Relevant ASTM test results are reported on AMSOIL product data bulletins
as "TYPICAL TECHNICAL PROPERTIES." Here is a guide to typical technical
properties for AMSOIL motor oils courtesy of AMSOIL INC.
KINEMATIC VISCOSITY: Test
Number & Name: ASTM D-445 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of
Transparent and Opaque Liquids Significance & Use: The proper operation of
equipment depends on the proper kinematic viscosity at operating temperature of
the oil used for its lubrication.
What it means: Kinematic viscosity is a measure of a liquid's flow under the
influence of gravity. It's handy to think of a lubricant's kinematic viscosity
as its "I.D. card." AMSOIL formulates its synthetic lubricants to tighter
viscosity limits than other manufacturers do, so AMSOIL synthetic lubricants'
kinematic viscosities are midrange, close to neither the high or the low limit.
That helps components work their best and helps the lubricants stay in grade.
VISCOSITY INDEX: Test Number and Name: ASTM D-2270 Standard Practice for
Calculating Viscosity Index from Kinematic Viscosity at 40 deg. C. and 100 deg.
C.
Significance & Use: Viscosity index
indicates how much of a lubricant's viscosity will change according to changes
in temperature between 40 deg. C (104 deg. F) and 100 deg. C (212 deg. F), which
roughly define the normal temperature range of most operations.
What it means: The smaller a lubricant's viscosity as a result of temperature
change, the higher that lubricant's viscosity index. High viscosity index
lubricants, such as AMSOIL products, protect better in operations with
temperature variations.
COLD CRANK SIMULATOR APPARENT VISCOSITY: Test Number & Name: ASTM D-2602 Standard Test Method for Apparent Viscosity of Engine Oils at Low Temperature Using the Cold-Cranking Simulator.
Significance & Use: Apparent viscosity has been established as a valid predictor of engine-cranking viscosities at specified low temperatures. Apparent viscosity depends on temperature and shear rate.
What it means: Cold cranking viscosity affects the startability of engines and other equipment in cold temperatures. Low cold cranking viscosities, such as those of AMSOIL synthetic lubricants, make for easier cold cranking and more dependable cold temperature starting.
BORDERLINE PUMPING TEMPERATURE: Test Number & Name: ASTM D-3829 Standard Test Method for Predicting the Borderline Pumping Temperature of Engine Oil.
Significance & Use: Borderline pumping temperature is a measure of the lowest temperature at which an engine oil can be continuously and adequately supplied to the components of an automotive engine.
What it means: The lower the borderline pumping temperature, the lower the temperature at which the engine is protected by circulating oil. AMSOIL synthetic motor oils' extremely low borderline pumping temperatures assure excellent low temperature protection.
POUR POINT: Test Number &
Name: ASTM D-97 Standard Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Oils
Significance and Use: The test determines the lowest temperature at which an oil
flows as the jar is tilted for a prescribed period. The pour point of an oil
indicates the lowest temperature at which an oil may be used in some
applications.
What it means: The lower the pour
point, the more useful the lubricant is in cold temperatures. AMSOIL synthetic
lubricants offer exceptionally low pour points.
FLASH AND FIRE POINTS: Test Number & Name: ASTM D-92 Standard Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland Open Cup.
Significance & Use: Flash point is the lowest temperature at which application of a flame causes specimen vapors to ignite. Flash point is used to assess the overall hazard of a material and is used in shipping and safety regulations to define "flammable" and "combustible" materials.
Fire point is the lowest temperature
at which a specimen sustains burning for five seconds.
What it means: Lubricants with high flash and fire points, such as AMSOIL
synthetic lubricants, are safer to use and transport than lubricants with lower
ones and have a greater high temperature operating range.
NOACK VOLATILITY: Test Number
& Name: ASTM D-5800 Determining the Evaporation Loss of Lubricating Oils (Noack's
Method)
Significance & Use: Test determines the evaporation loss of lubricating oils at
high temperature. Evaporation loss is particularly important to motor and
cylinder lubrication, due to the high temperature of these operations and the
tendency of evaporative loss to increase in high temperatures. Significant
evaporative loss of oil leads to excessive oil consumption and destructive
changes in oil properties.
What it means: Lubricants with low Noack scores, such as AMSOIL synthetic
lubricants, lose less to volatility than lubricants with higher scores. Low-loss
oil keep their original protective and performance qualities longer than
high-loss oils do, which keeps oil consumption low and fuel economy and
equipment protection high.
HIGH TEMPERATURE/HIGH SHEAR VISCOSITY: Test Number & Name: ASTM D-4683 Standard Test Method for Measuring Viscosity at High Temperature and High Shear Rate by Tapered Bearing Simulator.
Significance & Use: Viscosity at the
shear rate and temperature of this test is considered representative of the
condition encountered in the bearings of automotive engines in severe service.
Lubricant viscosity in the bearings of automotive engines in severe service is a
critical factor in bearing wear.
What it means: Lubricants with high scores, such as AMSOIL synthetic lubricants,
maintain their viscosity in high temperatures after exposure to high shear. That
means they continue to protect engine bearings even after exposure to severe
service conditions.
FOUR BALL WEAR TEST: Test
Number & Name: ASTM D-4172B Standard Test Method for Wear Preventive
Characteristics of Lubricating Fluid (Four-Ball Method)
Significance & Use: Test method determines the relative wear preventive
properties of lubricants in sliding contact under the test conditions. Lubricant
comparisons are made by comparing the average wear scars on three fixed balls
made by one ball in rotating contact with them in baths of the test lubricants.
What it means: The smaller the average wear scar, the better the protection.
AMSOIL synthetic lubricants deliver much smaller wear scars- and much better
protection- than other lubricants do.
The Four Ball Wear Test may be conducted at various levels of severity.
Independent laboratory testing shows AMSOIL Series 2000 and Series 3000 motor
oils' wear scars are significantly smaller than those of popular competitor oils
in extremely severe test conditions, making these oils ideal for extreme service
operations.
Summary: Compare Amsoil's synthetic lubricants technical properties with those of ANY other motor oil and you'll see exactly why we say....when you compare, there is simply no comparison. AMSOIL out performs them every time.