Preservative/Break-in Lubricating Oil

Surfaces Research is developing a top-treat to enhance MIL-PRF-2104 diesel engine oil with additional preservative properties of MIL-PRF-21260E. There are many logistic and economical advantages to the Army with this single oil approach. Our lubricant effectively eliminates preservative oil changes, and all oil changes can be made at 2104H extended drain intervals. Cost savings of several million dollars per year will be realized, at $0.5M for each 50-mile extension of drain interval for a fleet of 75,000 vehicles. This Phase II program continues our successful Phase I work, in which our top-treated 2104 oil had better 21260 properties than current preservative oils while maintaining CI-4 oxidative stability and wear-reducing properties. We will refine formulations for CI-4 lubricants and provide a fundamental surface chemistry rationale for additive selection and performance. We will demonstrate optimized formulations in HMMWV engine tests and age formulations in Army vehicles returned from service in Iraq at an Army storage facility. Phase II will provide lubricants and top-treats for U.S. Army and commercial applications. Oils from this program will be a major step toward the U.S. Army goal of a single fluid for engines, drive trains and transmissions, for tactical, combat and storage conditions.