molybdenum additive is a special anti-wear, friction modifier that is commonly added to mineral and semi synthetic motor oil. This adds a layer of protection on the metal parts of your engine and helps eliminate those "tickling" sounds that come from underneath the hood - they are caused by metal-on-metal contact.

The Molybdenum atoms in this additive are sandwiched between layers of sulfur atoms and act as a lubricant that prevents metal surfaces from sliding together. As a result, this additive has some synergistic effects with other anti-wear additives, like zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP).

Friction Modifier Formulations

The friction modifying ability of MoDTC is influenced by the exchange between the molybdenum dithiocarbamate portion and the zinc dithiophosphate in ZDDP. This combination creates a complex molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) tribofilm on the metal surface.

Frictional performance of MoDTC is reduced in aged oils because of oxidative decomposition and hydrolytic instability. Casey used experimental blends of molybdenum esters and organic friction modifiers to increase the effectiveness of MoDTC in fresh oils.

In the study of Casey's work, she analyzed the oxidative stability and hydrolytic stability of a blend of molybdenum esters and molybdenum disulfide molecules. She found that the organic molybdenum esters could scavenge sulfur added to PCMOs from sources like ZDDP to form low-friction MoS2 films on the metal surfaces.

When tested in boundary lubrication conditions, molybdenum disulfide can significantly reduce frictional forces between metals by creating a tribofilm on each metal. However, when the frictional force is greater than that of the tribofilm, the MoS2 can decompose, releasing a layer of molybdenum dithiocarbamate and leaving an amorphous molybdenum disulfide coating on the metal.

A differential is a mechanical device that distributes power to the driven wheels. They come in a range of shapes and sizes, and can be found on almost all modern cars. A limited-slip differential (LSD) is the most common design and a good choice for track use, as it limits the amount of wheelspin when the engine is under heavy load, which can make a car snatchy on tight bends.

Friction Modifier Additives

Friction modifier additives are a type of fuel additive that reduces friction in key metal-to-metal contact points in engines and transmissions, thereby reducing wear, reducing energy loss, and improving the performance of lubricating oils. These additives are polar chemical compounds that have high affinity for metal surfaces and possess long alkyl chains.

They are usually soluble in the oil and bind to the surface of the friction pair by forming a physical or chemical reaction protective film on the metal surfaces. The molecules are arranged in rows perpendicular to the metal surfaces, and the polar end of each molecule adsorbs on the metal surface.

EP Additives

These are mainly compounds that contain sulphur and phosphorus which form a robust lubricating layer under severe load conditions. Boundary lubrication generates a higher temperature on the friction surface, which allows these compounds to form a semi-plastic deposit protection film. The adsorption layer is not easy to shear, so it protects the close-contact metal surface from being affected. The surface is therefore able to withstand high wear rates and raised damage, and this leads to lower friction coefficients in the friction pair.

zinc oil additive is an anti-wear agent that's especially useful for older engines. This is because they typically run at high speeds, so they need an additive that can withstand that pressure.

The best zinc oil additives provide a thin, durable, and flexible film of protection that helps to reduce friction between metal-to-metal lubrication points in the engine. When these two surfaces come into contact, they're exposed to a momentary increase in temperature, which causes them to form a temporary lubricant film that will help them to glide smoothly.

Older engines, including performance vehicles with flat tappet camshafts, need a zinc oil additive to protect the lifters and camshaft from wear that can occur at high engine speed. Luckily, there are several motor oils on the market that have formulated a specialized zinc replacement additive to provide this kind of protection.

When choosing an oil for your old car or hot rod, you'll need to look for a ZDDP level of between 1,000 ppm and 1,400 ppm and phosphorous content of similar levels as well. These are both important for ensuring that your classic vehicle stays protected during break-in and regular use.

Why Zinc is No Longer an Additive

Over the past 10 years, the industry has gradually phased out the addition of zinc and phosphorous in most engine oils because these compounds can cause carbon buildup and premature catalytic converter failure. The phosphorous in these additives also creates a bond with the mesh coating on catalytic converters, making them less effective at burning off contaminants.

what is friction modifier?

A friction modifier is an additive that reduces the amount of friction between two surfaces in engine oils and automatic transmission fluids. These products are used to help improve fuel economy and extend engine life.

Friction modifiers are commonly found in many different applications including aerospace, over-the-road and off-road transportation, food machinery, shipping and boating, metal shaping, and oil exploration and recovery. They are also important in industrial lubricants that require high operating temperatures and prevent rusting.

How does friction modifier work?

In general, friction modifiers are derived from low molecular weight, surface active oligomers and act as boundary lubrication agents. They prevent solid surfaces from coming into direct contact, which dramatically reduces friction and wear.

Among the most common friction modifiers in use are organic friction modifiers, oil soluble organomolybdenum friction modifiers and functionalised polymers [1]. They all have different properties that can be used to increase the performance of engine & transmission fluids by reducing boundary friction.

As engine lubricants continue to become more sophisticated, the need for robust friction modifiers has increased. This allows a wider range of components to operate in thin boundary lubrication conditions, which results in improved performance and efficiency. In addition, the use of temperature-dependent extreme pressure (EP) additives has become increasingly common in lubricants that create a more efficient operating environment by allowing metal parts to move under pressure without causing premature wear and damage.

moly grease uses include lubrication, protection and friction management. This solid lubricant is used to minimize friction between two metal surfaces and it also helps in smoothening out the working of gears and splines. It is a good choice for heavy load machineries and CV joints.

Low Friction: It is designed to minimize the friction in extreme pressure environments and enables reduced power consumption, lower heat generation and lessened oxidation. This reduces downtime and extends lubrication cycles.

Enhanced Anti-Wear: It reduces friction and shock loads that cause fretting of splined shafts, pivot pins and fifth wheels. It also protects components under boundary lubrication conditions where sliding or vibration action pushes the grease away from the contacting surface.

High Temperature: It is suited for extremely high temperatures required at ironworks, cement plants, etc. It is also recommended for swivel and shackle lubrication.

Lithium-Based: It contains a lithium base and a special formula of friction reducing molybdenum disulfide. This provides increased load capacity, better metal surface adhesion and reduced friction.

Waterproof: It seals out moisture and resists emulsification and washing off. This makes it a reliable solution for swivel and shackle applications where water ingress is a problem.

Multipurpose: It is suitable for a variety of lubrication applications and is formulated with a combination of paraffinic and non-paraffinic oils, polymers and shear stable synthetic thickeners. This formulation is further strengthened with a blend of lubricating solids such as graphite and molybdenum disulfide.

molybdenum disulfide spray provides a solid film lubricant that is ready to use in minutes. It forms a thin dry film of molybdenum disulfide with a low coefficient of friction and effective corrosion resistance.

It is a multi-purpose solid-lubricant that leaves a thin dry film of MoS2 on the desired surface. It is suitable for external components such as pre-preping bolts, chains, sprockets and cables and applications where no oil or liquid residue is desired.

This lubricant can be applied to a wide variety of surfaces, but is most commonly used to lubricate plain bearings, pins, cams and slides where a wet lubricant cannot be tolerated. This product has a temperature range of -50C to +450C and is non-carbonizing and resistant to water wash-off, making it ideal for lubricating in extreme temperatures and high pressures.

ROCOL - DRY FILM LUBRICANT is an aerosol high temperature solid film lubricant that contains micron-sized molybdenum disulfide. The molybdenum disulfide is bonded to a resin binding agent which forms a tough lubricant coating upon curing.

DRY FILM LUBRICANT dries rapidly to a hard black coating and adheres to most substrates, especially metal, with minimum surface preparation. It resists wear and abrasion, has high lubricity, is stable at extreme temperatures and pressures and provides anti-corrosion protection.

Molybdenum disulfide is the most widely used lubricant material for industrial purposes, it is a soft, crystalline form of sulfur which occurs naturally in granite. It is mined and refined to achieve purity suitable for lubricant use.

Friction and viscosity are the two intermolecular forces that come into play whenever relative motion occurs. The difference between them is that friction retards the movement of the surface, and viscosity retards the flow of liquid between the different layers.

The Force Between the Surfaces

In case of friction, if a ball is allowed to move on the surface then it moves some distance and stops after a certain time. This is because no surface is completely smooth and it has non-uniformities in its layers.

Similarly, when honey is spilled out of a jar then it flows through a small distance but the internal resistance created between the different layers of the honey slows down the motion of the honey. This is also the same case in which if an iron-ball falls into water then different lavers of water restrict the motion of the iron ball.

Viscosity and the Fluids

The internal resistive force between the layers of a fluid that is in motion is called viscosity. This internal resistance is a property of all fluids and it is measured by the cgs units.

PTFE gaskets are made from the synthetic fluoropolymer tetrafluoroethylene (PFTE), which is a completely carbon and fluorine-based material. It is a hydrophobic material that has one of the lowest coefficients of friction against any solid substance, making it an excellent choice for sealing and gasket applications.

Typical applications include seals in electrical motors, components, transformers and various electrical appliances that are subjected to high heat and wear. PTFE gaskets also provide excellent thermal insulation, able to resist temperature up to 500degF.

There are several types of PTFE sheet gaskets. These include Virgin grade PTFE, Filled PTFE and Expanded PTFE.

Virgin PTFE is a 100% pure form of Teflon that has never been processed into a shape or molded. It has the highest physical and electrical insulation properties and is ideal for chemical resistant seals and gaskets.

Filled PTFE is made by adding fillers to a standard Virgin PTFE base and is a versatile alternative for seals that require higher tensile strength. Fillers can be glass, graphite or carbon and each type has different benefits.

Expanded PTFE is a variant of PTFE that has been expanded to create uniform tension strength across the entire surface of the material. This results in a soft, conformable, and highly flexible material that can envelop irregular surfaces.

PTFE can be used in a wide range of applications, including compressors and food processing plants. It has outstanding temperature and chemical resistance and is FDA and AMS compliant.