Engine Oils with Esters

What makes engine oils with esters special?

Esters (fatty esters) are a synthetic product that can be part of up to three types of base oils:

• HYDRO CRACKED BASE (HC) – Hydro‑cracked base: not a fully synthetic product, as it is primarily a mineral oil that has undergone specific processing to achieve the desired properties of synthetic oils. These oils have a high lubricity coefficient but are more volatile than PAO.
• POLY ALPHA OLEFINS (PAO) – Poly Alpha Olefins: the most well‑known and popular base in synthetic and semi‑synthetic oils. It offers very good high‑temperature stability and low volatility.
• ESTER OILS – ESTERS: when used in base oils they make the oils optimal for application. They easily handle standard tasks and provide the best performance of engine oils, even under severe operating conditions.

Comparative table of the three types of base oils:

POLAR MOLECULES

Polarity of ester molecules (esters) ranges from moderate to very high. This means they possess an electrostatic charge due to the presence of opposite charges. Polarity of oils brings certain interesting properties:

• OILINESS

Polarity causes ester molecules to be attracted to positively charged metal surfaces. As a result, the molecules adhere to the metal surface, forming a durable film and sticking to it like a magnet.

This leads to a strong and durable film that provides excellent lubrication, reduces energy (fuel) consumption and extends the duration of high‑quality engine operation.

• POLARITY

The polarity of ester molecules attracts them to each other. Because of this, intermolecular attraction requires significantly more energy (temperature) to break the intermolecular bond in order to reach a gaseous state. As a result, the oil will retain viscosity at high temperatures. Additionally, the reduced amount loss oil due to evaporation.

• SOLVING PROPERTIES

The polarity of esters also makes them good solvents. This allows esters to dissolve and disperse impurities, such as oil combustion residues, side products that can remain as deposits of slag and sediments. These properties lead to a cleaner operation, and therefore a clean engine and transmission.

Esters and ester‑based compounds are used in the following Xenum products:

If you need a consultation or advice regarding your vehicle, contact Xenum Ukraine specialists.