Discover the full range of Additin® RC additives for greases, oils, and metalworking fluids. Improve performance, wear protection, and efficiency.
Summary: The Additin® RC series represents a comprehensive line of high-performance additives designed for industrial lubrication, greases, and metalworking applications. With specialized properties such as extreme pressure resistance, antiwear protection, corrosion inhibition, and oxidation stability, these additives play a critical role in extending equipment life, reducing maintenance costs, and improving efficiency. From low-odor sulphur carriers to ashless multifunctional packages, the Additin® RC portfolio provides tailored solutions for hydraulic fluids, gear oils, engine oils, and greases. This article explores the scientific foundation, technical applications, and industrial benefits of each additive in the RC series.
1. Introduction
Lubricant additives are critical in modern industry, where high-performance requirements for metalworking, greases, hydraulic fluids, and gear oils exceed the natural limits of base oils. The Additin® RC series, developed by Rhein Chemie, offers a diverse range of extreme pressure (EP), antiwear (AW), antioxidant (AO), and anticorrosion (CI) additives designed for specific industrial applications. These additives enhance load-carrying capacity, reduce wear, improve oxidation stability, and extend equipment lifetime.
From sulphur-based EP carriers (e.g., Additin RC 2515, RC 2541, RC 2811) to zinc dialkyldithiophosphates (ZDDPs) (e.g., RC 3038, RC 3180, RC 3212), molybdenum-based friction modifiers (RC 3580), and ashless multifunctional solutions (e.g., RC 3760, RC 3775, RC 3890, RC 6340), the series addresses modern lubrication challenges. Additionally, pre-formulated additive packages (RC 9502, RC 9505, RC 9507) simplify grease formulation with balanced EP, AW, CI, and AO performance.
The following table summarizes the technical characteristics and application focus of each product in the RC series.
2. Technical Overview Table of Additin® RC Products
| Product | Type | Key Properties | Main Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| RC 2515 | Thermally stable EP additive | Light-coloured, low-odour sulphur carrier, excellent EP properties, good for yellow metals | Greases, slideway oils, gear oils, metalworking fluids |
| RC 2541 | EP additive (dialkylpolysulphide) | Low viscosity, high sulphur, low copper corrosion, strong load capacity | Metalworking fluids, greases, lubricants, rolling oils |
| RC 2811 | EP additive (sulphur carrier) | Dark coloured, low active sulphur, suitable for yellow metals | Metalworking fluids, greases, slideway oils |
| RC 3038 | Antiwear & antioxidant additive (ZDDP) | Light, odourless, balanced EP/AW, corrosion protection | Cutting, drawing, punching oils, greases |
| RC 3180 | Antiwear & AO additive (ZDDP, mineral-oil free) | High thermal stability, hydrolysis resistant, mineral oil-free | Metalworking fluids, greases, motor oils |
| RC 3212 | Antiwear additive (ZnDTP, low Zn/P) | Low zinc/phosphorus, high lubricity, anti-rust, low friction | Forming oils, greases, engine oils, gear oils |
| RC 3580 | Antiwear & friction modifier (MoDTP) | Molybdenum-based, reduces friction, enhances AW properties | Greases, engine oils, gear oils, specialty lubricants |
| RC 3760 | Ashless multifunctional additive | Antiwear, EP, anticorrosion, food-grade (NSF HX-1) | Hydraulic, compressor, turbine oils, greases |
| RC 3775 | Ashless AW/EP additive | Excellent FZG performance, corrosion inhibitor | Hydraulic fluids, turbine oils, honing oils, gear oils |
| RC 3890 | Ashless EP/AW/AO additive | High load stage (FZG 12), multifunctional | Metalworking fluids, industrial oils, greases |
| RC 6340 | Ashless EP/AW/AO additive (dithiocarbamate) | Heavy-metal free, antioxidant, food-grade (NSF HX-1) | EP greases, gear oils, hydraulic fluids |
| RC 9502 | Additive package for greases | Balanced EP/AW/CI/AO package, low odour | Soap greases, complex greases, polyurea greases |
| RC 9505 | Additive package for greases | High sulphur, strong EP, low odour, crystallization sensitive | EP greases, high-performance greases |
| RC 9507 | Additive package for greases | Balanced multifunctional package, optimized for open systems | Soap greases, complex greases, polyurea greases |
| RC 2411 | EP additive (inactive sulphur) | Light-coloured, high lubricity, excellent for non-ferrous metals | Metalworking fluids, greases, textile oils, slideway oils |
3. Technical Comparison Table – Additin® RC Series
| Product | Unique Chemistry | Key Strengths | Limitations / Notes | Best Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RC 2515 | Sulphurized fatty oils & olefins | Low odour, light colour, thermally stable EP, safe for yellow metals | Medium viscosity, needs antioxidants for stability | EP greases, slideway oils, metal forming |
| RC 2541 | Dialkylpolysulphide | High sulphur (40%), excellent EP load, low copper corrosion | Moderate yellow metal compatibility | Metalworking fluids, rolling oils, greases |
| RC 2811 | Sulphurized fatty oil | Dark colour, low active sulphur, yellow metal safe | High viscosity, limited EP strength compared to others | EP greases, slideway oils, cutting fluids |
| RC 3038 | Zinc dithiophosphate (ZDDP) | Balanced AW/EP, antioxidant, mild corrosion inhibition | Contains Zn/P/S, not ashless | Cutting/drawing/punching oils, greases |
| RC 3180 | 2-Ethylhexyl ZDDP (mineral oil-free) | Strong AW/AO, hydrolysis stable, no mineral oil | Higher viscosity, contains Zn/P | Motor oils, greases, water-miscible fluids |
| RC 3212 | Long-chain ZDDP (low Zn/P) | Low friction, high lubricity, anti-rust, EP stronger than std. ZnDTP | May crystallize below 10°C | Forming oils, gear oils, low Zn/P lubricants |
| RC 3580 | Molybdenum dithiophosphate (MoDTP) | Friction modifier + AW, reduces wear & friction | Dark colour, contains Mo, higher cost | Engine oils, greases, industrial gear oils |
| RC 3760 | Amine-neutralized phosphoric ester | Ashless, multifunctional (AW, EP, CI), food-grade NSF HX-1 | Flash point lower than ZDDPs | Hydraulic & turbine oils, food industry |
| RC 3775 | P–S–N compound (ashless) | Excellent FZG performance, high-temp stable | Requires antioxidants for full stability | Hydraulic fluids, honing oils, gear oils |
| RC 3890 | Ashless P–S additive | EP, AW, AO in one, high load stage 12 FZG | Lower flash point (150°C) | Metalworking fluids, greases, industrial oils |
| RC 6340 | Dithiocarbamate (ashless) | AO + AW + EP, food-grade (NSF HX-1), heavy-metal free | Tends to crystallize <25°C | Hydraulic fluids, gear oils, EP greases |
| RC 9502 | Pre-formulated sulphur package | Balanced EP/AW/CI/AO, low odour | Contains mineral oil, shelf life ~12 months | Soap & polyurea greases, open system greases |
| RC 9505 | Synthetic sulphur package | Strong EP, corrosion/wear inhibited, low odour | Can crystallize at low temp, shelf life ~6 months | High-performance greases |
| RC 9507 | Sulphur package for greases | Balanced EP/AW/CI/AO, optimized for polyurea greases | Darker colour, contains mineral oil | Soap/complex greases, open systems |
| RC 2411 | Sulphurized veg. oils & esters (inactive) | Light-colour, excellent lubricity, very safe on non-ferrous metals | Limited EP load compared to active sulphur types | Non-ferrous metalworking fluids, slideway oils |
Lubricant additives are essential components in modern industry, providing performance characteristics that base oils alone cannot achieve. The Additin® RC series by Rhein Chemie is one of the most versatile families of additives, engineered to deliver enhanced antiwear (AW), extreme pressure (EP), corrosion inhibition (CI), and antioxidant (AO) properties.
Sulphur-based EP Additives (RC 2515, RC 2541, RC 2811, RC 2411)
These products are designed for metalworking fluids, greases, and gear oils. They provide strong load-carrying capacity and anti-scuffing properties, with varying degrees of activity against yellow metals.
Zinc Dithiophosphates (ZDDP) and Antiwear Additives (RC 3038, RC 3180, RC 3212)
ZDDPs remain the cornerstone of antiwear technology. The Additin RC ZDDP range offers optimized friction reduction, thermal stability, and balanced phosphorus/zinc levels to meet modern environmental standards.
Molybdenum and Friction Modifiers (RC 3580)
RC 3580 enhances friction reduction while maintaining wear protection, making it suitable for greases and high-performance lubricants.
Ashless Multifunctional Additives (RC 3760, RC 3775, RC 3890, RC 6340)
These additives deliver EP, AW, and antioxidant properties without heavy metals. They are particularly important for food-grade lubricants and environmentally sensitive applications.
Additive Packages for Greases (RC 9502, RC 9505, RC 9507)
Pre-formulated packages simplify grease manufacturing by combining EP, AW, CI, and AO properties in a balanced formulation.
Conclusion
The Additin® RC series provides a scientific foundation for developing high-performance lubricants that meet modern industrial requirements. By selecting the right additive or package, formulators can design lubricants with enhanced wear resistance, thermal stability, and long service life.