The Petroleum Quality Institute of America
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March 20, 2013 - Test Results for API SN, SAE 5W-30, ILSAC GF-5 Motor Oils
SYNTHETICS Synthetics are typically considered the top line in motor oils. They comprise products formulated with superior base oils (API Group III, and/or polyalphaolefins, esters, and others), and additives. Synthetic motor oils are generally said to provide enhanced engine protection from wear and deposits, longer service intervals, superior high temperature operation and cold-flow properties, improved fuel economy, and other features and benefits. |
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Standards, shown in black below, are established by API, SAE and others. Ranges shown in green represent the high and low data for the 7 major brands of synthetic API SN ILSAC GF-5 tested. |
Royal Purple | Formula Shell | Super Tech | Auto Extra | NAPA | |
| PHYSICAL TESTS (click test for details) |
Standards/ranges-a |
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| TBN, mg KOH/g, (ASTM D2896) |
8.0 to
11.3 |
8.7 | 8.2 | 8.0 | 8.5 | 8.7 |
| Viscosity @ 100ºC, cSt, (ASTM D445) | 9.30 to 12.5 | 10.4 | 10.6 | 10.9 | 10.8 | 10.7 |
| Viscosity @ 40ºC, cSt, (ASTM D445) | 52.4 to 62.5 | 61.5 | 59.7 | 62.0 | 60.7 | 62.8 |
| Viscosity Index (ASTM D2270) | 161 to 171 | 159.0 | 170 | 168 | 170.0 | 161.0 |
| Viscosity @ -30ºC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293) | 6,600 Max | 5,562 | 3,998 | 4,576 | 4,431 | 5,411 |
| NOACK volatility, mass % loss, 1 hr, @ 250ºC (ASTM D5800) | 15 Max |
10.9 | 9.7 | 11.3 | 10.4 | 11.1 |
| Additives | ||||||
| Calcium, ppm | 764
to 2,648 |
2,161 | 2,185 | 2,367 | 2,116 | 2,100 |
| Magnesium, ppm | 7 to
1462 |
10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
| Phosphorus, ppm | 600 to
800 |
706 | 677 | 706 | 613 | 671 |
| Zinc, ppm | 821 to 987 | 837 | 839 | 838 | 827 | 820 |
| Molybdenum, ppm | <1 to 80 | <1 | 84 | 1 | <1 | <1 |
| Barium,ppm | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 |
| Additive and/or other | ||||||
| Boron, ppm |
2 to 255 |
1 | 245 | 198 | <1 | 2 |
| Silicon, ppm | 3 to
8 |
4 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
| Potassium, ppm | <5
to 6 |
5 | <5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Manganese, ppm | <1 |
<1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 |
| Titanium, ppm | <1
to 2 |
<1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 |
| Copper, ppm | <1 |
<1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 |
| Sodium, ppm | <5 to
461 |
468 | <5 | <5 | 472 | 465 |
| Vanadium, ppm | <1 |
<1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 |
| Contaminants | ||||||
| Silver, ppm | <1 |
<1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 |
| Aluminum, ppm | <1 to
3 |
<1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Chromium, ppm | <1 |
<1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 |
| Iron, ppm | <1
to 1 |
1 | <1 | <1 | 1 | 1 |
| Nickel, ppm | <1
|
<1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 |
| Lead, ppm | <1 |
<1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 |
| Antimony, ppm | <1 |
<1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 |
| Tin, ppm | <1 |
<1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 |
a- Standards, shown in black are established
by API, SAE and others. Ranges, shown in green, represent the high and
low data for the 7 major brands of synthetic API SN ILSAC GF-5
b-Test Method used for metal analysis is ASTM ASTM D5185. c- ASTM D5185-09 Reproducibility by Element.
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