Croda Lubricants

Leading the way naturally

PerfadTM 3000 - Polymeric Organic
Friction Modifiers for Engine Oils

www.crodalubricants.com
Perfad 3000 Series – Polymeric Organic Friction Modifiers
Croda has developed a new range of organic friction modifiers based on polymer chemistry, Perfad 3000 and Perfad 3050.
Perfad 3000 and Perfad 3050 display an outstanding ability to reduce the coefficient of friction of engine oils to levels unachievable
with conventional organic friction modifiers which enables formulators to develop engine oils that improve fuel economy and reduce
emissions. Perfad 3000 and Perfad 3050 also demonstrate excellent film forming properties which offers the potential to reduce
engine wear and to improve engine durability.

Features and Benefits

The features and proven benefits of using Perfad 3000 and Perfad 3050 as a friction modifier in engine oil formulations include:
l Outstanding low coefficient of friction properties in boundary and mixed lubrication regimes
l Increased fuel economy in challenging GF-5 engine oil tests
l Based only on C, H and O, they do not contain sulphur, phosphorus or sulphated ash (SAPs)
l Increased oxidative stability compared to traditional organic friction modifiers providing improved in-service operation and longer life
l Protects surfaces and minimises wear by building durable lubricant films under boundary conditions
l Effective at low dose rates, typically 0.1%-0.5%

Typical Physical Properties

Perfad 3000 Perfad 3050

Physical form Viscous liquid Viscous liquid
Appearance Dark brown Dark brown
Dynamic viscosity at 40°C (mPa.s) 10640 114000
Dynamic viscosity at 60°C (mPa.s) 2730 23300
Dynamic viscosity at 80°C (mPa.s) 990 6690
Iodine value (gl/100g) 25 6.5
Acid value (mgKOH/g) 7.5 4
Density @ 20°C (g/ml) 0.97 0.97
Flash point (°C) 270 280
Pour point (°C) >21 >21
SAPS (%w/w) zero zero

Sample Availability
Perfad 3000 is available commercially as a 100% active product. Perfad 3050 is available commercially as a 70% active product sold
under the commercial trade name of Perfad 3057 (70% Perfad 3050:30% Priolube 3970). Samples of Perfad 3000 and Perfad 3057
are available for development/research.

Perfad 3000 Series – Outstanding Friction Reducing Properties

There are many ways to test the performance of friction modifiers, at Croda we use the Mini-Traction Machine (MTM) test rig to
measure coefficient of friction in the boundary and mixed lubrication regimes.
In order to demonstrate the outstanding friction reducing properties of Croda’s unique polymeric friction modifiers we have used four
formulation matrices:
l PAO 6 + organic friction modifiers
l Group III base oil + organic and metallic friction modifiers
l Top-treated passenger car engine oils
l Heavy duty diesel engine oil

Specific MTM test conditions are described in each section.

Polyalphaolefin (PAO 6) + Perfad 3000 Series Friction Modifiers
Perfad 3000 and Perfad 3050 were blended at 0.5% into a PAO 6 (90%)/ester (10% Priolube 3970) reference oil. The coefficient of
friction properties were determined at 40°C, 100°C and 150°C using the following test conditions:
l ¾” Ball on smooth disk
l ANSI 52100 Steel
l Load = 36N (1GPa contact pressure)
l Speed = 0-2m/s
l Slide/roll ratio (SRR) = 50%

Priolube 1407 (GMO) was used a reference friction modifier.

0.11 0.11
0.1 0.1
0.09 0.09
Coefficient of Friction

Coefficient of Friction
0.08 0.08
0.07 0.07
0.06 0.06
0.05 0.05
0.04 0.04
0.03 0.03
0.02 0.02
0.01 0.01
0 0
0.01 0.1 1 10 0.01 0.1 1 10
Speed (m/s) Speed (m/s)
PAO 6+10% P3970 + 0.5% Perfad 3050 PAO 6+10% P3970 + 0.5% Perfad 3050
+0.5% Perfad 3000 + 0.5% P1407 +0.5% Perfad 3000 + 0.5% P1407

Figure 1. Frictional properties at 40°C, 0.5% treat rate Figure 2. Frictional properties at 100°C, 0.5% treat rate

0.11
0.1
0.09
Coefficient of Friction

0.08
0.07
0.06
0.05
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0
0.01 0.1 1 10
Speed (m/s)
PAO 6+10% P3970 + 0.5% Perfad 3050
+0.5% Perfad 3000 + 0.5% P1407

Figure 3. Frictional properties at 150°C, 0.5% treat rate

At 40°C (figure 1) both Perfad 3000 and Perfad 3050 demonstrate

their effectiveness at reducing friction in the mixed lubrication
regime. At 100°C (figure 2) the performance of Perfad 3000
and Perfad 3050 becomes even more pronounced, easily
outperforming GMO in the boundary and mixed lubrication
regimes. At 150°C (figure 3) Perfad 3050 is the best of all the
organic friction modifiers, giving unequalled low friction in the
boundary and mixed lubrication regimes.
 Additive concentration also has a part to play in providing
0.1 optimum/cost effective formulation development. Whilst Perfad
0.09 3000 has been used to demonstrate the effect of treat-rate,
0.08 treat-rate vs. performance effects apply equally to Perfad 3050.
Coefficient of Friction

0.07
0.06 Perfad 3000 was added to the PAO 6/Priolube 3970 reference
0.05 oil at 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.5%, and tested according to the same
0.04 MTM profile described previously. At 40°C Perfad 3000 is
0.03 effective at a concentration as low as 0.1% (figure 4).
0.02
0.01 At 100°C (figure 5) 0.1% treat-rate is not high enough to
0 provide any significant improvement in the coefficient of friction
0.01 0.1 1 10 relative to the PAO 6/Priolube 3970 reference oil. A treat-rate
Speed (m/s)
of 0.2% provides friction reducing properties although a ‘bump’
Reference Oil 0.2% Perfad 3000
can clearly be observed at this treat-rate when transitioning from
0.1% Perfad 3000 0.5% Perfad 3000
mixed lubrication to boundary lubrication. A treat-rate of 0.5%
gives low coefficient of friction across the full speed range.
Figure 4. Perfad 3000 at 40°C, 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.5% treat-rates at 40°C

0.1 0.1
0.09 0.09
0.08 Coefficient of Friction 0.08
0.07 0.07
0.06 0.06
0.05 0.05
0.04 0.04
Coefficient of Friction

0.03 0.03
0.02 0.02
0.01 0.01
0 0
0.01 0.1 1 10 0.01 0.1 1 10
Speed (m/s) Speed (m/s)
Reference Oil 0.2% Perfad 3000 Reference Oil 0.2% Perfad 3000
0.1% Perfad 3000 0.5% Perfad 3000 0.1% Perfad 3000 0.5% Perfad 3000

Figure 5. Perfad 3000 at 100°C, 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.5% treat-rates Figure 6. Perfad 3000 at 150°C, 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.5% treat-rates

At 150°C (figure 6), Perfad 3000 is much more effective at reducing friction at 0.5% than the lower treat-rates of 0.2% and 0.1%.
It is very important when using Perfad 3000 and Perfad 3050 that the formulator investigates different treat-rates to ensure
maximum benefit can be gained from using Croda’s polymeric friction modifiers.

Group III Base Oil + Organic and Metallic Friction Modifiers

Group III has become the dominant base oil for low viscosity engine oils (OW and 5W). Group III base oils are more polar than PAO
base oils so do not necessarily require the use of esters as additive solubilisers, so we have not included Priolube 3970 in these
demonstration blends. In this phase of testing we have also included MoDTC as an inorganic friction modifier.
MTM tests have been conducted at a temperature of 135°C (this is sufficiently high to allow all the friction modifiers tested to be
activated) using the following test conditions:
l ¾” Ball on smooth disk
l ANSI 52100 Steel
l Load = 36N (1GPa contact pressure)
l Speed = 0-2m/s
l Slide/roll ratio (SRR) = 50%
Figure 7 shows that GMO does not provide any improvement in friction in the boundary regime compared to the Group III base oil but
it does help reduce friction in the mixed lubrication regime. The MoDTC friction modifier has been activated under these test conditions
and does provide a reduction in friction compared to the base oil.
Perfad 3000 and Perfad 3050 are highly active under these conditions and give a friction value of ~ 0.02 across the boundary and
mixed lubrication regimes, an outstandingly low value for any friction modifier under the conditions used in these tests.

0.12 100

0.1
Coefficient of Friction

Film Thickness (nm)

0.08

0.06 10

0.04

0.02

0 1
0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10
Speed (m/s) Speed (m/s)
Base Oil MoDTC P3050 Base Oil MoDTC P3050
GMO P3000 GMO P3000

Figure 7. Group III base oil + friction modifiers at 135°C Figure 8. Film thickness by ultra thin film interferometry at 135°C

Perfad 3000 and Perfad 3050 form films between moving surfaces and their film forming characteristics can be demonstrated using
a thin film interferometry test rig. Using this analytical technique (figure 8) we have been able to demonstrate that polymeric friction
modifiers such as Perfad 3000 and Perfad 3050 create thick, durable films, which is not the case for MoDTC and the Group III base
oil. Croda’s polymeric friction modifiers are unique in that they form stable, low friction films.

Top-Treated Passenger Car Engine Oils

Whilst the above tests are interesting in demonstrating the potential of Croda’s polymeric friction modifiers, they are simple formulations
and not representative of high performance engine oils. In order to demonstrate their potential in engine oils, Croda has top-treated
engine oils from a number of leading global engine oil manufacturers with 0.5% Perfad 3050. This test programme was designed to
show the effectiveness of polymeric friction modifiers in the presence of other surface active additives present in engine oils.
In testing the engine oils an initial Stribeck curve was produced using the following conditions:
l Applied load 36N (1.01 GPa Hertzian Pressure)
l Lubricant temperature 135ºC or 80°C
l Slide roll ratio (SRR) of 0.5
l Smooth disk
l Entrainment speeds between 0.005 m/s and 3.5 m/s
l No running-in profile, friction measured from high speed to low speed

A rubbing profile which involves contacting the ball and smooth disc at slow speeds for a period of 2 hours was then performed.
This rubbing profile allows the development of ZDDP films, which may not be formed when running an initial Stribeck curve. The test
conditions for the rubbing profile were:
l Applied load 36N (1.01 GPa Hertzian Pressure)
l Lubricant temperature 135°C or 80°C
l Slide roll ratio (SRR) of 0.5
l Entrainment speed 0.05m/s

A second Stribeck curve was produced after the rubbing profile was completed, using the standard protocol described above.
Shown overleaf are two examples of top-treated engine oils but similar performance can be observed with other leading engine oils.
Engine Oil A contains a Mo based friction modifier with Mo content measured at 136ppm. Engine Oil B is free of Mo friction modifier.
 0.14 0.14
0.12 0.12
Coefficient of Friction

Coefficient of Friction
0.1 0.1
0.08 0.08
0.06 0.06
0.04 0.04
0.02 0.02
0 0
1 10 100 1000 10000 1 10 100 1000 10000
Speed (mm/s) Speed (mm/s)
0 min rubbing +0.5% Perfad 3050 0 min rubbing 0 min rubbing +0.5% Perfad 3050 0 min rubbing
120 min rubbing +0.5% Perfad 3050 120 min rubbing 120 min rubbing +0.5% Perfad 3050 120 min rubbing

Figure 9. Engine oil A at 135°C (Zn 959ppm, P 1229ppm, Mo 136ppm) Figure 10. Engine oil B at 135°C (Zn 923ppm, P 1051ppm, Mo 5ppm)

In both figure 9 and figure 10, the initial friction curve for the engine oils shows lower friction than after two hours rubbing.
The ZDDP films have formed during the 2 hour rubbing profile, resulting in a rougher surface, thus extending the boundary regime.

The addition of Perfad 3050 to both engine oils has resulted

in a dramatic reduction in friction across the full speed range, 0.14
both initially and after the 2 hours rubbing profile, suggesting
0.12
that the polymeric films formed by the Perfad 3050 are stable
Coefficient of Friction

and provide low friction, even after ZDDP films have formed on 0.1
the metal surfaces. 0.08

In order to test the effectiveness of Perfad 3050 at lower 0.06

temperatures, tests were also carried out tests at 80°C. 0.04
In figure 11 it can be noticed that the engine oil B when 0.02
top-treated with Perfad 3050 shows very low friction when
0
measured initially and remains very low even after 2 hours 1 10 100 1000 10000
rubbing. For the untreated engine oil, it can be seen that the Speed (mm/s)
ZDDP film builds more slowly at lower temperatures but after 0 min rubbing +0.5% Perfad 3050 0 min rubbing
2 hours rubbing we see the familiar improvement in friction 120 min rubbing +0.5% Perfad 3050 120 min rubbing
resulting from the ZDDP film formation.
Figure 11. Engine oil B at 80°C (Zn 923ppm, P 1051ppm, Mo 5ppm)

Perfad 3050 has the potential to provide protective low friction films at lower temperatures than conventional friction modifiers,
inorganic friction modifiers and conventional ZDDP anti-wear additives.

Heavy Duty Diesel Engine Oil (HDDEO)

The following results look at organic polymeric friction modifier
performance in fully formulated heavy duty diesel engine oils. In 0.09
this formulation, we used Group II base oil as the base fluid and 0.08
chose to use Perfad 3050 as our example polymeric friction 0.07
Coefficient of Friction

modifier, testing at treat-rates of 0.5%, 1% and 2%. As before, 0.06

we have used Priolube 1407 as a reference for conventional 0.05
organic friction modifiers and tested at 40°C, 100°C and 0.04
150°C, using the following test conditions: 0.03
l ¾” Ball on smooth disk 0.02
l ANSI 52100 Steel
0.01
0
l Load = 36N (1GPa contact pressure) 0.01 0.1 1 10
l Speed = 0-2m/s Speed (m/s)
l Slide/roll ratio (SRR) = 50% 10W40 HDDEO 1% Perfad 3050 0.5% Priolube
0.5% Perfad 3050 2% Perfad 3050 1407
Whilst we have used Perfad 3050 in this example, similar
effects are feasible using Perfad 3000. Figure 12. Frictional properties of Perfad 3050 in a 10W40 HDDEO at 40°C
At 40°C (figure 12) the friction modifiers do not appear to
provide any benefit in the 10W40 HDDEO, at any concentration.
At 100°C (figure 13) it can be seen that GMO provides some reduction of friction compared to the 10W40 reference oil but Perfad
3050 is more effective at similar treat-rates, and provides even lower coefficient of friction at the higher dose-rates of 1% and 2%.

0.14 0.16
0.12 0.14
Coefficient of Friction

Coefficient of Friction
0.1 0.12
0.1
0.08
0.08
0.06
0.06
0.04
0.04
0.02 0.02
0 0
0.01 0.1 1 10 0.01 0.1 1 10
Speed (m/s) Speed (m/s)
10W40 HDDEO 1% Perfad 3050 0.5% Priolube 10W40 HDDEO 1% Perfad 3050 0.5% Priolube
0.5% Perfad 3050 2% Perfad 3050 1407 0.5% Perfad 3050 2% Perfad 3050 1407

Figure 13. Frictional properties of Perfad 3050 in a 10W40 HDDEO at 100°C Figure 14. Frictional properties of Perfad 3050 in a 10W40 HDDEO at 150°C

At 150°C (figure 14) we see that GMO and Perfad 3050 at 0.5% treat-rate give only a small decrease in friction compared to
the formulated HDDEO and that their performance is comparable. However, at the higher treat-rates of 1% and 2% Perfad 3050
continues to perform.

Formulating with Perfad 3000 and Perfad 3050

Perfad 3000 and Perfad 3050 are a new generation of SAPs free friction modifiers, exhibiting outstanding friction reducing
characteristics in base oils and in formulated engine oils. Perfad 3000 and Perfad 3050 offer the potential to reduce friction and
to contribute to both fuel efficiency improvements and in the reduction of emissions. Active at lower temperatures than conventional
friction modifiers, ZDDP and MoDTC they have the potential to reduce engine wear by acting synergistically with ZDDP and MoDTC.
Perfad 3000 and Perfad 3050 can be used effectively in the development of new engine oils but:
l Their effective use is dependent upon using other additives which are compatible and do not act antagonistically with Croda’s new
polymeric friction modifiers
l Components within some engine oils are surface active and can prevent the polymeric friction modifiers reaching the metal surfaces
and reducing the friction between moving parts
l Croda recommends testing Perfad 3000 and Perfad 3050 in a range of formulations to determine their suitability and effectiveness
l In formulating the engine oil, Croda recommends blending Perfad 3000 and Perfad 3050 with the most polar additives first before
blending into the less polar components, such as the base oil

Sales and technical support

With over 30 years experience of working with lubricant formulators, Croda’s global technical specialists are able to offer advice and
support in selecting the most effective products for your application. This, coupled with our extensive sales network, means we have
the ability to offer the broadest range of products. Make Croda your partner of choice.

Further information
For more detailed product information, regulatory status, MSDS and samples please contact your local Croda Sales Office or visit our
website www.crodalubricants.com. Alternatively, you can email us at lubricants@croda.com.
Non-warranty
The information in this publication is believed to be accurate and is given in good faith, but no representation or warranty as to its completeness or accuracy is
made. Suggestions for uses or applications are only opinions. Users are responsible for determining the suitability of these products for their own particular
purpose. No representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is made with respect to information or products including, without limitation, warranties of
merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of any third party patent or other intellectual property rights including, without limit, copyright,
trademark and designs. Any trademarks identified herein are trademarks of the Croda group of companies.
©2013 Croda Europe Ltd 06/13 LMB031v4