NAUGALUBE® 438

Not really: Ageing of lubricants includes several steps, the first being a radical step, followed by reaction of the radicals with oxygen from air. That reaction step involving oxygen is a chemical oxidation and used therefore pars pro toto to name the whole process!

No: During the ageing process – so-called oxidation – the lubricants are oxidized without incineration or flames!

No: As the ageing process takes place even without flames antioxidants will not reduce the flammability or increase flash points!

There are three major types of antioxidants: Primary antioxidants – or radical scavengers - deactivate radicals before those could undergo the reaction with oxygen. Secondary antioxidants decompose the primary products from reaction of radicals with oxygen before those could react to new radicals and would multiply the number of latter. Tertiary antioxidants reduce the number of catalysts that might induce radical formation.

Lanxess offers all three types of antioxidants: Primary antioxidants – radical scavengers – could be found in the product lines Additin RC 7xxx and Naugalube. Secondary antioxidants are not found under ANTIOXIDANTS directly, but as sulfur carriers and dithiophosphates work as secondary antioxidants, those could be found in the product lines Additin RC 2xxx, Additin RC 30xx and Additin RC 6xxx. Tertiary antioxidants are not found under ANTIOXIDANTS directly, but as corrosion inhibitors for cobalt, copper and steel work as tertiary antioxidants, those could be found in the product lines Additin RC 4xxx and Additin RC 82xx!

When scavenging radicals primary antioxidants turn into chemical species that might absorb light of different frequencies. The lubricant appears in a complementary color. Discoloration means the antioxidants are at work.

No: Antioxidants reduce the velocity of ageing but cannot turn time back! Therefore, antioxidants must be added before radicals are generated and ageing started!