil classifications as
marketable features

Overcomes language barriers, as they are used globally

Better communication between:
- Oil Industry
- Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)
- Customers
Lubricant Classification Systems

By Property:
- Viscosity: SAE, ISO
- Grease Consistency: NLGI

By Application:
- Engine Performance
- Transmission Performance

By Industry:
- Automotive (Passenger Cars and Trucks)
- Industrial (Gears, Hydraulics, Etc.)
SAE (J300) Viscosity Classification

Example:

Distinguishes between winter and summer grades

15W-40

Winter Grades:
Winter Summer

Summer Grades:

0W 5W 10W 15W 20W 25W

Better low temperature properties

20 30 40 50 60
Higher viscosity
 SAE (Dec 99) Viscosity Grade

SAE LOW TEMP. CRANKING LOW TEMP. PUMPING VISCOSITY KV 100°C HIGH TEMPERATURE
GRADE VISCOSITY (CCS) (cP) (MRV), CENTIPOISE (cP) cSt at 150°C,(cP)

0W 6,200 cP max. at - 35°C 60,000 cP max at - 40°C 3.8 min

5W 6,600 cP max. at - 30°C 60,000 cP max at - 35°C 3.8 min

10W 7,000 cP max. at - 25°C 60,000 cP max at - 30°C 4.1min

15W 7,000 cP max. at - 20°C 60,000 cP max at - 25°C 5.6 min

20W 9,500 cP max. at - 15°C 60,000 cP max at - 20°C 5.6 min

25W 13,000 cP max. at - 10°C 60,000 cP max at - 15°C 9.3 min

20 5.6 - 9.3 2.6 min

30 9.3 - 12.5 2.9 min

40 (0W-40, 5W-40 and 10W-40 GRADES) 12.5 - 16.3 2.9 min

40 (15W-40, 20W-40, 25W-40 AND 40 GRADES) 12.5 - 16.3 3.7 min

50 16.3 - 21.9 3.7 min

60 21.9 - 26.1 3.7 min

SAE Viscosity Grade

Axle and Manual Transmissions

SAE Vis Grade Max Temp for Min Vis (cSt) Max Vis (cSt)
Vis@150,000 cP @ 100°C @ 100°C

70W -55 4.1 --

75W -40 4.1 --

80W -26 7.0 --

85W -12 11.0 --

90 -- 13.5 24.0

140 -- 24.0 41.0

250 -- 41.0 --
ISO VG Classification

ISO — International Standards ISO Viscosity Grade

Viscosity (cSt) @ 40 o C
Organisation Min Max
2 1.98 2.42

ISO Viscosity Grading 3 2.88 3.52
5 4.14 5.06
is the standard for Industrial 7 6.12 7.48
lubricants 10 9 11
15 13.5 16.5
22 19.8 24.2
32 28.8 35.2
46 41.4 50.6
68 61.2 74.8
100 90 110
150 135 165
220 198 242
320 288 352
460 414 506
680 612 748
1000 900 1100
1500 1350 1650
API Engine Oil Service Classification

API — American Petroleum Institute

Two Main Engine Oil Service Classifications
- API S: For Gasoline Fuelled Engines
- API C: For Diesel Fuelled Engines

API Energy Conserving (EC) Claims
- API EC: Up to 1.5% improvement in fuel economy
- API EC-II: Up to 2.7% improvement in fuel economy
API Classification for PVEO
SA Straight mineral oil
SB Antioxidant and anti-scuff
SC Deposit, corrosion, and wear protection
SD Improved overall protection vs SC
SE Improved overall protection vs SD
SF Improved antiwear/antioxidants vs SE
SG Improved deposit, oxidation, and sludge control
SH Improved overall performance vs SG
SJ Excellent protection of oxidation, and deposits
SL Improved overall vs SJ, FE retention
For older engines, very mild conditions,
not to be used unless specified by OEM
For older engines, very mild conditions,
not to be used unless specified by OEM
Gasoline engines 1964-67
Gasoline engines 1968-71
Gasoline engines 1972-79
Gasoline engines 1980-88
Gasoline engines 1989-1993
Gasoline engines 1994-1997
Gasoline engines 1997 onwards
Gasoline engines 2001 onward
 API Classification for PVEO
API Status Oil description Recommendation
Service
Category
CA Obsolete Some protection against bearing corrosion and ring belt deposits. Widely used in 1950s for light duty service in naturally aspirated
diesel engines with high quality fuels.
CB Obsolete Protection from bearing corrosion and ring belt deposits in naturally aspirated Widely used in 1950s for moderate duty service in naturally aspirated
diesel engines. diesel engines with poor quality fuels.
CC Obsolete Protection from low and high temperature deposits, bearing corrosion and rust.Oils introduced in 1961. Suitable for moderate to severe operation in
naturally aspirated, turbo and supercharged diesel engines.

CD Obsolete High protection against high temperature deposits, arising from the use of highOils introduced 1955. Suitable for severe duty in naturally aspirated,
sulphur fuels. Also provides protection from wear, and bearing corrosion. turbocharged and supercharged diesel engines with high sulphur
fuels.
CE Obsolete High protection against low and high temperature deposits, wear, rust, and For service typical of turbocharged or supercharged heavy duty
corrosion in all service conditions. Also provides protection from oil thickening.diesels manufactured since 19873 operating under high load and low
due to oil oxidation and soot formation. speed and low load and high speed conditions.

CF-4 Current Provides excellent protection towards piston deposits in modern engine For engines which were designed to meet 1991 US emissions
designs. Gives improved oil consumption relative to API CE oils. Additionally legislation. Suitable for modern turbocharged or supercharged
provides excellent resistance to oil thickening, bearing corrosion and wear. engines

CF-2 Current Exceeds the requirements of API CD-II by providing additional protection For service typical of modern two stroke engines manufactured since
against wear and deposit control. 1994.

CF Current New category designed to supersede API CD. Provides improved protection Suitable for severe duty in naturally aspirated, turbocharged and
towards high temperature piston deposits arising form the use of high sulphur supercharged diesel engines with high sulphur fuels.
fuel. Gives excellent bearing corrosion control.
CG-4 Current Provides excellent control of soot agglomeration, piston deposit formation and For engines which were designed to meet 1994 US emissions
wear in new low emission engines. legislation. Suitable for modern turbocharged or supercharged heavy
duty engines.
CH-4 Current CH-4 oils are superior in performance to those meeting CF-4 and CG-4 and For use in high-speed, four stroke diesel engines designed to meet
can effectively lubricate engines calling for those API categories. 1998 exhaust emissions standards. For use with diesel fuels
containing up to 0.5% sulphur.
API ‘C’ — Commercial, Diesel

API CI-4
The API diesel
categories have
API CH-4 evolved in a
confusing manner
in recent years !!

API CG-4

API CF API CF-2

API CF-4

API CE

API CD API CD II

INCREASING LIGHT DUTY, HEAVY DUTY HEAVY DUTY

PERFORMANCE HIGH SULPHUR FUEL 4 STROKE 2 STROKE
API ‘C’ — Commercial, Diesel
Date

1940 CA
ESSO Lubricants

CB
Basic Automotive 1999 - 16 -

1949

1955 CD
1961 CC
1984 CE CD II
1990 CF-4
1994 CG-4 CF CF-2
1998 CH-4
2002/Oct CI-4
ACEA Engine Oil Classification

ACEA = Association Des Constructeurs European D’Automobiles

ACEA A — Passenger Car (Gasoline)

ACEA B — Light Duty Diesel Engines

ACEA E — Heavy Duty Diesel Engines

European Engine Oil Service Classifications
E5
E4
D5 E3
E2
D4 E1
B5
B4
B3
B2
PD2
B1
A5
G5 A3
G4 A2
A1
 API Gear Oil Quality Level

API — American Petroleum Institute

API GL Ratings for Automotive Gear Oils

API Service
Status Description
Category
GL-1 Current Operation typical of spiral bevel and worm gears under mild conditions
Excludes fricion modifiers and EP additives.
GL-2 Current Service typical of moderate performance worm gears and axles
Includes antiwear.
GL-3 Current Service typical of spiral bevel gears and manual transmissions under
moderate speeds and loads. Mild EP oils.
GL-4 Current Typical of hypoid gears in automotive axles under high speed/low torque
and low speed/high torque.
GL-5 Current Typical of hypoid gears in automotive axles under high speed/low torque,
low speed/high torque and high speed/shock load.
MT-1 Current Non Synchronised transmissions
Comparative Viscosity Classifications

The chart below shows the relationship between some ISO viscosity
grades, SAE gear oil grades and SAE engine oil grades, and KV measured
at 100°C, cSt

22 46 100
Iso Viscosity
150 220 320 460
Grade
32 68

SAE Gear Oil

75W 80W 85W 90 140
Classification

5W
SAE Engine Oil
20 30 40 50
Classification
10W

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42
KINEMATIC VISCOSITY AT 100°C, Cst
Industrial Lubricant Classification

ISO Viscosity Grade

AGMA for Gear Oils

NLGI for Greases

Other General Classifications/Nomenclature
Classification types - Industrial

ISO

– International Standards Organisation

– classifies lubricants and related products
– one specific standard relates to the viscosity of industrial lubricants
• comprises series of viscosity grades (VG), based on kinematic viscosity at 40C
– Kv measured in mm2/sec (equivalent to cSt)

AGMA

– American Gear Manufacturers Association

– establishes standards of oxidation, high load carrying and improved demulsibility of
gear oils
– Describes viscosities of gear oils which conform to ISO VG
– Specifies also type of gear oil by performance tests and composition
– Four main classes of gear lubricants, R&O, EP, Compounded, Synthetic
AGMA Standards

AGMA — American Gear Manufacturers Association

AGMA specifications and performance requirements are for industrial gear
lubricants used in enclosed gear drives

Viscosity (cSt) @ 40 o C AGMA Reference

AGMA Lubricant Number
Min Max (Extreme Pressure)
1 41.4 50.6 -
2 61.2 74.8 2 EP
3 90 110 3 EP
4 135 165 4 EP
5 198 242 5 EP
6 288 352 6 EP
7 Comp 414 506 7 EP
8 Comp 612 748 8 EP
8A Comp 900 1100 -
Classification types – Industrial cont’

NLGI
– National Lubricating Grease Institute
– Identifies the consistency of grease
– Based on a worked (X60) cone penetration test at 25C

Other

– other classifications exist for more specific applications and environments

• DIN 51506:VB, VC, VD, VB-L, VC-L. VD-L (compressor oils)
• ISO 11158: HH, HL, HM, HV (hydraulic oils)
• New ASTM hydraulic oil classification system proposed, measuring viscosity
after oil has been sheared (ie to simulate pump action on lubricant)
• Various Equipment Builder standards/specifications etc
NLGI Grease Classification

-1
NLGI GRADE CONE PENETRATION*, mm CONSISTENCY
OOO 445-475 SEMI-FLUID
OO 400-430 SEMI-FLUID
O 355-385 VERY SOFT
1 310-340 SOFT
2 265-295 MEDIUM SOFT
3 220-250 MEDIUM
4 175-205 STIFF
5 130-160 VERY STIFF
6 85-115 BLOCK GREASE

* - Worked x 60 at 25°C
Other General Industrial Classification

Application Composition Basestock

Turbine Anti-wear Mineral

Hydraulic Extreme Pressure Synthetic

Compressor R&0

Gear Compounded

Open Gear Lube

Mist Oils
General nomenclature of industrial
oils

Straight Mineral Oils (Uninhibited)

– Usually base oils without additives

– However sometimes they may contain pour point depressants,

defoamers and demulsifiers etc.

– For low severity applications, eg hydrodynamic lubrication, and where

heat and contamination is not a problem

– Also for use in “once through” systems or where oil losses are high

– e.g. Flush oil

General nomenclature of industrial
oils

Rust and Oxidation Inhibited (R & O) Oils

– Oils containing rust and oxidation inhibiting additives

– For hydrodynamic lubrication at high temperatures

– Where extended oil life is required

– Where water contamination may be a problem

– Not for use where regular boundary or EP conditions occur

– e.g. Turbine oils , Circulating oils

General nomenclature of industrial
oils

Compounded (Comp) Oils

– Oils containing between 3-10% of a fatty material

e.g. Rapeseed, Lard oil

– They may also contain R & O inhibitors, defoamers, pour point

depressants etc.

– The fatty oils have a strong affinity for metal surfaces

– For use in boundary lubrication, and wet conditions

– e.g. Cylinder oil

General nomenclature of
industrial oils

Anti-Wear (AW) Oils

– Often also include anti-oxidants, rust inhibitors, etc.

– For boundary / mixed lubrication, where wear due to

operating conditions or loading is a problem

– Not for use where slow speeds / high loading, or shock-

loading occur

– e.g. Hydraulic oils , compressor oils

General nomenclature of
industrial oils

Extreme Pressure (EP) Oils
– Oils containing EP additives and often include other additives,
e.g. anti-oxidants, rust inhibitors
– For severe boundary lubrication, such as shock-loading or when
hydrodynamic lubrication cannot be maintained
– Not suitable for very high temperature applications due to the
thermal instability of the EP additive
– e.g. Gear Oils

Special oils
– Other specialist applications may require particular properties
– e.g. refrigeration oils, paper machine oils
General nomenclature of industrial
oils

Synthetic Oils
– Synthetic oils may be required in special applications
– There are many types of synthetic fluids, all have different
characteristics and properties
– e.g. esters (diesters, polyol esters, phosphate esters),
polyalphaolefins (PAO), polyalkylene glycols (PAG), alkyl
benzenes
– Advantages of synthetics may include:
• Longer oil life
• Improved cleanliness
• Reduced deposits
• Improved lubricity
• Better low and high temperature performance
• Fire resistance
Summary

At the completion of this module, participants should

be able to demonstrate an understanding of:

• The importance and variety of lubrication classification

systems in the European and U.S. markets
• Selected specifications of the SAE, API, AGMA ISO,
ACEA, ILSAC, and other classification systems
Thank You