TABLE 2-2. LUBRICANT ADDITIVES

NAVAIR 17-15-50.4

TM 38-301-4

T.O. 33-1-37-4

CGTO 33-1-37-4

NOTE

Commercially available automotive oil additives should not be used as supplements for

military specification oils since the additives may be incompatible and may result in a

partial or complete loss of vital oil characteristics. Problems such as increased pour

points, foaming tendencies, bearing wear, engine corrosion, and piston ring deposits

have been identified with additive misapplications, which have resulted in equipment

malfunction and damage.

(2) Each type of lubricant is formulated to meet a specific function and set of operating conditions.

The quality of the lubricant basestock and the intended application will dictate the need for a particular additive

type. Table 2-2 lists the various types of additives, which may be used, corresponding chemical compound types

and those chemical elements detectable by spectrometric analysis. Since numerous chemical compounds may

be used within each additive class, only general descriptions of additive compositions can be given. In many

cases, determination of the presence or absence of a specific additive can only be made through chemical

analysis. This is especially true if the additive is an organic compound and contains no unique chemical elements

other than the more common elements of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.

NOTE

Lubricant manufactures frequently use additives, which may be misinterpreted as

wear-metals during spectrometric analysis. An example of this is the use of copper as

and anti-oxidant.

TABLE 2-2. LUBRICANT ADDITIVES

Elements Detectable By

Additive Type

Chemical Type

Spectrometric Analysis

Antioxidant

Organic

None

Metallo-organic

Zn, Cu

Detergent

Metallo-organic

B, Ba, Mg, Na

Dispersant

Organic

None

Load-carrying

Organic

None

Metallo-organic

Corrosion inhibitor

Organic

None

Metallo-organic

VI improver

Organic

None

Anti-foam

Organic-silicone

Pour point depressant

Organic

None

2-6