Novack Volatility Test

AMSOIL Motor Oil Set the Bar 20 Years Ago

Originally developed and used in Europe, the NOACK volatility test determines how much weight an oil loses through volatilization. The more a motor oil vaporizes, the thicker and heavier it becomes, contributing to poor circulation, reduced fuel economy and increased oil consumption, wear and emissions. During the test, the subject oil is heated to 150° C for a specified period, causing the lighter oil molecules to boil off. The results are reported in the percentage, by weight, of the oil that evaporates.

Because they are made from impure, irregular molecules, conventional motor oils are more susceptible to the effects of heat. The small, light molecules in conventional oil tend to evaporate (volatilize) as the oil is heated, leaving large, heavy molecules behind and leading to oil consumption and an increase in the oil’s viscosity. If those large, heavy molecules are chemically unstable, they may also break-down and form deposits on component surfaces, further inhibiting the release of heat into the oil stream.

Another AMSOIL First

More than 20 years ago, AMSOIL began using the NOACK volatility test as a comparison tool and measurement of quality. Back then, nearly every oil tested side-by-side with AMSOIL synthetic motor oils failed, and those that passed barely squeaked by. Other oil companies paid no attention to NOACK results until Ford made it a requirement for service fill oils, validating what AMSOIL had said all along.

Today More Than Ever

Today’s engines are running hotter than ever. More horsepower, turbo chargers and aerodynamic styling have created extremely hot environments that receive less cooling from outside air. High heat leads to oil oxidation, deposits and thickening in conventional oils. To qualify for the current API rating of SM, motor oils for gasoline engines cannot experience a weight loss of more than 15 percent in the NOACK test.

AMSOIL synthetic motor oils were exceeding modern requirements 20 years ago, while many oil manufacturers’ current products are still performing just well enough to make the grade.

AMSOIL Still On Top

Because AMSOIL synthetic lubricants contain only strong, uniform molecules, they are much more resistant to thermal and oxidative breakdown. AMSOIL synthetics are virtually impervious to breakdown at normal operating temperatures and can be used in higher temperatures than conventional oils without breaking down. AMSOIL synthetic motor oils keep components free of varnish, deposits and sludge.

As the test results show, this was as true more than 20 years ago as it is today. The performance of AMSOIL synthetic motor oils in the NOACK volatility test has improved slightly over the years, but the superior quality and thermal stability of AMSOIL was as evident then as it is now.

NOACK Volatility

AMSOIL was the first company in North America to use the NOACK volatility test to measure motor oil performance. The test results published 20 years ago for AMSOIL literature clearly show the superiority of AMSOIL synthetic motor oils and the shortcomings of conventional oils.Today the NOACK test is a critical measurement tool throughout the industry.It is just one more example of how AMSOIL has raised the bar and forced other oils to increase performance levels AMSOIL 10W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil still resists high temperature volatilization better than other motor oils. AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil maintains peak fuel efficiency and reduces oil consumption and emissions.

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