Engine Oils

Maximising the life of car engines has far-reaching benefits – conserving resources, reducing waste and lowering emissions.

With this in mind, Tribology has an important part to play to improve the performance of the engine lubricants, to reduce friction and wear on the piston rings, cams and journal bearings.  

In addition, the engine lubricant can have a direct impact on the efficiency and thus the miles per gallon of a vehicle.  

Tribology plays a fundamental role in the development of engine oils, positively impacting engine performance and longevity. 

Effective lubrication maintains a protective oil film between moving parts, minimising friction and wear. We work with our customers to develop and test engine oils that sustain this lubrication even under extreme conditions, ensuring consistent engine performance.

Through helping in formulation of oils and the selection of anti-wear additives, and reducing friction between moving engine components such as pistons and bearings, our work can deliver improved fuel efficiency and reduced wear and tear on critical engine parts, ultimately extending the engine’s lifespan. 

Engine Oil Evaluation

Engine oil formulation can be optimised to build tribofilms – protective layers that adhere to surfaces – and significantly reduce friction and wear.  

In our lab, we’re able to evaluate these tribofilms under a range of test conditions. This comprehensive testing allows researchers to assess the effectiveness of tribofilms in diverse real-world scenarios – ensuring that lubricants perform optimally in the face of varying temperatures, loads, and speeds.

Ingram Tribology delivered high-quality results with great attention to detail and professionalism. They also met our deadlines and expectations with their fast and efficient service

Maruti Sai Dhiraj Sakhamuri, University of Southampton

Tribological Thinking

Find out about our latest thinking, research, news and more.

  • Introducing Our New Course: Bio-Tribology for Industry

    We are excited to launch our latest training course: Bio-Tribology for Industry—designed specifically for researchers and product development scientists in the food, beverage, cosmetics, and medical industries. Why Take This Course? Understanding bio-tribology is essential for developing high-performance products that interact with the human body, whether it’s optimizing the feel of a skincare product, improving…

  • 🚗⚡ Inspiring Future Engineers with Greenpower! ⚡🚗

    🚗⚡ Inspiring Future Engineers with Greenpower! ⚡🚗

    The Greenpower Trust is an incredible charity that sparks excitement for STEM careers by giving young people the opportunity to design, build, and race their own electric cars. At Haverfordwest High VC School in Pembrokeshire, an all-female race team is gearing up to compete in the F24 Greenpower series—and we had the privilege of supporting…

  • Installation of new electrified MTM at Ingram Tribology ⚡ 🚃 🚘

    We have expanded our testing capabilities with the addition of the new MTM-EC (mini traction machine electrical current)! This new instrument allows us to study the effects of electrical currents on lubricated contacts. In our growing electrified world, stray electrical currents can flow through mechanical devices. If the current is high, fluting damage can occur at the…

  • Introducing our new testing capability: tackling Electrically induced White Etching Cracks (eWECs)! ⚡🔬 🚗 👨‍🔧

    In today’s increasingly electrified world, machine elements are often located near electric motors and generators, where they can be exposed to stray currents. Electric vehicles and wind turbines are prime examples of where this issue can arise. These stray currents can significantly impact tribological contacts, accelerating subsurface alterations in the steel and leading to premature…

  • Gear Micropitting Screening Test

    Gear Micropitting Screening Test

    Micropitting is a type of fatigue wear commonly found on gear teeth. The gradual loss of material in the form of small surface pits leads to a change in the geometry of the component; if this is not controlled, it can result in failure of the part. The standardised method of evaluating a lubricants ability…

  • Merry Christmas from all of us at Ingram Tribology

    Merry Christmas from all of us at Ingram Tribology

    Our Christmas card this year depicts the scene of Santa enjoying the drinks left out for him near the fireplace.  Santa is trying both port and hot chocolate and notices a distinct difference in the mouthfeel between the two.  The port has a drier, thinner feel.  Whilst the hot chocolate impacts a smoother, creamier feeling. …

  • Check out our first Tribo Gatherings Podcast

    Check out our first Tribo Gatherings Podcast

    We have started a Podcast! Our first guest is Dr. Connor Myant from Imperial College. We discuss biotribology, as related to the testing of food and hip joint failures. We discuss the advances in 3D printing and how Connor moved from Tribology into 3D printing. We discuss all Connors current projects and thoughts for the…

  • Preparing for the summer conferences 2023

    Preparing for the summer conferences 2023

    We have been busy preparing for the conferences this summer.   By drafting some of our micropitting work for publication.  This will be presented at STLE, Lubmat and TriboUK. We have been busy working on a rapid micropitting test that correlates to the FZG micropitting test.  Our new test takes less than 40 hours and correlates…

  • Maintaining safe and quiet railways
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    Maintaining safe and quiet railways

    We are currently working on an exciting project with the Railway Standards Safety Board (RSSB) and the European Lubricating Grease Institute (ELGI), to develop a new performance test for Top of rail (TOR) materials.  These TOR materials are used to ensure traction and reduce noise at the wheel/rail interface.  This allows trains to start without…