Base Oils that typically have high solvency and are used in a variety of applications including hydraulic, bearing lubricants and gear oils.
Typical Group I Base Oil Specifications
Group I Base Oils Overview
Group I base oils are the least refined oils among the five API categories and are primarily produced using solvent refining processes. They are often referred to as conventional base oils due to their traditional production methods. Despite their lower performance compared to modern base oils, they are still widely used in certain applications due to their cost-effectiveness.
Key Characteristics
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Chemical Composition:
- Saturates Content: Less than 90%.
- Sulfur Content: More than 0.03%.
- Viscosity Index (VI): Ranges between 80 and 120.
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Physical Properties:
- Darker in color due to higher impurities.
- Lower oxidation stability compared to Groups II and III.
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Production Process:
- Extracted from crude oil using solvent refining.
- Involves steps like solvent extraction, dewaxing, and hydrofinishing to remove impurities and improve properties.
Advantages
- Cost-Effective: Least expensive to produce and widely available.
- Versatile Applications: Suitable for lubricants in older machinery or systems with moderate performance requirements.
- Wide Availability: Represents a large share of global lubricant production.
Disadvantages
- Lower Oxidative Stability: Prone to sludge and deposit formation in high-temperature applications.
- Inconsistent Quality: Performance can vary due to less refining.
- Environmental Concerns: Higher sulfur content leads to greater environmental impact.
Applications
- Industrial Uses:
- Hydraulic oils, industrial greases, and process oils.
- Automotive Applications:
- Older engines or applications where stringent performance criteria are not required.
- Marine Lubricants:
- For stationary and marine engines under less demanding operating conditions.
Comparison with Other Base Oils
- Group II: More refined, lower sulfur content, and better oxidation resistance.
- Group III: Higher viscosity index and performance for modern engines.
- Group IV and V: Fully synthetic, with specialized and superior properties.
For further information and detailed specifications, please contact us.
Please note: Colour of base oil will vary according to source and refinery process.
