BO · Base Oils
Base oils, by group and grade.
The base-fluid families that go into finished lubricants.
Overview
Start with classification. Confirm with the data sheet.
A base-oil group is a classification, not a complete purchasing specification. It helps narrow the field; the required viscosity, property profile, application and approved technical document determine the grade that belongs in the enquiry.
The range below keeps those decisions separate. API Groups I to III, naphthenic oils, bright stock and synthetic fluids remain visible as distinct families, while exact product values stay with the reviewed TDS and batch-specific COA.
How the range is organised
Choose the family. Then confirm the grade.
Use the family name to narrow the requirement, then use the reviewed TDS to confirm the exact grade. API grouping provides context; it does not replace viscosity, application and property review.
Classification, not availability — the groups below are the classification system; the products currently in the catalogue are listed above.
Classified onSaturates · Sulfur · Viscosity index — axes only; boundary values belong to the standard, grade values to the data sheet.
| Group | Classification | Published grades |
|---|---|---|
| Group I | API base-stock group | SN 150 · SN 350 · SN 500 · SN 650 |
| Group II | API base-stock group | — |
| Group III | API base-stock group | — |
| Naphthenic | — | — |
| Bright Stock | — | BS 150 |
| Synthetics | — | PAO · Ester · PAG |
| Virgin & re-refined | — | — |
Group descriptions
Group I
The mineral base-oil route carrying this catalogue's SN 150, SN 350, SN 500 and SN 650 designations. Select the SN grade by the required viscosity and the approved TDS—not by group name alone.
Group II
A distinct API base-stock group commonly considered for automotive and industrial lubricant formulation. Available viscosity grades and property limits are confirmed against the requirement.
Group III
The API group defined by a viscosity index of 120 or higher together with the Group III saturates and sulfur boundaries. The group label does not replace grade-level technical review.
Naphthenic
A separate base-oil family used where characteristics such as solvency and low-temperature behaviour matter to the formulation brief. Suitability is assessed against the intended application and TDS.
Bright Stock
A high-viscosity base-stock family represented in the published range by BS 150. Confirm the required viscosity profile, blend role and handling conditions in the enquiry.
Synthetics
Three chemically distinct synthetic-fluid families are published here. PAO is identified as API Group IV; ester and PAG sit within the broader Group V definition and must be selected by chemistry and application, not as interchangeable labels.
Virgin & re-refined
This is a supply-route distinction across the range, not an additional API group. API grouping follows analysed properties rather than the manufacturing route alone; availability is confirmed grade by grade.
Key specifications
The six properties that define the technical review.
Use these fields to compare a requirement with a candidate grade. Values shown on a SAM TDS describe that grade; results on the COA describe the supplied batch.
Typical values are not published on this page. They are issued in the Technical Data Sheet, which needs no form.
- 01Kinematic viscositymm²/sThe starting point for matching fluid thickness at a stated temperature.
- 02Viscosity indexIndicates how viscosity changes as temperature changes.
- 03Flash point°CA handling and application reference that must be read with its test method.
- 04Pour point°CSupports review of low-temperature flow requirements.
- 05ColourA reported appearance property, not a standalone measure of performance.
- 06Densitykg/m³Supports mass–volume conversion and supply calculations at a stated condition.
Test methods for this axis are pending technical review.
How values are confirmed
Use the property set above to define the enquiry. Exact typical values and test methods are issued in the reviewed TDS for the selected grade; the supplied batch is then identified against its COA.
Applications
Where a base stock goes next.
Base oils are formulation inputs. Use these linked product families to move from a base-stock requirement toward the finished lubricant or specialty-fluid context it must support.
Input
BO
Base Oils
One input, 4 published destinations.
Engine Oils & Automotive Lubricants
Finished engine and automotive lubricant requirements, organised by vehicle and duty.
- Passenger cars
- Trucks & buses
- Motorcycle & ATV
- Agriculture
- Construction & mining
Industrial Oils & Lubricants
Industrial lubricant requirements, organised by equipment and operating duty.
- Hydraulic
- Gear
- Compressor
- Cutting & metalworking
- Heat transfer
- Industrial greases
Marine Oils & Lubricants
Marine lubricant requirements for propulsion, engine-room and deck systems.
- TPEO
- Cylinder oils
- System oils
- Stern tube & gear oils
- Marine greases
Lubricant Additives & Components
Related additive-package and specialty-component routes used to complete or extend a formulation brief.
- Transformer oil
- White oil
- Rubber process oil
Processing & quality
Quality evidence follows the grade and the batch.
The selected grade is reviewed against its technical property set. Incoming, in-process and outgoing checks keep the material, process and released batch connected to the documentation used for the enquiry.
- 01
Incoming
Material is tested on arrival, before it enters the process.
- 02
In-process
Testing runs during processing rather than only at the end of it.
- 03
Outgoing
The batch is tested again before release, and the result is the Certificate of Analysis issued with it.
Named process
Thin Film Evaporation
A short-residence-time vacuum step in which base stock is processed as a thin evaporating film. Its role for the selected grade is confirmed during technical review.
Batch qualification06
- Kinematic viscosity
- Viscosity index
- Flash point
- Pour point
- Colour
- Density
Which of these are run in-house and which are run at a partner laboratory is stated on Quality & Certifications, not here. Quality & Certifications
Packaging & supply
Define the grade, pack and delivery basis together.
A workable quotation connects the selected base-oil grade with quantity, packaging, destination and Incoterm. Available combinations are confirmed against the complete enquiry.
- Bulk
- Flexitank
- Drums
- IBC
- Pails & retail packs
- Customized
Include the required quantity, preferred packaging and named destination. Minimum quantity, lead time and payment terms are then confirmed in the quotation for that specific supply route.
Quoted against04
- 01EXW
- 02FOB
- 03CFR
- 04CIF
Increasing seller responsibility, top to bottom. Which one applies is settled in the quotation, not here.
Documentation
Know which document answers which question.
Use the TDS to review typical grade properties, the SDS for safe handling information and the COA to review the released batch. Document availability follows the published product record.
- TDSTechnical Data SheetTypical grade properties and referenced test conditionsNo form
- SDSSafety Data SheetHazards, handling, storage and transport informationNo form
- COACertificate of AnalysisReleased-batch results from outgoing reviewNo form
- CataloguesCompany and product catalogues use the catalogue-request route on the Products page; grade and batch documents remain associated with the relevant product record.Open
Questions
Asked before an enquiry.
Find answers to common questions before discussing your requirements with our team.
Can I read the specifications before making an enquiry?
Published product records provide their available Technical and Safety Data Sheets without a catalogue-request form. Use the TDS for typical grade values and the SDS for handling information.
Is a sample available before committing to an order?
Yes. For base oils a sample is issued at the first stage of an enquiry, before any commitment.
Is a Certificate of Analysis issued for every batch?
The COA records the outgoing results for the released batch. It should be read as batch evidence, while the TDS remains the reference for typical grade properties.
Are re-refined grades published as well as virgin?
Both are in this category's published taxonomy. Which designations are available on which basis is confirmed against an enquiry rather than listed here.
Can a stock be supplied to a specification we provide?
Start with the published range when an existing grade fits. If the requirement needs a different property target or formulation route, submit the specification through Customized Solutions for technical review.
Next step
Can't find exactly what you need?
The range above is what we publish. Formulation to a customer brief is a route of its own, and a sample is the first stage of it.