Hydrocrack base oil – Refined base for modern lubricants
Hydrocracked base oil (also known as HC oil) is a highly refined mineral base oil that is obtained from crude oil through the hydrocracking process. The hydrocarbon molecules are chemically converted by high pressure, temperature and hydrogen, resulting in a particularly pure, oxidation-stable and thermally resilient base oil.
What makes hydrocracked base oils so efficient?
In lubricant production, the base oil used is decisive for the quality of the end product. Hydrocrack oils combine the advantages of synthetic oils with the economy of mineral base oils. They are clear in color, resistant to aging, have a uniform molecular structure and offer excellent low-temperature and high-temperature performance.
BASINOL engine and transmission oils use API Group III hydrocracked base oils – ideal for use in modern engines that require stable lubrication combined with high fuel efficiency.
How does hydrocracked base oil differ from fully synthetic oil?
Fully synthetic oils (Group IV, e.g. PAO) are based on artificially produced molecular chains, while hydrocracked oils are produced by chemically refining mineral oil. In practice, high-quality HC oils are often equivalent or even better matched – especially in everyday applications. Many modern “synthetic oils” on the market are based on hydrocracked base oil, as they offer excellent value for money.
Is hydrocracked oil suitable for modern engines?
Absolutely. Thanks to their strong oxidation stability, low evaporation losses and good cold flow properties, HC oils are ideal for modern engine concepts, including turbo or hybrid vehicles. Most manufacturer approvals (e.g. VW, BMW, MB) are fulfilled today with hydrocrack formulations. BASINOL uses HC base oils for many of its high-performance engine oils.
Are there any disadvantages compared to PAO oils?
In very extreme applications – e.g. in motorsport or in arctic conditions – a PAO oil can score points with even higher cold stability and thermal load capacity. For normal road traffic or standard industrial applications, however, hydrocracked oil offers excellent performance, often at significantly better economic conditions.
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