1. Performance Benefits with Synthetics
Improved energy efficiency
Wider operating temperature range
Increased design ratings
Reduced maintenance costs
Better reliability, safer operation
Enhanced environmental performance

2. Performance Benefits with Synthetics
1. Improved Energy Efficiency
Internal Combustion Engines
Lower viscosity with low volatility
Improved oxidation stability, less viscosity increase with oil aging
Better short trip fuel economy due to lower viscosity at low temperatures
Reduced contact losses due to low traction and lower pressure-viscosity coefficient
Gears
Lower mesh losses due to reduced traction
Lower viscous losses at low temperature

3. Lower Viscosity with Low Volatility
Polydecene base stocks have lower volatility than mineral oils 5 10 15 20 25 30 3 4 6 7 8 9 11
Polydecene
Mineral
Noack
Volatility
Kinematic Viscosity at 100C, cS
22%
13%
(% Loss at
250C, 1 hr)

4. Gear Mesh Loss Reduction with Low Traction Synthetics
Polydecene-based synthetics can improve efficiency of spur/helical gears by 0.5%/mesh
Mineral Oil
Polydecene
Slide-Roll
Ratio
Traction
Force -S +S
Range of Slide-Roll
Ratio in Spur Gear
Area between curves is
energy saved with low
traction synthetic lubes

5. Performance Benefits with Synthetics
2. Wider Operating Temperature Range
Better oxidative stability
Lower pour point, no wax
Less volatile
Higher VI
400
200
-40
-80
600
Mineral Oils
Polydecenes
Alkyl Aromatics
Diesters
Polyol Esters
Polyglycols
Phosphate esters
-20
100
-60
300
Celsius
Fahrenheit
Limited by
Starting Torque
Continuous
Service
Intermittent

6. Synthetics have Lower Pour Points
-10
-20
-30
-40
-50
-60
-70
-80 2 4 6 8 10 20 30 40 50
Mineral oil
Polydecene
Pour Point °C
KV at 100°C, cST

7. Increased Protection from High VI
High VI gives less viscosity loss as temperature increases
ISO VG
Temperature, °C 40
Mineral
Oil
High VI
Equivalent viscosity
Viscosity
Increased protection

8. Performance Benefits with Synthetics
3. Increased Design Ratings
Higher power, same life
Same power, longer life
Smaller unit, same power, same life
Enclosed - Low traction, higher loads before
Gearboxes scuffing/scoring
Traction Drives - Synthetic high traction fluids are
an enabling technology
Engines - Higher oxidative stability, less
deposits, lower volatility
Slow speed - High shear stable viscosity, still
gears/bearings fluid at low temperature

9. Traction and Worm Gear Efficiency
In worm gears, polydecene-based synthetics give 2-10% energy savings and permit increased thermal ratings
Mineral Oil
Polydecene
100 90 80 70 60 10 20 30 40 50
Worm Gear
Efficiency %
Reduction Ratio
Lower Traction

10. Traction Drives and Traction Fluids
Traction Drives need high shear strength fluids 5 10 15 20 25 30
100
200
300
400
500
Peak Contact Pressure, kpsi
Maximum Shear Stress, kpsi
Traction Fluids
PAG 1
Naphthenic
Paraffinic
PAO
SuperSyn
PAG 2
90C IN
OUT

11. Performance Benefits with Synthetics
4. Reduced Maintenance Costs
Longer oil life
Extended drain intervals
Lower disposal costs
Longer component life
Reduced wear
Reduced pitting
Improved cleanliness
No seasonal oil changes needed
Lower oil consumption
Less make-up needed

12. Performance Benefits with Synthetics
5. Better Reliability, Safer Operation
Aerospace needs, extreme conditions
Jet engines - high temperatures
Hydraulic systems - low temperatures
Space vehicles
vacuum
temperature extremes
inaccessible
Automobile racing
High loads and temperatures
Safety margin - coolant loss, low oil level
Fire-resistant hydraulic fluids

13. Performance Benefits with Synthetics
6. Enhanced environmental performance
Biodegradable base stocks
wider temperature range
more predictable performance
Lubricants for refrigeration systems which use non-ozone depleting refrigerants
Reduced volume of waste oil through extended drain capability
Potential for recovery and recycle

14. Conclusions
Mineral base stocks are average performers for many applications but not optimum.
Synthesis matches molecules plus the right additives with applications.
Synthetics must show an economic benefit or do what a mineral oil can not.
Economic benefits come from
Energy efficiency
Wider temperature range
Increased design ratings
Reduced maintenance
Reliability and safety.
Environmental performance.
Future developments will come from studies of structure-property relationships.