The first synthetic oil was developed by Germany during the Second World War because its access to crude oil was curtailed. The country’s annual synthetic oil production reached millions of tons by 1944.
Synthetic oil is designed to have a controlled molecular structure with predictable properties, using chemical compounds not originally present in petroleum-based crude oil.
Conventional petroleum-based oil is a complex mixture of naturally occurring hydrocarbons that aren’t as easily controlled by man.
Synthetic oil generally provides superior mechanical and chemical properties compared to conventional oil.
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Technical advantages of synthetic motor oil include:
- Better low and high temperature viscosity.
- Better chemical and shear stability.
- Less evaporative loss.
- Resistance to oxidation, thermal breakdown and sludge.
- Extended drain intervals means less oil waste.
- Improved fuel economy.
- Better lubrication on cold starts.
There are many types of synthetic oil. One is manufactured by converting carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and methane into liquid hydrocarbons of various forms.
Another form of synthetic oil is produced in Alberta by Syncrude. This facility removes highly viscous bitumen from oil sands and uses hydrogenation to turn it into high quality synthetic crude oil.
Semi-synthetic oils, or synthetic blends, are mixtures of conventional oil with less than 30 percent synthetic oil. They are intended to have some of the benefits of synthetic without the high cost of pure synthetic.
