There are several chemical elements in lubricants, but there’s one of them that shines the most. And that is Boron. It gives life to the fuel so that our automotive engine continues to stay fit for a longer period.
So, what does boron do in engine oil?
Boron ensures higher lubricity of motor oil, reduction of friction, and lessening of engine noise while making the fluid more slippery so that the engine runs smoothly. It’s a metalloid used as a detergent, anti-wear, or extreme pressure additive in the lubricant.
The functions mentioned here are just the primary, it also has several unpopular benefits. Let’s explain how it works.
What's Inside:
Use Of Boron In Engine Oil
Boron is a metalloid element present in different formulations of lubricants. It’s mostly used in detergent additives. However, some of the antioxidants, extreme pressure agents, and anti-wear agents also contain the component.
It doesn’t stay as a whole in motor oil, rather comes in a compound. The common one is boric acid (BA) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN).
BA tends to form a triclinic crystal structure where the atoms of Boron, Oxygen, and Hydrogen are closely packed with one another in each layer. This helps the layers slide easily with each other to give the engine system effective lubrication. Not only is it eco-friendly but non-toxic too.
Meanwhile, hBN features noticeable tribological properties and can even retain lubrication up to 4532°F. It too has a crystal structure where Boron and Nitrogen atoms are covalently bonded to each other as well as other atoms. All these layers allow for ease of sliding.
The strength of the film they form is the reason why boron is important in motor oil.
Percentage Of Boron Additive In Motor Oil
The amount of boron may vary from one lubricant product to other. However, the standard level should be 4% of boric acid and 4% of hexagonal boron nitride. Studies consider it the optimum concentration ratio of boron compounds.
However, since the level of boron decreases as the motor oil is consumed, we may need to add the additive to make up for the loss. It’s also suggested we use such additives after an oil replacement if the new one lacks such an element.
Benefits Of Boron In Motor Oil
Now the main question. Is boron good in engine oil?
Yes, boron is good for engine oil since it gives us several benefits. Even researchers found that the element has reduced fuel consumption and increased power efficiency. They concluded that such additives can decrease friction, especially at low temps, low speeds, and high loads. So, let’s take a look at the strengths of boron here.
- Friction reduction by making the film more slippery.
- Formation of tribofilm to provide anti-wear benefits.
- Noticeable thermal-oxidative stability.
- Prevention of sludge formation and corrosion.
- Lubrication of moving parts at high temperatures.
- Low consumption of fuel.
Where Is Boron Used In An Engine?
Boron can be used in any kind of automotive machine. You can consider it for engines such as-
- Diesel
- Petrol
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which Boron Additive Should You Use?
Speedol F6 BOR can be an effective additive to consider for engine oil. In case your lubricant doesn’t have enough boron, it’d work to increase the performance of the fluid. Not only does it decrease friction and wear but also lessens consumption of oil, carbon dioxide emissions, and noise levels.
Moreover, it protects the moving parts against rust and corrosion while making sure the engine lasts and runs longer.
The product also lower engine oil temperature so that it works well with stability.
- Can Oil Additives Hurt My Engine?
No, additives like Boron compounds help increase the efficiency of motor oil. It ensures the lubricant does the job properly while keeping the engines in shape. However, the oil lacking additives can hurt your automotive engine. It’s because the fluid won’t be strong enough to give a shield between moving parts. As a result, the oil may become thinner and end up with increased friction and wear.
- What Are 4 Additives In Engine Oil?
Here are some of the additives commonly found in motor oil.
- Viscosity Index Improvers.
- Detergents.
- Antioxidants and Anti-wear agents.
- Corrosion Inhibitors.
Among these, boron is a common and efficient element present in detergents, anti-wear agents, and anti-oxidants. It keeps the engine well-lubricated while lessening friction.
Final Word
Lubricants contain several elements but boron seems to do most of the job. Starting from increasing the level of slipperiness and protection against heat to making the engine last longer, it gives different advantages.
Although most engine oils contain boron compounds, some may not have them. In such cases, you can buy boron additive products to mix with the oil. But before you do this, we’d suggest you talk to an expert regarding this or take the car to the service center.
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