When people think of construction machinery, the adjectives that come to mind are often “heavy-duty”, and “durable”. Both of these descriptors are appropriate, as most construction equipment is exposed to the elements on site while also being used for repetitive continuous work. This intense wear and tear calls for high-quality lubricants so that the need for constant maintenance is reduced and the machinery lasts longer.
A lubricant is a type of chemical used for smooth running of small as well as large equipment by enhancing efficiency of the equipment. The building & construction industry utilizes several equipment that require specialized lubrication to get rid of breakdowns and site stoppages. Continuous maintenance and lubrication of equipment in the construction sector is important to achieve long lifespan of equipment, its correct operation and high efficiency, and fuel savings.
Lubricants can be categorized in many different ways. One of the most common classifications is by the constituent base oil: mineral, synthetic or vegetable. Mineral oil, which is derived from crude oil, can be produced to a range of qualities associated with the oil’s refining process. Synthetics are man-made through a synthesizing process and come in a number of formulations with unique properties for their intended purpose. Vegetable base oils, which are derived from plant oils, represent a very small percentage of lubricants and are used primarily for renewable and environmental interests.
Vegetable oils in their natural form lack sufficient oxidative stability for lubricant use. Low oxidative stability means the oil will oxidize rather quickly during use if untreated, becoming thick and polymerizing to a plastic-like consistency. Chemical modification of vegetable oils and/or the use of antioxidants can address this problem, but it will increase the cost. Chemical modification may involve partial hydrogenation of the vegetable oil and a shifting of its fatty acids.
Mineral oils are the more conventional oils, that are popularly used in machinery today
are produced from refined crude oil but even after the refining process,
several compounds still remain such as oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen. These
compounds cause oxidation and acidity particularly at high temperatures and
even encourage the formation of sludge. In addition to these problems the
varying molecules in these lubricants have different shapes and these molecular
irregularities means greater friction within the oil itself which reduces the
oils efficiency and the overall efficiency of the machinery.
On the other hand, synthetic lubricants are developed in the laboratory via a lengthy procedure that removes any contaminants. The ultimate result is oil that is 100 percent pure and has a consistent molecular structure. Additionally, this highly specialized synthetic base stock oil is optimized for a variety of lubricating applications. These 100 percent pure synthetic base oils are resistant to the effects of extreme heat or cold, and they perform well under the most punishing and demanding circumstances imaginable.
Synthetics are engineered to meet targeted performance benchmarks, and a synthetic formula can be engineered for almost every combination of properties used in industry. The actual synthesis process and composition of additives is generally a commercial trade secret and will vary among producers.
There are several advantages that synthetic oils have over the conventional oils.
When exposed to certain conditions, conventional mineral oils are usually more prone to chemical degradation (oxidation) compared to synthetics. These harmful conditions include combustion by-products, fuel contamination, water contamination, metal particles, acids, pro-oxidants and extreme heat (e.g., from combustion). Exposure to these conditions commonly occurs in engines. Oil degradation can cause sludge, varnish or deposits, corrosion, viscosity change and impaired engine performance.
Synthetics have a naturally higher viscosity index. This means the viscosity changes less (more stable) as temperature changes during normal engine start-up and operating conditions. Viscosity is an important property of lubricants that produces the film thickness or clearance between metal surfaces that slide or rotate against each other. Without this film thickness, excessive friction and wear would occur.
At extremely low temperatures, it is more possible for mineral oils (compared to synthetics) to become so thick (high viscosity) that the oil is unpumpable or is unable to circulate effectively within the engine. Lack of oil circulation can cause lubricant starvation conditions and engine failure.
Synthetic engine oils are generally less volatile than mineral oils. This means there is less loss of the oil to the engine's exhaust stream causing atmospheric pollution. This could also mean less need for makeup oil between oil changes.
When engine temperatures rise too high it can cause the machine to explode or catch fire with the possible resultant risk of fatalities but certainly serious damage to equipment. In some instances this can be caused by poor lubrication of the moving parts. Synthetic oils have a distinct advantage here because they have higher flash point meaning that the temperature at which they can ignite is much higher than that of conventional oils thus contributing positively to safety.
Possibly the biggest advantage and the reason synthetic oil is so popular, is that it has a longer lifespan than conventional oil. So the recommended change interval for synthetic oil is longer than mineral oils.
Synthetics incorporate only the purest oil molecules, which are similar in size and shape. This results in decreased fluid friction, reduced drag on internal engine parts, and an increase in horsepower and torque. With better lubricated internal parts and reduced friction and wear, an increase in engine life can be expected. In addition, with decreased drag on the internal engine parts, the engine will run more efficiently, requiring less fuel to be consumed. A slight increase in fuel mileage is often seen when switching from a mineral oil to synthetic oil.
To sum up, the advantages of using synthetic engine oils include better low- and high-temperature viscosity performance at service temperature extremes, better (higher) Viscosity Index (VI), and chemical and shear stability. This also helps in decreasing the loss due to evaporation. It serves resistance to oxidation, thermal breakdown, and oil sludge problems and extended drain intervals, with the environmental benefit of less used oil waste generated. It provides better lubrication in extreme cold conditions. The use of synthetic oils promises possibly a longer engine life with superior protection against "ash" and other deposit formation in engine hot spots (in particular in turbochargers and superchargers) for less oil burn-off and reduced chances of damaging oil passageway clogging. The performance of construction vehicle is improved as net increase in horsepower and torque due to less internal drag on engine. Moreover, it can improve fuel efficiency.
