Petroleum Quality Institute of America

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) is an independent resource for information and insights on the quality and performance of lubricants in the marketplace.  Our mission is to serve the consumer of lubricants by reporting on the quality and integrity of lubricants in the marketplace.

 

 

 

 

 
 

PETROLEUM QUALITY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA TEST PROGRAM

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) is an independent resource for information and insights on the quality of lubricants in the marketplace. Our mission is to serve the consumer of lubricants by randomly sampling and independently testing lubricants taken from the field. Test results are posted along with the brand names on the PQIA website. Although laboratory tests alone cannot be used to establish if engine oil meets an API Service Category, they can be used to determine if it doesn't.

 

 

Royal Purple® Synthetic Oil 5W-30 API SN ILSAC GF-5
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Royal Purple

Royal Purple Inc., Porter, TX

 

Purchased at: Wal-Mart, Edison, NJ

Date of purchase: 1-25-2013

 

 

The results of the tests conducted on this sample meet the requirements of an API SN, ILSAC GF-5, SAE 5W-30 engine oil.
PHYSICAL TESTS Standard/ranges-b Average-e Royal Purple
 TBN, mg KOH/g, (ASTM D2896) 6.1 to 8.3 9.2 8.7
 Viscosity @ 100ºC, cSt, (ASTM D445) 9.3 to 12.5 10.5 10.4
 Viscosity @ 40ºC, cSt, ASTM D445 55.8 to 65.2 58.4 61.5
 Viscosity Index (ASTM D2270) 156 to 169 167.4 159.0
 Viscosity @ -30ºC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293) 6,600 Max 4,487 5,562
 Volatility, mass % loss, 1 hr, @ 250ºC (ASTM D5800) 15 Max 9.9 10.9
ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS-c      
Additives
    Calcium 1,570 to 2,460 1,996 2,161
    Magnesium, ppm 6 to 46 327 10
    Phosphorus,  ppm 600 to 800 691 706
    Zinc, ppm 766 to 868 861 837
    Molybdenum,  ppm <1 to 269 62 <1
    Barium, ppm <1 <1 <1
 
    Boron,  ppm <1 to 237 86 1
    Silicon,  ppm-d 3 to 9 6 4
    Potassium, ppm 9 to 17 6 5
    Manganese, ppm <1 <1 <1
    Titanium, ppm <1 to 114 <1 <1
    Copper, ppm <1 <1 <1
    Sodium, ppm 5 to 454 66 468
    Vanadium, ppm <1 <1 <1
Contaminants
    Silver, ppm <1 <1 <1
    Aluminum, ppm <1 to 3 1 <1 
    Chromium, ppm <1 <1 <1
    Iron, ppm <1 to 1 <1 1
    Nickel, ppm <1 <1 <1
    Lead, ppm <1 <1 <1
    Antimony, ppm <1 <1 <1
    Tin, ppm <1 <1 <1

a- Click here for product label.

b- Standards, shown in yellow 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 in February 2013.

c-Test Method for metal analysis is ASTM ASTM D5185.

d- Although silicon is used as an antifoam additive in lubricants, concentrations above 7ppm have been linked to contamination from abrasive material,

e- Average of the 7 major brands of synthetic API SN ILSAC GF-5 tested in February 2013.

 

  
Royal Purple 5W-30, API SN

The American Petroleum Institute sets forth a number of laboratory and engine tests required to meet their performance specification. Although laboratory tests alone cannot be used to establish if an engine oil meets API specifications they can be used to determine if it doesn't.

 

  
Viscometrics

The viscometrics meet the required targets for a 5W-30.

Viscosity @ 100șC, cSt, (ASTM D445)
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  Viscosity @ -30șC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293)
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Click here for more on chart and Viscosity@100șC,cSt             Click here for more on chart and Viscosity @ -30șC

 
   
Volatility Phosphorus
   
The volatility meets the requirements for an API SN ILSAC GF-5 designation.
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  The phosphorus content meets the requirements
for an API SN ILSAC GF-5 designation.
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Click here for more on chart and Volatilty Click here for more on chart and phosphorus
   
FRONT AND BACK LABELS FROM PRODUCT TESTED