Additives 1 – Fundamentals

Additives 1 – Fundamentals introduces the core concepts behind lubricant additive technology. Additives are the functional chemicals that transform a simple base oil into a high-performance lubricant—enabling it to clean, protect, cool, and resist degradation in demanding environments.

This course categorizes additives into three major roles: performance modifiers, lubricant protectors, and surface protectors. You’ll learn how these groups differ, how they interact with base oils and each other, and how they address specific mechanical and chemical challenges in real-world applications.

Whether you’re new to lubrication, working in formulation, or simply want to understand what’s in your oil, this course provides the vocabulary and framework needed to understand and communicate the role of additives in lubricant performance.

After completing this course, you’ll be able to:

• Describe the major functions of lubricant additives
• Understand the differences between additive categories and their purposes
• Recognize how additives influence key performance properties like cleanliness, wear protection, and thermal stability
• Build a foundation for deeper study in additive chemistry and formulation