MolaKule
Staff member
by permission of the author, Molekule
Another reader sent me some excellent questions about sodium showing up in formulations and I thought some notes here might clarify the source of this "Sodium Epic"
and to help us to explain the appearance of sodium when a new analysis thread pops up about sodium and alternative detergents.
Also please read http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=530321#Post530321 Post 530330
Just as compounds of Titanium, Boron, Molybdenum, and Antimony are replacing high levels of ZDDP as Anti-wear (AW) agents, sodium and even potassium metal compounds are being used as alternatives or adjuncts to calcium compounds.
Some of the past formula's in diesel oils made extensive use of calcium/magesium compounds as detergents/dispersants and a few still do.
Magnesium is harder than either sodium or calcium and thus leaves a more tenacious ash than does the softer calcium, potassium and sodium.
Similar to Calcium, Sodium is another soft metal, a highly reactive alkali metal, that is showing up in many formulations these days as additions to calcium compounds. Many formulators are using the sodium packages as co-detergents.
Just a calcium detergents are either of the the calcium sulfonate or calcium salicyillate type, sodium detergents can also be sodium sulfonates or sodium salicyillates.
There are other compounds of sodium that are also useful as oil additives and which may be part of the Performance Improvement (basic PI additive package) as well. These may contribute to the sodium readings found in many oil analysies
Sodium 2-mercaptobenzothiazole can be used as a metal deactivator to keep metals from reacting with other compounds, and to help retard oxidation.
Some sodium compounds such as sodium dibutyl dithiocarbamate SDDC) are used as another anti-wear agent in lieu of conventional AW compounds. SDDC shows a low fricton coefficient with good polarity since being a dithio-type compound, has sulfur atoms for polarity enhancement.
Note: I predict the many forms of dibutyl dithiocarbamate's in ashless form will dominate the AW agent market in the future, and these will not show up in a $30.00 VOA or UOA's.
The bottom line is, which detergent is used in a formulation depends mainly on market forces such as the availability of a certain type in the market place. This does not imply that a formulation is better or worse or that you, the consumer is being shortchanged.
Another reader sent me some excellent questions about sodium showing up in formulations and I thought some notes here might clarify the source of this "Sodium Epic"
Also please read http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=530321#Post530321 Post 530330
Just as compounds of Titanium, Boron, Molybdenum, and Antimony are replacing high levels of ZDDP as Anti-wear (AW) agents, sodium and even potassium metal compounds are being used as alternatives or adjuncts to calcium compounds.
Some of the past formula's in diesel oils made extensive use of calcium/magesium compounds as detergents/dispersants and a few still do.
Magnesium is harder than either sodium or calcium and thus leaves a more tenacious ash than does the softer calcium, potassium and sodium.
Similar to Calcium, Sodium is another soft metal, a highly reactive alkali metal, that is showing up in many formulations these days as additions to calcium compounds. Many formulators are using the sodium packages as co-detergents.
Just a calcium detergents are either of the the calcium sulfonate or calcium salicyillate type, sodium detergents can also be sodium sulfonates or sodium salicyillates.
There are other compounds of sodium that are also useful as oil additives and which may be part of the Performance Improvement (basic PI additive package) as well. These may contribute to the sodium readings found in many oil analysies
Sodium 2-mercaptobenzothiazole can be used as a metal deactivator to keep metals from reacting with other compounds, and to help retard oxidation.
Some sodium compounds such as sodium dibutyl dithiocarbamate SDDC) are used as another anti-wear agent in lieu of conventional AW compounds. SDDC shows a low fricton coefficient with good polarity since being a dithio-type compound, has sulfur atoms for polarity enhancement.
Note: I predict the many forms of dibutyl dithiocarbamate's in ashless form will dominate the AW agent market in the future, and these will not show up in a $30.00 VOA or UOA's.
The bottom line is, which detergent is used in a formulation depends mainly on market forces such as the availability of a certain type in the market place. This does not imply that a formulation is better or worse or that you, the consumer is being shortchanged.
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