Parafinincs

Good stability, used most commonly in hydraulic and production oils.

Napthenics

Oxidizes easily, most commonly used in cutting or soluble oils.

Aromatics

Used mostly in the manufacturing of plastics and rubber.

Viscosity

The thickness of the oil at a certain temperature.

Viscosity / Temperature

As temperature rises viscosity goes down.

Viscosity Index

The number to use relating to how well the lubricant will withstand high and low temperature extremes.

Oxidation Inhibitor

Reduces oil breakdown due to excessive heat.

Anti Wear Agents

Reduce the metaltometal contact, can withstand heavier loads.

Extreme Pressure Agents

Stronger than antiwear, for the heaviest of loads.

Rust Inhibitor

Prevent corrosion usually found in the EP oils and some others.

Adhesive Agents

Helps retain film strength uniformly on the metal surfaces.

Friction Modifier

General category of materials that apply to natural or synthetic fatty additives: They have two primary purposes:
1.) To increase the lubricity or slipperiness where friction coefficient may be needed.
2.) To improve fuel economy or for energy conservation.

Defoamant

Used to reduce bubbles in oils or for the rapid breakup of foam.

Viscosity Improvers

Added to oils that require a maintained viscosity at extremely high temperature ranges.

Pour Point Depressants

Added to oils that require the lowest temperatures to maintain fluidity or pourability and reduces wax buildup at these low temperatures.

Flash or Flame Depressants

Added to oils that are usually in mist or fog type oil bath lubrication systems or in fire resistant fluids. For example: For safety concerns near welding operations.

Dispersants

Suspends organic deterioration products to minimize them as harmful deposits and carries them to the filters.

Detergents

Added to clean carbon deposits and reduce acid levels in high sulfur fuels.

DeEmulsifiers

Added to oil where exposed to water to separate the water and added to help inhibit rust.

Drop Point Additives

These can raise the operating temperature of the grease where the thickeners will not separate from the oils. They also can control how easily the greases can be pumped through lines, systems and components. The higher the drop point, the higher the operating temperature.

Water Repulsion Additives

These are added to prevent the washing away of the lubricants in areas where water is present or exposed to in the systems or components.