The Rr Journals: Almasol Revealed!
07-12-2004, 04:11 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
The Rr Journals: Almasol Revealed!
Almasol is the "secret" ingredient in LE-607. which many of us have found to be a good product meeting Honda's specific lube recommendation for its differential in the S2000: An SAE 90 GL-5 lube.
It uses a GII paraffininc, mid-continent base stock, which is then highly refined. EP and other additives, including a pour point depressant, are added. This particular paraffin (a "lowly" GII) has many of the qualities of GIV lubes, in that it is highly saturated, making it much more mono-molecular than most mineral oils, and closer to a PAO in its physical properties. This, plus the refining and the reduced wax crystals in the base stock, allow a pour point of -11 degF, which is exceptionally low for a straight-grade mineral oil. Most are 20 degF higher. This base stock also has a higher flash point than most GIV PAO's.
The "secret" ingredient is the Almasol. What the heck is it? Well, LE told us it is a dry film lubricant, made by their own subsidiary, and that it is a tan powder. They also show that it is chemically inert, which means it won't form nasty acidic compounds when reacted with air in the presence of heat - nor will it form toxic compounds like PTFE can under the same conditions. We also know that it has physical load-capacity equal to that of molybdenum di-sulphide, but even that best form of moly can react with oxygen when exposed to high temperatures, such as might be encountered in the asperities of a hypoid ring/pinion when they are sliding over one another.
Well, old RR found out what the stuff is: it is a ceramic! Aluminum, magnesium, and silicate. Just as ceramics are being used in supercar brake rotors, LE is using this incredibly strong, inert substance as part of their additive package in LE-607. You will not find that anywhere else. I do know that ceramics may one day be used in engine blocks, as it can be made incredibly strong, contains heat much better than any other substance, and can be made with amazingly consistent density (did you know that the best mirrors used in telescopes are no longer glass, they are ceramics? The reason is that glass, even when super-pure, does not have the clarity and freedom from distortion tat a ceramic has - very important when you are looking at tiny objects light-years away - these mirrors have to be left to cool in the most geogrpahically benign places on earth [Spain], because even the slightest tremor will cause a distortion of the ceramic lens).
The use of this in a gear lube is very clever, and simply ingenious. The substance will not conglomerate, yet in many ways is stronger than the material it is designed to protect, and laughs off high pressures and temperatures.
It uses a GII paraffininc, mid-continent base stock, which is then highly refined. EP and other additives, including a pour point depressant, are added. This particular paraffin (a "lowly" GII) has many of the qualities of GIV lubes, in that it is highly saturated, making it much more mono-molecular than most mineral oils, and closer to a PAO in its physical properties. This, plus the refining and the reduced wax crystals in the base stock, allow a pour point of -11 degF, which is exceptionally low for a straight-grade mineral oil. Most are 20 degF higher. This base stock also has a higher flash point than most GIV PAO's.
The "secret" ingredient is the Almasol. What the heck is it? Well, LE told us it is a dry film lubricant, made by their own subsidiary, and that it is a tan powder. They also show that it is chemically inert, which means it won't form nasty acidic compounds when reacted with air in the presence of heat - nor will it form toxic compounds like PTFE can under the same conditions. We also know that it has physical load-capacity equal to that of molybdenum di-sulphide, but even that best form of moly can react with oxygen when exposed to high temperatures, such as might be encountered in the asperities of a hypoid ring/pinion when they are sliding over one another.
Well, old RR found out what the stuff is: it is a ceramic! Aluminum, magnesium, and silicate. Just as ceramics are being used in supercar brake rotors, LE is using this incredibly strong, inert substance as part of their additive package in LE-607. You will not find that anywhere else. I do know that ceramics may one day be used in engine blocks, as it can be made incredibly strong, contains heat much better than any other substance, and can be made with amazingly consistent density (did you know that the best mirrors used in telescopes are no longer glass, they are ceramics? The reason is that glass, even when super-pure, does not have the clarity and freedom from distortion tat a ceramic has - very important when you are looking at tiny objects light-years away - these mirrors have to be left to cool in the most geogrpahically benign places on earth [Spain], because even the slightest tremor will cause a distortion of the ceramic lens).
The use of this in a gear lube is very clever, and simply ingenious. The substance will not conglomerate, yet in many ways is stronger than the material it is designed to protect, and laughs off high pressures and temperatures.
06-09-2006, 03:45 PM
#7
Registered User
Originally Posted by silencertk,Jun 9 2006, 05:43 PM
where can you buy it?Trending Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
PureFunction
Auto Racing Discussion
0
09-11-2012 01:34 PM