Basisölen

Basisölen refers to the base oil component of a lubricant. It is the fluid that carries additives and provides the primary lubricating properties, such as viscosity, film strength, and temperature performance. The term is used across industries from automotive to industrial machinery.

Basisölen can be of mineral origin or synthetic. Mineral base oils are derived from refined crude oil and are categorized by the API into Groups I, II and III based on refining level and performance; synthetic base oils include polyalphaolefins (PAO), esters, and other chemistries that can offer improved oxidative stability and low-temperature properties.

Properties: Key properties include kinematic viscosity at 40C and 100C, viscosity index, pour point, flash point, oxidation stability, and sulfur and aromatic content. These properties influence how the final lubricant behaves under load and temperature.

Production: Mineral basis oils are produced by refining crude oil through distillation, hydrofinishing, and dewaxing. Synthetic base oils are produced by dedicated chemical processes such as polymerization for PAO or esterification for esters.

Uses: They form the base of engine oils, gear oils, hydraulic fluids, turbine oils, and many specialty lubricants. Additives are mixed to achieve performance targets such as antioxidation, anti-wear, corrosion protection, and detergency.

Environmental and safety: Base oils may be designed to be low in toxicity and improved biodegradability for Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs); handling and disposal follow standard industrial hygiene and regulatory requirements. See also base oil, lubricant.