Friction Modifiers

At A Glance

Friction modifiers reduce friction and wear. Depending on the application, they show effects ranging from improved horsepower and acceleration to improved efficiency of operation and tangible fuel economy benefits. At BASF, we call it “Gain the Power to Save on Fuel” – for our customers improved fuel economy not only translates into financial benefits but also contributes to sustainable development through reduced CO₂ emissions.

Discover Our Customer Portal

Trucks and cars drive across the street with lubricant components

BASF’s innovative and multipurpose additive component IRGALUBE^® FE1 enables high performance engine oils for a broad range of applications. It can be used as part of a base formulation or as a top-up treatment for any engine oil already in use.

A sustainable landscape with lubricant components

IRGALUBE^® F 10 A is a unique, ashless, multifunctional additive. It acts as a friction modifier and antioxidant, providing energy saving benefits and at the same time improving thermo-oxidative stability. With these performance characteristics, IRGALUBE^® F 10 A outperforms conventional mixtures of ashless friction modifiers and phenolic antioxidantsm, and can be used in conjunction with molybdenum dithiocarbamate to boost engine oil effectiveness.

A truck drives on a road with lubricant components

From our SYNATIVE^® ester range, selected products also show enhanced friction modifier properties such as the fully saturated SYNATIVE^® ES PDO and SYNATIVE^® ES 2427 showing additional performance benefits such as best in class thermal and oxidative stability as well as biodegradability. Our high viscosity, unsaturated SYNATIVE^® ES 1200 and SYNATIVE^® ES 3100 offer low friction behaviour, excellent wide-range temperature properties, biodegradability and superior lubricity.

In addition, BASF has developed SYNATIVE^® EEB 45, a novel technology based on a unique polyether-based hybrid structure for use in automotive and industrial lubricants. The outstanding low friction behaviour and reduced wear enables a step-change in energy efficiency, whilst the hybrid structure means compatibility with hydrocarbon oils.

Typical Applications

Engine oils
Hydraulic fluids
E-Mobility fluids
Compressor oils
Gear lubricants
Greases
Metalworking fluids

Key Features & Benefits

What properties can our Friction Modifiers offer for high performance lubricants?

Performance features

IRGALUBE^® F 10 A significantly reduces friction and boosts antioxidant performance
IRGALUBE^® FE1 fuel efficiency proven with different engine tests
SYNATIVE^® EEB 45 shows compatibility with mineral oils, PAOs, esters and naphthenic oils to upgrade standard formulations to top performance
SYNATIVE^® EEB 45 boosts dielectric properties

Sustainability features

Energy and CO₂ saving due to low friction performance
Protecting equipment increases hardware lifetime and reduces maintenance costs
Friction modified lubricant durability expands drain intervals, which reduces waste and maintenance costs
IRGALUBE^® FE1 reduces fuel consumption of automotive combustion engines and decreases the CO₂ emissions
High degree of renewable content

Discover our Friction Modifier portfolio

IRGALUBE^® F 10 A
IRGALUBE^® FE1
SYNATIVE^® ES PDO
SYNATIVE^® ES 2427
SYNATIVE^® ES 1200
SYNATIVE^® ES 3100
SYNATIVE^® EEB 45

Our products are suited to meet current and future challenges for the various applications.

Discover More

about our lubricant components

Portfolio

A person and a sustainable wind turbine with lubricant components

Sustainability

Expertise