Comparative Study of the Quality of Automotive Engine Oils Being Marketed

국내 윤활관리 현황분석 및 품질 비교평가

We have evaluated the performance and some physical properties of 25 automotive engine oils (21 domestic and 5 imported products) which are purchased on the market to verify the API(American Petroleum Institute) or ILSAC(International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee) certification marks attached on the products and to determine the necessity of the quality control of the engine oils on the market. 12 test items are chosen according to API engine oil specification, which are flash point, pour point, cold cranking simulator apparent viscosity, pumping viscosity, gelation index, HTHS(High Temperature High Shear viscosity), foam, high temperature foam, filterability, volatility, high temperature deposit(TEOST), phosphorus content. We have found one product which did not meet the API specification on gelation index, one on HTHS, four on foam, and one on volatility, which implies that the quality control system is in need to check the fidelity of the certification marks attached on the engine oils being marketed. In addition, this works raises the necessity of the upgrade of the present Korean engine oil specification.