How to determine Group II, III or IV

[Drew7a]

Not sure if this is the correct area to post this or not so I apologize in advance if I posted this in the wrong place.

I was looking at MSDS for ST 0w-20

Based on the MSDS I looked at the two primary components listed:

C20-C50 Hydrotreated neutral oil RN:72623-87-1

and

Distillates (Petroleum), hydrotreated heavy paraffinic RN 62742-54-7

based on:

Machinery Lubrication Base Oil Groups


The NIH website refers the two substances listed as Hydrotreated which according to the to the Machinery lubrication website are part of Group II. Are Group III's supposed to be Hydrocracked will the CAS registry specifically say hydrocracked?


Thanks!

 

[kschachn]

Originally Posted by Drew7a
The NIH website refers the two substances listed as Hydrotreated which according to the to the Machinery lubrication website are part of Group II. Are Group III's supposed to be Hydrocracked will the CAS registry specifically say hydrocracked?

As always in these numerous and repeat threads on base stocks, it is important to remember that the base stock Group designations are not intended to describe or delineate finished oils but to provide interchange information for manufacturers and blenders. A good place to start is API 1509 Appendix E which is referenced in the Machinery Lubrication article you link.

https://www.api.org/~/media/Files/Certification/Engine-Oil-Diesel/Publications/AnnE-REV-09-20-19.pdf

API notes that there is not only one way to meet the requirements of a particular Group, especially with Groups I--III:

Quote
Base stocks may be manufactured using a variety of different processes including but not limited to distillation, solvent refining, hydrogen processing, oligomerization, esterification, and rerefining.

So as you can see, a Group III base stock is not defined by the method of production but rather by distinct physical properties that are detailed in API 1509 Appendix E. The remainder of the Group designations (IV and V) are described in the same document but are of a different nature than the first three Group types.

As an aside the way you determine the performance of a formulated motor oil is by the specifications, approvals and certifications the oil meets. Base stock may contribute to all of those but it is not a substitute.

 

[benjy]

it seems information on oil blends-aka whats in them are harder to figure as the blenders want their advertising to do the talking + i for one shun lack of info being wanting to hide something. Amsoil comes to mind as in the past they touted their use of PAO, but these days they are tight lipped + answer few if any questions about formulations hence I DON"T use or buy from them anymore!! i don't expect trade secrets but others like redline are more open + you can talk to a real person as well about their excellent products