Difference between mineral oils and synthetic oils
Lubrication has gained substantial importance over the years due to the evolution of the automotive industry and original equipment components. In fact, lubrication ensures effective separation of friction surfaces by decreasing the risk of subsequent mechanical wear and tear.
The lubricants that are currently used are still mainly formulations made from mineral oils, but increasingly synthetic oils are taking a primary role.


Mineral oils and synthetic oils: the differences
Synthetic oils and mechanical oils differ in many ways, mainly we look at 6:
- Process of obtaining: Mineral oils are obtained through the process of petroleum distillation and are readily available in the market. Synthetic oils, on the other hand, are produced in the laboratory through synthetic processes from elemental chemical components and give rise to a large group of solutions differentiated from each other by different physicochemical properties and functions.
- Low-temperature performance: on the mineral oils page we have listed their best characteristics. In this case, however, we see that synthetic oils have greater resistance to low temperatures than mineral oils.
- Viscosity index or temperature viscosity coefficient: represents the ratio of viscosity at different temperatures, the higher its value, the less the oil viscosity varies with temperature. If we compare the different types of oils, we realize that for mineral oils the increase in viscosity as the temperature drops has a much faster course than for synthetic oils.
- Lubricating power at high temperatures and consequences on the lubricant: the increase in temperature at the friction point produces different effects on the fluid, such as: primary thermo-oxidation, secondary thermo-oxidation, viscosity reduction, evaporation, and lubricant film reduction. Each of these processes has a different time trigger and course so we can classify the two types of oils qualitatively. Taking all effects into account, the best performing oil remains synthetic.
- Compatibility with plastics and elastomers: sometimes the lubricating fluid if not compatible could cause possible undesirable reactions. The main phenomena that can occur are premature cracking, shattering, swelling, weight gain, and changes in hardness and mechanical properties.
- Lubricating film durability: large temperature fluctuations and friction lead to subsequent failure of lubricating fluid properties. Synthetic lubricants perform significantly better than mineral oils because they have greater resistance under continuous working conditions and at high temperatures.