China to launch specification for engine oil
China to launch specification for engine oil – New specification for heavy-duty engine oil in China ensures their performance meets the needs of local engines China is the largest heavy-duty vehicle market in the world. It is believed that more than 40 million trucks will be on its roads by the end of 2022, more than 11 million of which are medium- or heavy-duty diesels.
In 2023, new truck sales will reach more than 4 million. In the opinion of Infineum experts, around 95% of these sales could be domestic brands, which makes it surprising that China’s heavy-duty lubricant market currently uses API specifications.
As these locally produced vehicles are somewhat different from North American trucks, their lubricant requirements are not fully supported by these existing specifications. With this in mind, initiated by some of the major OEMs, oil companies and related associations, the Industry set out to develop a China-specific heavy-duty engine oil specification. It took a considerable amount of time and effort, as well as dedication and cooperation, but finally the D1 specification for heavy-duty engine oils is ready for release.
China’s current national diesel engine oil specification, GB11122- 2006, is based on API engine oil specifications from the API CD to CI-4 categories. The real driver for the development of the D1 specification is that the current specification does not match the hardware configurations that have been adopted by Chinese OEMs to meet the stringent emissions requirements of China VI legislation.
Motivation for development
There were three main drivers for the new specification:
- The China VI emissions and fuel consumption standard is unique to China (driving cycle/limitations etc.);
- Operational and after-treatment changes are required to meet the stringent China VI emissions limits – especially particulate matter and Nox;
- The Made in China strategy encourages the development of independent specifications.
The Chinese Lubricant Standards Alliance Committee was tasked with developing the standard. Formed in 2016 and now comprising 31 members from OEMs, oil and additive companies and industry bodies, the working groups focused on testing procedures and the development of the oil specification. Their results have been approved by the expert group review of the China National Standards Committee (GB) so that the final standard can be adopted in GB11122, where it will rank above API CI-4.
The main differences
Although D1’s performance will be based on API CK-4, it will differ from that level of quality in many details. One of the main differences is that all the engines used for the D1 tests are from Chinese OEMs. As all the engine tests for the specification were developed using local engines, you could say that they are all completely new engine tests.
Lubricant development challenges
One of the main questions for oil companies is how does the D1 specification compare to API CK-4? The anti-wear, anti-oxidant, soot dispersion and piston cleanliness performance requirements for D1 are all very similar to those of API CK-4. However, local requests, such as prevention of turbo deposits and fuel dilution, have been incorporated.
Another question we can anticipate is whether D1 has base oil interchange (BOI) and viscosity grade reading (VGRA) rules. Currently, BOI and VGRA rules are not allowed in D1. However, the D1 committee has drawn up a test plan to define BOI/VGRA rules, although this work is still in progress. When published, this new mandatory specification will be essential for all heavy-duty engine oil suppliers wishing to supply VI-capable vehicles to China. Without this seal of approval, heavy-duty products will need to be
marketed at a lower performance level.
Story taken from Infineum Insight. See full article at
https://www.infineuminsight.com/en-gb/articles/new-china-d1-
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