What is a Synthetic Base Stock

Synthetic lubricants differ from conventional lubricants in the type of components used in the formulation. The major component in a synthetic lubricant is the synthetic base stock. Synthetic base stocks are produced from carefiilly-chosen and well-defined chemical compounds and by specific chemical reactions. The final base stocks are designed to have optimized properties and significantly improved performance features meeting specific equipment demands. The most commonly optimized properties are  

Pour point and low temperature viscosities. Many S5mthetic base stocks have low pour points, -30 to -70°C, and superior low-temperature viscosities. Combination of low pour and superior low-temperature viscosity ensures oil flow to critical engine parts during cold starting, thus, offering better lubrication and protection. Conventional mineral oils typically have pour points in the range of 0 to -20°C. Below these temperatures, wax crystallization and oil gelation can occur, which prevent the flow of lubricant to critical machine parts. 

Other properties, including friction coefficient, traction coefficient, biodegradability, resistance to radiation, etc. can be optimized for synthetic base stocks as required for their intended applications. 

Another early application that demanded the use of synthetic lubricants came in the mid-1960s during oil drilling in Alaska where conventional mineral oil lubricants solidified and could uot function in the severe Alaskan cold weather. Initially, a synthetic lubricant based on an alkylbenzene base stock of excellent low temperature flow properties was used in the field. This base stock was soon replaced by another base stock with better overall properties, namely polyalphaolefins (PAO). 

Since the early introduction of synthetic lubricants in automotive and industrial applications, many products from numerous companies have followed. The total synthetic lubricant market in 1998 amounted to about 200 million gallons/yr, approximately 2% of the total lubricant volume. However, it is estimated to grow at 5-10% per year, much higher than conventional lubricant (less than 2% per year). Although the volume of synthetic lubricants is relatively small compared to conventional lubricants, the overall economic impact from synthetic lubricants is much larger than just the volume number alone, since synthetic lubricants improve energy efficiency, productivity, reliability and reduce waste, etc. 

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