Lubricants' history spans thousands of years, reflecting humanity's ingenuity in addressing issues of friction, wear, and machinery efficiency. Lubricants are an almost invisible yet essential component of our civilization and have a systemic impact on the efficiency of manufacturing processes and mobility.
Early humans likely discovered that it was easier to move logs stripped of bark because the sap ooze from the wood provided natural lubrication.1 It is generally believed that they utilized water in rolling and sliding mechanisms. For instance, ancient Egyptians used water as a lubricant when transporting heavy stones, as depicted in paintings from Saqqara (circa 2400 BC) and El-Bersheh (circa 1800 BC). 2
With the invention of the wheel and axle, there was a greater need for lubrication. Evidence suggests that the earliest known use of calcium soaps occurred in the wheels and axles of Egyptian chariots. Further innovation took place in China, where friction-reducing mixtures of vegetable oils and lead were developed. The first historical mention of lard being used as a lubricant for axles was recorded by Pliny the Elder in his work, *Historia Naturalis*3.
It is believed that the Vikings began using whale oil to lubricate the hinges and rudder axes of their sails during the late Iron Age 4. During the medieval period, basic greases were utilized for various applications, including water mills and tool maintenance.
The Industrial Revolution brought significant advancements in petroleum processing, notably with the invention of vacuum distillation in 1866. This innovation marked the shift of petroleum becoming the primary source of lubrication. Refined oils provided superior performance for steam engines and industrial machinery.
In the 20th century, the lubricant industry experienced numerous breakthroughs, particularly with the development of solvent refining techniques and additives. Solvent refining involves removing most aromatics and undesirable components from oil distillates through liquid extraction. Additives, on the other hand, are chemical compounds that enhance the performance of base oils. Depending on their formulation, these additives can possess properties such as antioxidant, antifoaming, anticorrosion, or detergent characteristics. These innovations led to the introduction of synthetic lubricants, as well as bio-based and biodegradable materials in 1950. Synthetic lubricants outperformed natural oils in extreme temperatures and durability, effectively meeting the growing demands of the automotive, aviation, and aerospace industries.
Further advancements have been marked by the introduction of hydroprocessing and hydromerisation technologies. Hydroprocessing utilizes techniques, such as hydrotreating, which involves adding hydrogen to the base oil at temperatures above 315°C and pressures above 500 psi in the presence of a catalyst. This removes impurities, stabilizes the most reactive components in the base oil, improves colour and increases the useful life of the base oil. On the other hand, hydroisomerization transforms a molecule into different isomers in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst, resulting in a high-quality base oil.
The 21st-century global growth, driven by innovation in green and digital technologies, has prompted the need for continuous advancements in servitisation, re-refining, and biobased lubricants. Further developments in biobased metalworking fluids, engine oils for vessels operating in hot climates or the remote control of additives and consumption are some examples of ingenuity and dedication to improvement.
Early humans likely discovered that it was easier to move logs stripped of bark because the sap ooze from the wood provided natural lubrication.1 It is generally believed that they utilized water in rolling and sliding mechanisms. For instance, ancient Egyptians used water as a lubricant when transporting heavy stones, as depicted in paintings from Saqqara (circa 2400 BC) and El-Bersheh (circa 1800 BC). 2
With the invention of the wheel and axle, there was a greater need for lubrication. Evidence suggests that the earliest known use of calcium soaps occurred in the wheels and axles of Egyptian chariots. Further innovation took place in China, where friction-reducing mixtures of vegetable oils and lead were developed. The first historical mention of lard being used as a lubricant for axles was recorded by Pliny the Elder in his work, *Historia Naturalis*3.
It is believed that the Vikings began using whale oil to lubricate the hinges and rudder axes of their sails during the late Iron Age 4. During the medieval period, basic greases were utilized for various applications, including water mills and tool maintenance.
The Industrial Revolution brought significant advancements in petroleum processing, notably with the invention of vacuum distillation in 1866. This innovation marked the shift of petroleum becoming the primary source of lubrication. Refined oils provided superior performance for steam engines and industrial machinery.
In the 20th century, the lubricant industry experienced numerous breakthroughs, particularly with the development of solvent refining techniques and additives. Solvent refining involves removing most aromatics and undesirable components from oil distillates through liquid extraction. Additives, on the other hand, are chemical compounds that enhance the performance of base oils. Depending on their formulation, these additives can possess properties such as antioxidant, antifoaming, anticorrosion, or detergent characteristics. These innovations led to the introduction of synthetic lubricants, as well as bio-based and biodegradable materials in 1950. Synthetic lubricants outperformed natural oils in extreme temperatures and durability, effectively meeting the growing demands of the automotive, aviation, and aerospace industries.
Further advancements have been marked by the introduction of hydroprocessing and hydromerisation technologies. Hydroprocessing utilizes techniques, such as hydrotreating, which involves adding hydrogen to the base oil at temperatures above 315°C and pressures above 500 psi in the presence of a catalyst. This removes impurities, stabilizes the most reactive components in the base oil, improves colour and increases the useful life of the base oil. On the other hand, hydroisomerization transforms a molecule into different isomers in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst, resulting in a high-quality base oil.
The 21st-century global growth, driven by innovation in green and digital technologies, has prompted the need for continuous advancements in servitisation, re-refining, and biobased lubricants. Further developments in biobased metalworking fluids, engine oils for vessels operating in hot climates or the remote control of additives and consumption are some examples of ingenuity and dedication to improvement.
- Anderson, K.J. A History of Lubricants. MRS Bulletin 16, 69 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1557/S0883769400055895
- Michael Nosonovsky, Oil as a Lubricant in the Ancient Middle East, Tribology Online, 2007, Volume 2, Issue 2, Pages 44-49, Released on J-STAGE April 15, 2007, Online ISSN 1881-2198, https://doi.org/10.2474/trol.2.44, https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/trol/2/2/2_2_44/_article/-char/en
- Pliny de Elder, Historia Naturalis, Book XXVII, Chap. 37 – The various uses of fat and observations upon it
- Hennius, Andreas, Ljungkvist, John, Ashby, Steve orcid.org/0000-0003-1420-2108 et al. (5 more authors) (2022) Late Iron Age Whaling in Scandinavia. Journal of Maritime Archaeology. ISSN 1557-2293 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11457-022-09349-w
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