Motor oil
Motor oil
Motor oil (pronunciation: /ˈmoʊtər ɔɪl/), also known as engine oil or engine lubricant, is a substance used for lubrication of various internal combustion engines. The main function of motor oil is to reduce friction and wear on moving parts and to clean the engine from sludge and varnish. It also neutralizes acids that originate from fuel and from oxidation of the lubricant, improves sealing of piston rings, and cools the engine by carrying heat away from moving parts.
Etymology
The term "motor oil" is derived from the Latin word "motor" meaning "mover", and the Greek word "elaion" meaning "oil". The combination of these words signifies the oil's primary function as a lubricant for engines or "movers".
Types of Motor Oil
There are several types of motor oil, each with its own benefits and uses. These include:
- Mineral oil: This is the base oil derived directly from crude oil. It offers good lubrication at high temperatures and high loads.
- Synthetic oil: This is a lubricant consisting of chemical compounds that are artificially made. Synthetic oil generally provides superior mechanical and chemical properties than those found in traditional mineral oils.
- Semi-synthetic oil: This is a blend of mineral oil and synthetic oil, with no more than 30% synthetic oil, which offers many of the benefits of synthetic oil without the cost.
- Bio-based motor oil: This is derived from various vegetable oils, such as corn, rapeseed, or sunflower oils. It is biodegradable and non-toxic, making it environmentally friendly.
Related Terms
- Viscosity: This is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow. It describes the internal friction of a moving fluid. A fluid with large viscosity resists motion because its molecular makeup gives it a lot of internal friction.
- Lubricant: This is a substance, usually organic, introduced to reduce friction between surfaces in mutual contact, which ultimately reduces the heat generated when the surfaces move.
- Engine: This is a machine designed to convert one form of energy into mechanical energy. In the context of motor oil, it refers to internal combustion engines that power vehicles and other machines.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Motor oil
- Wikipedia's article - Motor oil
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski