Understand Metal Deactivators in One Article
In industrial production and daily life, the stable operation of various mechanical equipment relies on the protection of lubricating oil. Among the numerous additives in lubricating oil, metal deactivators play a crucial role. They are key to maintaining the performance of oil products and extending the service life of equipment.
What are Metal Deactivators?
Metal deactivators, also known as metal passivators or corrosion inhibitors, are a type of lubricating oil additive specifically designed to inhibit the catalytic effect of metals on oxidation and corrosion. In the actual use of oil products, as long as oxygen is present, the oil will gradually oxidize and deteriorate under the action of heat and light. Even if there are only trace amounts of metal ions such as copper and iron in the lubricating oil, these metal ions act like "accelerators" in chemical reactions, rapidly catalyzing the free - radical chain reaction during the oil oxidation process. This causes the oxidation rate of the oil to increase exponentially, leading to a series of adverse consequences, such as the formation of acidic substances, sludge, and precipitates. Acidic substances can directly corrode and wear metal parts, while sludge and precipitates can make the oil viscous, eventually causing problems such as piston ring sticking and oil passage blockage, seriously reducing the performance of the oil product. Therefore, effectively preventing the promoting effect of metal ions on oil oxidation is of great significance for lubricating oil.
The Action Mechanism of Metal Deactivators
The action mechanism of metal deactivators mainly manifests in two key aspects, which work in synergy to provide strong support for the stability of oil products and the protection of equipment.
Film forming Protection: Isolating the Reaction between Metal and Oil
The film forming effect of metal deactivators is one of the important ways they exert their functions. When metal deactivators are added to oil products and come into contact with metal components, a series of complex chemical reactions occur on the metal surface, resulting in the formation of a dense and uniform chemical film. This film is like a strong armor for the metal, separating the metal from various active components in the oil.
For example, on the metal parts of an automobile engine, the chemical film formed by metal deactivators can effectively block the direct contact between oxygen, sulfur and other substances in the oil and the metal under high temperature and high pressure environments, preventing metal ions from dissolving into the oil and thus inhibiting the catalytic effect of metal on oil oxidation. At the same time, this film also has excellent corrosion resistance and can resist the erosion of active sulfur, organic acids, and free radicals on the metal surface, comprehensively protecting the metal surface from damage and ensuring the normal operation of the engine.
Chelation Masking: Eliminating the Catalytic Activity of Metal Ions
Chelation is another important action mechanism of metal deactivators. Metal deactivator molecules contain special functional groups that can react specifically with metals and metal ions to form stable chelates. This chelation reaction is like putting "shackles" on metal ions, depriving them of their catalytic activity for oil oxidation.
In some industrial lubricating oils, when there are trace amounts of metal ions such as copper ions, they will accelerate the oxidation and deterioration of the oil. Metal deactivators, through chelation reactions with these metal ions, convert them into stable chelates that do not have catalytic activity, or react with precipitated metal ions to form insoluble substances, effectively masking the catalytic activity of metal ions and significantly reducing the adverse effects of metals on oil oxidation.
In practical applications, metal deactivators are rarely used alone and are usually used in coordination with antioxidants. This combined use not only produces a strong synergistic effect but also reduces the amount of antioxidants used while ensuring the effect, achieving a win - win situation of economic benefits and performance improvement.
The Application Fields of Metal Deactivators
With its excellent ability to inhibit the catalytic effect of metals or their ions on oxidation, metal deactivators are not only excellent antioxidants but also outstanding copper corrosion inhibitors, anti - wear agents, and rust inhibitors. Precisely because of this, it has been widely used in various oil products, mainly in two major fields: automotive lubricants and industrial lubricants (including greases).
-Gasoline Engine Oil: Adding an appropriate amount of metal deactivators to gasoline engine oil can significantly improve the oxidation stability of the oil product. This means that the oil is less likely to be oxidized during use, effectively extending the service life of the oil, reducing the frequency of oil changes, and lowering the equipment maintenance cost.
-Gear Oil: When applied to gear oil, metal deactivators can fully exert their anti wear performance, effectively reducing the friction and wear between gears. This not only improves the working efficiency of gears but also greatly extends the service life of gears, ensuring the stable operation of the gear transmission system.
-Internal Combustion Engine Oil: In internal combustion engine oil, metal deactivators can actively play a role in effectively improving the anti oxidation and anti corrosion performance of the oil. This is crucial for ensuring the normal operation of internal combustion engines in harsh working environments such as high temperatures and high pressures, and can significantly improve the reliability and durability of internal combustion engines.
The Synergistic Effect of the Compound of Metal Deactivators and Antioxidants
In practical applications, when phenolic and amine - type antioxidants are used in a binary compound, their antioxidant effect is significantly better than using only one type of antioxidant. When phenolic, amine - type antioxidants and metal deactivators are used in a ternary compound, the synergistic effect is even more remarkable.
For example, when 0.2% (mass fraction) of phenolic or amine - type antioxidant is added alone, the rotary oxygen bomb time is less than 150 min, and the Tost oxidation life is only 2000 h. When 0.1% (mass fraction) of phenolic antioxidant is compounded with 0.1% (mass fraction) of amine - type antioxidant, the rotary oxygen bomb time increases to 200 min, and the Tost oxidation life increases to 2800 h. When 0.1% (mass fraction) of phenolic antioxidant, 0.1% (mass fraction) of amine - type antioxidant, and 0.05% (mass fraction) of metal deactivator YMD are used in a ternary compound, the rotary oxygen bomb time and Tost oxidation life increase to more than 400 min and 3100 h respectively. This significant antioxidant synergistic effect fully demonstrates that a reasonable compound formula of additives can give full play to the advantages of various additives, effectively improve the antioxidant performance of oil products, extend the service life of oil products, and provide a more reliable guarantee for the stable operation of mechanical equipment.
The Price of Metal Deactivators
The price of Metal Deactivators depending on factors such as brand, specification, composition, and sales channels. If you are interested in Metal Deactivators, please feel free to contact us.
Supplier of Metal Deactivators
UNPChemicals is a professional supplier of high-quality and effective Metal Deactivators. We offer several remarkable products, namely Thiadiazole octyl mercaptan condensate DMTD-8,Thiadiazole tert-nonyl mercaptan condensate DMTD-9,Thiadiazole tert-dodecyl mercaptan condensate DMTD-12,Thiadiazole tert-dodecyl mercaptan condensate CSAIL T561,etc.
Thiadiazole octyl mercaptan condensate DMTD-8 is a liquid ash-free metal deactivator, which has extreme pressure and auxiliary antioxidant effects, and is widely used in various automotive and industrial lubricating oils and metal working fluids. At very low concentrations, it can effectively prevent the corrosion of active sulfur on copper and copper alloys, and its unique composition can also inhibit the corrosion of hydrogen sulfide.
Thiadiazole tert-nonyl mercaptan condensate, commercially known as DMTD-9, is an organosulfur compound carrying the CAS number 91648-65-6. As a lubricant, fuel or metalworking fluid additive, it demonstrates several key features that make it valuable in a variety of industrial and automotive applications.
Thiadiazole tert-dodecyl mercaptan condensate DMTD-12is a valuable lubricant additive, known for its ashless, extreme pressure, and oxidation resistance properties. Its ability to act as a metal deactivator makes it an effective choice for preventing corrosion and enhancing the performance and protection offered by automotive and industrial lubricants and metalworking fluids.
Thiadiazole tert-dodecyl mercaptan condensate CSAIL T561 is a liquid ashless metal deactivator with extreme pressure and oxidation resistance effects. Used for various automotive and industrial lubricating oils and metalworking fluid. At very low concentration, it can effectively prevent the corrosion of active sulfur on copper and copper alloys.
Professional Lubricant Additive Manufacturer
UNPChemicals, aka Luoyang Pacific United Petrochemical Co., Ltd., focuses on the application and development of special lubricating grease additives such as MODTC, MODTP, molybdenum amide, thiadiazole metal deactivators, and phosphate esters. With nearly 30 products in seven series, including extreme pressure anti-wear additives and special grease additives, it is a global manufacturer of special lubricating grease additives and a national high-tech enterprise with great influence and leading role in the industry. If you are looking for Lubricant Additive or technical information, feel free to contact UNPChemicals.