Nynas Base oil knowledge tank

Results from a comprehensive Nynas study into the chemistry of semi-synthetic metalworking emulsions point formulators in the right direction when selecting components for metalworking fluids.

The most abundant metal element in the earth’s crust, about 41 million tons of aluminium are smelted each year. Used in a wide range of applications – from beverage cans to cars, boats and aircrafts and construction industry – this lightweight, highly conductive, reflective and non-toxic metal is a vital part of our everyday lives. Nynas newly released NYNAS® S 3B is the ideal base oil for aluminium cold rolling.

“Minimise the soap content and save both energy and lithium hydroxide!” is the rallying call to grease manufacturers from Nynas and Stratco scientists on the lookout for more environmentally friendly means of producing lubricating greases.

Naphthenic base oils work perfectly well in bentonite grease as long as producers make sure that they match the polarity of the oil to that of the bentonite. René Abrahams offers some advice to grease formulators.

NYNAS® T 600 enables grease formulators to save up to 50% of the lithium soap content. But the benefits offered by Nynas’ latest base oil don’t end there.

Dwindling Group I capacity spells problems for lubricant producers relying on bright stock and heavy neutrals for their products. Can naphthenics help balance supply and demand?

As sulfur holds the key to antioxidant behaviour in base oils, model studies help Nynas researchers realise how to improve the oxidation stability of the company’s lubricant base oils through the addition of sulfur-containing secondary antioxidants.

Insight from three industry experts.

Nynas is going even further to help customers overcome the shrinking supplies of Group I oil.

The base oil landscape has been going through rapid changes. As a result there is a global shortage of Group I oils. Nynas is proactively responding to the changing industry demands.

Metalworking fluids (MWF) are used to aid the process of metal machining, mainly by providing lubrication of the workpiece and tool, by providing cooling and corrosion protection.

Poor points for pour points? Well, not quite, but a Nynas study shows that pour points should be viewed with scepticism when picking a lubricant for cold climates.

Pär Wedin at Nynas proposes a shift from one point to another one, from aniline point to turbidity point. Now, standardisation bodies SIS and ISO are mulling over his proposal.

Recent studies show that the NYBASE™ range offers major benefits when used to replace paraffinic Group I oil in existing lube and grease formulations.

Metalworking fluids need to be based on oil with good solubility for additives. Tested under extreme conditions, naphthenic oil proves an excellent replacement for Group I oil.

Having left his native country Iran in 1979 to study in Sweden, Mehdi Fathi-Najafi first gained a degree in Chemical Engineering followed by a Licentiate in Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg. He then worked in the grease industry before joining Nynas in 2008. The company’s Grease Lab is his brainchild. Find out what is on Mehdi's mind.

With a viscosity of 150 cSt, the BT 150 from Nynas' Harburg refinery is an excellent choice for grease manufacturers. Offering an alternative to, for instance, the 750SUS oil used in the US grease market, this new naphthenic oil promises to save money and improve performance.

In a comparative study, Nynas researchers conclude that a heavy specialty oil is a viable alternative to bright stock in grease formulations. It is cost-effective and offers equivalent or better performance. The one drawback: it only comes in black.

An important choice in metalworking is high or low sulfur content. But with naphthenic base oils, you can choose freely which sulfur content you wish, dependent on the application.

Emulsions are used in metal working when cooling and lubrication are called for. The following review of factors governing the choice of emulsifier will, hopefully, guide you through the jungle of different types.

Rubber and lubricants need to come into contact with each other in many applications. But there are often problems with what is known as rubber "ageing": a deterioration of the properties of the rubber due to interactions between the rubber and the grease or base oils involved.

In the manufacture of grease, naphthenic base oils in most cases have great advantages compared with paraffinic oils. This is a generally recognised fact in many parts of the world. The basis for these advantages lies in the favourable solubility properties of naphthenic oils.

Our knowledge of what actually happens when grease lubrication is used has increased dramatically in the last ten years. The latest research gives a new view on how to formulate grease to optimise its effect under different conditions, not least when it comes to adapting the grease to the temperature a machine operates at.

Naphthenic base oils have long held a strong position in the metalworking fluids market – its better solubility and the ability to form stable emulsions give clear advantages over paraffinic base oils. The development of new additives for paraffinic oils has shortened Naphthenic's lead, however. Valentina Serra-Holm of Nynas R&D has conducted comparative studies to discover whether paraffin base oils have actually caught up. The answer is an emphatic no.

Corrosion costs billions every year which means that effective rust preventive agents are of great economic importance. Choosing the right oil is critical to the efficiency of a rust inhibitor. Research has shown that naphthenic oils are ideal for temporary rust preventive agents.

Wave after wave of Group I refinery closures are moving across the world. The demand calls for new solutions, and at the same time customers want longterm availability. To meet this demand Nynas has developed a full range of products that are designed to meet the characteristics and performance of Group I paraffinic oils.