With its essential functions being reducing friction, cooling, sealing, cleaning and serving as protection for different moving parts, engine oil call for keenness when selecting the right choice (Ploetner, Urban, Roth, Tay, & Habersetzer, 2018). While there are several types of engine oils, choosing the best match for one’s engine would ensure that the engines would work at their best. Additionally, since each type of oil presents its own advantages and disadvantages, it can, at times, be hard to select the best and often, those who do not take time to consider the facts end up selecting the cheapest in the list (Flight Mechanic, n.d.). With this in mind, it is imperative to conduct an analysis of the characteristics of the SAE 50 (or W100) type, which is a type of Ashless Dispersant Oil, present its benefits, and ultimately why it’s the best option for the company.
Composition
To provide a better analysis of the oil type, the Aeroshell Oil W100 was selected to provide a clear perspective of the benefits. The Aeroshell Oil W100 is an Ashless dispersant oil specifically developed for aviation piston engines. Being an Ashless Depressant, it is ideally a special blend of high-quality mineral oil and synthetic hydrocarbons. It is specifically formulated for multigrade applications. It is composed of DMSO-extract according to IP346 (Flight Mechanic, n.d.). It also has small amounts of pour points depressant which essentially improves its fluidity at very low temperatures. This helps in improving the general efficiency of the oil. Additionally, the oil has an added element which acts as a rust inhibitor (Flight Mechanic, n.d.). This ensures that while moisture may still diffuse through both the oil later and the rust inhibitor layer, it will take longer due to the water-repelling nature of the additive. This offers the engine components greater protection against rust.
Viscosity
Although Mineral and AD oils are selected due to their viscosity, the SAE 50 does not disappoint in this aspect. Viscosity, being a measure of resistance flow and dependent on temperature, ensures that there is sufficient protection of the engine components (Flight Mechanic, n.d.). The SAE 50 has a viscosity index of 94 and above, which helps ensure that the aircraft will perform reliably between overhauls. Additionally, the high viscosity index implies that the oil will perform better than most in the temperate regions where the company mostly operates (De Rivas, Vivancos, Ordieres-Meré, & Capuz-Rizo, 2017). For better performance, it is the recommended type.
Application
One of the applications of the SAE 50 includes aiding in seat piston rings in new cylinders especially during engine break-in. Due to its multi-viscosity properties, it is effective in seating piston rings by effectively lubricating the parts. This reduces the temperatures between the cylinder and the engine bore (De Rivas et al., 2017). The oil also enables planes to be used in warmer regions where the company mostly operates, which makes it a great option for the company to consider (Ploetner et al., 2018). With the presence of the rust inhibitor, the oil can not only be used as a lubricator and other basic uses, but can also be used as a rust inhibitor to protect the engines and generally improve efficiency.
Benefits
Engine oil has additional benefits which place it at an advantage over other oils, making it a highly recommended option. For instance, the oil ensures protection from rust and corrosion to engines that may be susceptible to extreme rusting when the aircraft is not in use (Ruley, 2013). Secondly, since most of the engines the company’s planes use are Lycoming engines, the oil removes the need for supplemental additives required (Ruley, 2013). With this, the oil also ensures that engine cleanliness is maintained at its best, therefore, ensuring better performance and efficiency. Due to its high viscosity, the oil maintains and protects engine components more effectively especially under high shear stresses (Ruley, 2013). Moreover, with the polymeric additives mostly added to the oil, harmful combustion chamber and spark plug deposits that form during normal operations are eliminated. This improves the general performance, efficiency, and lifespan of the engine (Ruley, 2013).
In conclusion, the SAE 50 AD oil is the best option the company can take. While there exist different types of oils in the market, this specific type offers a great balance between the benefits all the others have and less of the disadvantages that come with others. Additionally, due to its unique composition and characteristics, it is the best oil in the market that can be applied to the current engines that most of the company’s planes have. As an addition, the Aeroshell oil W100 contains a very specific balance of the components that improve the engines performance, durability and efficiency and is highly recommended that the board considers it as one of their best options in this regard.
- De Rivas, B. L., Vivancos, J., Ordieres-Meré, J., & Capuz-Rizo, S. F. (2017). Determination of the total acid number (TAN) of used mineral oils in aviation engines by FTIR using regression models. Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems, 160, 32-39.
- Flight Mechanic. (n.d.). Requirements and characteristics of reciprocating engine lubricants (part two) specific gravity. Retrieved from http://www.flight-mechanic.com/requirements-and-characteristics-of-reciprocating-engine-lubricants-specific-gravity/
- Ploetner, K. O., Urban, M., Roth, A., Tay, G., & Habersetzer, A. (2018). Fulfilling long-term emission reduction goals in aviation by alternative fuel options: An evolutionary approach. 2018 Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference, 423(2), 3990-4007.
- Ruley, J. D. (2013, May 7). There’s more to oil than you think! Retrieved from https://www.planeandpilotmag.com/article/theres-more-to-oil-than-you-think/
