AIRLINE
8 MAY 2016 AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY
ADVANCEMENTS IN
TURBINE ENGINE OILS
Paul Fridman, aviation marketing manager with Eastman
Aviation Solutions, answers questions regarding oil chemistry
and the efects on operation and maintenance
By Ronald Donner
perators of the commercial airline industry's newest
generation turbine engines are said to be placing
greater emphasis on engine oil life as oil tempera-
tures are increasing and oil consumption is decreas-
ing. Turbine engines today primarily use two types
of engine oils; Standard Performance Capable (SPC)
and High Performance Capable (HPC) oils.
To discuss turbine engine oils, we contacted
Paul Fridman, aviation marketing manager with
Eastman Aviation Solutions, and asked a few ques-
tions regarding oil chemistry and the effects on
operation and maintenance. Eastman acquired the
aviation turbo oils business from BP in June 2014.
AMT: Describe some of the typical turbine engine
oils and their chemistry.
PF: Standard Performance Capable (SPC) oils are
used across many engines and accessories which
don't require the high thermal properties that HPC
oils offer. SPC oil has been used by airlines for
many years. Many likely recall Exxon Turbo Oil
2380. This product line has since gone through two
acquisitions to BP and then to Eastman.
High Performance Capable (HPC) oils are 5 cSt
(Centistokes) oils that are used in both turbine
engines and accessory equipment such as IDG's.
HPC oils offer an enhanced performance benefit