ILMA Compoundings - June 2021 - 44

Cross Connections
Engine Oils Continue to Advance
By Jeffrey Harmening
L
ast spring, we wrote about the new ILSAC GF-6A,
ILSAC GF-6B and API SP engine oil performance
standards, which took effect on May 1, 2020, to
replace ILSAC GF-5. A year later, as of May 1, 2021,
licensed oils formulated to meet ILSAC GF-5 are no longer
eligible to display the API starburst for current oil standards.
That will be reserved solely for ILSAC GF-6A oils. (GF-6B
oils must use the newly designed shield certification mark.)
The American Petroleum Institute (API) is recommending
to shops that they now only carry only GF-6 motor oils.
This will enable them to consolidate the number of oils they
carry in their shops and ensure that the most advanced oils
are poured in engines. We anticipate that more GF-6A and
GF-6B oil will be licensed this year.
Leading up to API's annual renewal deadline of March
31, there were a record 902 companies and over 28,000
products licensed by API. Since the first licensing date, over
3,700 products meeting GF-6A performance and over 220
products meeting GF-6B performance have been licensed.
We expect that the total number of licensed oils will increase
in the coming year. The number of GF-6 oils is expected to
continue to grow, especially now that GF-5 is obsolete.
ENSURING QUALITY OIL IN THE MARKETPLACE
The API Aftermarket Audit Program (AMAP) is making API SP
and ILSAC GF-6A and GF-6B engine oils a focus for testing in
2021 to be certain that they are compliant with the rigorous
specifications required for use in today's gasoline engines. The
goal is to test up to 1,300 packaged and bulk engine oil samples
this year from around the world. Oils for gasoline-powered
engines will account for about 60% of tests, and oils for
diesel-powered engines will account for about 40% of tests.
Diesel exhaust fluid samples will also be tested as part of the
AMAP program, with about 500 expected to be sampled.
AMAP oversees sampling of API-licensed oils in the
marketplace and tests them to verify compliance with the
engine oil specifications. This ensures that oil marketers,
distributors, installers and consumers can have confidence in
the quality of API-licensed motor oils in the marketplace.
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JUNE 2021 | COMPOUNDINGS | ILMA.ORG
HOW AMAP WORKS
API-licensed engine oils are purchased in the marketplace
and tested to determine their physical, chemical and
performance properties. The results are compared to licensee
formulations on file at API. Bulk oils are also tested. Conforming
oils show test results that are consistent with the
formulations on file and meet program requirements. All
samples undergo elemental analysis, viscosity at 100 degrees
Celsius, high-temperature high-shear testing, cold cranking,
pumpability and volatility. The oils may also be tested for
foaming, shear stability and oxidation, among others. Product
packages are checked to make sure they correctly display
the API marks and carry product trace codes, and bulk oil
IN NETWORK
http://www.ILMA.ORG
ILMA Compoundings - June 2021

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