BRAND OVERVIEW
ultEbase®
Synthetic Base Oils
SantoLubes ultEbase Synthetic Base Oils are based on a patented globally Group V synthetic base oil technology developed to support efficient lubrication performance in demanding mechanical systems.
ultEbase base oils exhibit ultra-low electrohydrodynamic (EHD) shear strength designed to improve energy efficiency in gearbox applications while also providing high viscosity index, high heat capacity, and high thermal conductivity that help support lower operating temperatures and stable lubricant performance.
Ultra-low EHD shear strength
Patented Worldwide
Bio-derived option
What It Is Used For
ultEbase® is designed for applications where lubrication efficiency, temperature control, and mechanical reliability are critical to system performance. It is especially relevant in systems that experience significant sliding contact and benefit from lower internal fluid friction within the lubricant film.
Gearboxes
Wind Turbines
Over-chain Lubricants
Compressor Fluids
Hydraulic Fluids
Grease
Additives
Key Benefits
Ultra-low EHD shear strength
Up to 35% lower EHD shear strength than PAG and up to 45% lower than PAO.
High viscosity index
Supports efficient lubrication across a wide temperature range.
High heat capacity and thermal conductivity
Helps reduce operating temperatures and support stable performance.
Wide formulation flexibility
Available from ISO 10 to −ISO 680.
Product Series
ultEbase®
These base oils exhibit ultra-low elastohydrodynamic shear strength and high viscosity index, supporting efficient lubrication performance in demanding gearbox environments.
- Available in ISO viscosity grades from ISO 10 to ~ISO 680
- ultEbase® base oils provide formulation flexibility for a wide range of lubricant applications requiring efficient lubrication and favorable thermal properties.
- The base oil technology also provides high heat capacity and thermal conductivity, helping reduce operating temperatures and support stable lubricant performance across a wide range of operating conditions.
- ultEbase® base oils are suitable for formulation into lubricants used in gearboxes, wind turbines, oven chain systems, compressors, hydraulic systems, greases, and additive packages where efficient lubrication and thermal performance are required.
- Friction Reduction Up to 35% lower elastohydrodynamic (EHD) shear strength than PAG and up to 45% lower than PAO, supporting improved torque transfer efficiency and reduced internal friction losses in gearbox systems.
- Shear stability ultEbase® base oils are stable to viscosity shear down in elastohydrodynamic lubrication environments and support consistent lubrication performance in gearbox systems.
Technical Specifications
ultEbase® Product Specifications
Physical properties and performance data for the complete ultEbase® synthetic base oil portfolio. All grades feature ultra-low EHD traction coefficients and VI >135. Bio-derived feedstock options available for every viscosity grade.
| Product | ISO VG | Visc. @ 40°C (cSt) | Visc. @ 100°C (cSt) | VI | Pour Point | Flash Point | Feedstock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ultEbase® 10 | VG 10 | 10 | 2.6 | 145 | -50°C | 200°C | Petroleum / Bio |
| ultEbase® 32 | VG 32 | 32 | 6.1 | 148 | -45°C | 220°C | Petroleum / Bio |
| ultEbase® 46 | VG 46 | 46 | 8.3 | 148 | -42°C | 230°C | Petroleum / Bio |
| ultEbase® 68 | VG 68 | 68 | 11.5 | 145 | -38°C | 240°C | Petroleum / Bio |
| ultEbase® 150 | VG 150 | 150 | 19.2 | 142 | -30°C | 255°C | Petroleum / Bio |
| ultEbase® 220 | VG 220 | 220 | 26.0 | 140 | -25°C | 265°C | Petroleum / Bio |
| ultEbase® 320 | VG 320 | 320 | 34.5 | 138 | -20°C | 275°C | Petroleum / Bio |
| ultEbase® 680 | VG 680 | 680 | 58.0 | 135 | -15°C | 290°C | Petroleum / Bio |
Values are typical properties and may vary by batch. Contact SantoLubes for certified specifications and Technical Data Sheets (TDS).
Target Industries
Industrial Manufacturing
Energy
Aerospace
Chemical Processing
Semiconductor
Related Applications
Gear Applications
Designed for gear systems that require efficient lubrication and reduced operating temperatures
Compressor Applications
Supports compressor performance with stable lubrication and temperature control.
High Temperature Applications
Provides thermal stability in applications exposed to elevated temperatures.
Related Products
Oils
High performance base oils tailored to your formulation needs.
Lubricants
Formulated lubricants for a wife range of industrial applications
Greases
Advanced greases for demanding mechanical systems
Custom Solutions
Custom formulations and technical partnerships to meet your needs.
Renewable Feedstock Option
Yes. All ultEbase® viscosity grades are available with bio-derived feedstock options, enabling formulators and OEMs to meet sustainability and carbon reduction targets without compromising performance. Bio-derived ultEbase® base oils deliver the same ultra-low EHD traction, high VI, and thermal conductivity as petroleum-derived grades.
Technical Resources
Samples & Technical Support
Request a sample or connect with our technical team for expert guidance.
FAQ
Expert guidance and resources to help you find the right solution.
What is ultEbase® and how is it different from conventional synthetic base oils?
ultEbase® is a patented Group V synthetic base oil technology engineered for demanding mechanical systems where energy efficiency, thermal management, and lubricant stability are critical. What separates it from conventional PAO or ester-based synthetics is its ultra-low electrohydrodynamic (EHD) shear strength — a property that directly reduces internal fluid friction within the lubricant film during rolling and sliding contact. Conventional Group IV and Group V base oils can still generate significant viscous drag under EHD conditions. ultEbase® is purpose-built to minimize that drag, which translates into measurable energy savings in gearbox and drivetrain applications without sacrificing film protection or service life.
What is EHD friction and why does it matter for gearbox energy efficiency?
Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) friction is the internal resistance generated within a lubricant film when it is compressed and sheared between rolling or sliding mechanical surfaces — such as gear teeth, bearings, or cam followers. Under high contact pressure, the lubricant temporarily solidifies into a thin, highly viscous film. The resistance that film creates as it shears is EHD friction, and it directly consumes energy that would otherwise do useful mechanical work. In industrial gearboxes, wind turbine drivetrains, and compressor systems, EHD friction losses can be significant. ultEbase®'s patented chemistry delivers ultra-low EHD traction coefficients, reducing those losses and improving overall drivetrain energy efficiency — often measurably so at the system level.
What viscosity grades does ultEbase® cover and how do I select the right one?
ultEbase® is available across the full ISO VG 10 to ISO VG 680 viscosity range, covering the broadest spectrum of industrial and mechanical applications in a single base oil platform. For high-speed spindle and instrument bearing applications, ultEbase® 10 minimizes viscous drag at low loads. ultEbase® 32 and 46 serve hydraulic and light-to-industrial gear formulations. ultEbase® 68 is wind turbine qualified and suited to heavy-duty gear systems. ultEbase® 150 and 220 address enclosed gearboxes, worm drives, and high-torque industrial applications. ultEbase® 320 handles shock-loaded mining and steel mill drives, while ultEbase® 680 supports ultra-heavy gear bases and specialty grease manufacturing. Grade selection depends on operating speed, load, contact geometry, and temperature range — the SantoLubes technical team can assist with application-specific recommendations.
Is ultEbase® suitable for wind turbine gearbox applications?
Yes. ultEbase® 68 is specifically qualified for wind turbine gearbox lubrication. Wind turbine gearboxes present a demanding combination of variable loads, wide operating temperature swings, and the need for extended drain intervals in hard-to-access installations. ultEbase® 68's high viscosity index — above 142 — maintains stable film thickness across those temperature extremes, while its ultra-low EHD traction reduces parasitic energy losses in the drivetrain and its high thermal conductivity supports lower operating temperatures under load. For wind energy operators focused on turbine efficiency and reduced maintenance intervals, ultEbase® 68 is a technically sound base oil choice.
Does ultEbase® offer a bio-derived or sustainable base oil option?
Yes. All ultEbase® viscosity grades — from ISO VG 10 through ISO VG 680 — are available with bio-derived feedstock options. Bio-derived ultEbase® delivers the same ultra-low EHD traction, high viscosity index, and thermal conductivity performance as petroleum-derived grades, enabling lubricant formulators and OEMs to meet sustainability targets and carbon reduction commitments without engineering trade-offs. For organizations navigating ESG requirements, green procurement standards, or regulatory mandates around bio-based content in industrial lubricants, bio-derived ultEbase® provides a compliant, performance-equivalent alternative.
How does ultEbase® help reduce gearbox operating temperatures?
ultEbase® reduces gearbox operating temperatures through two complementary mechanisms. First, its ultra-low EHD friction reduces the heat generated during rolling and sliding contact — less friction means less heat entering the system in the first place. Second, its high heat capacity and high thermal conductivity mean that the lubricant more effectively absorbs and dissipates the heat that is generated, moving it away from critical contact zones faster than conventional base oils. Together, these properties support lower steady-state operating temperatures, which directly extends component life, reduces thermal degradation of the lubricant itself, and supports longer drain intervals in enclosed systems.
Can ultEbase® be used as a base oil for grease manufacturing?
Yes. ultEbase® is formulated for grease manufacturing across multiple viscosity grades, with ultEbase® 680 specifically positioned as an ultra-heavy base oil for specialty grease applications requiring maximum base oil viscosity. Its high viscosity index, thermal stability, and low volatility support the production of greases that maintain structural consistency and lubrication performance across wide temperature ranges. Its compatibility with a broad range of thickener systems and additive packages — combined with its bio-derived feedstock option — makes ultEbase® a versatile and technically differentiated base oil for formulators developing next-generation grease products for industrial, energy, and specialty applications.
What is the operational temperature range?
ultEbase® is highly thermally and oxidatively stable, so continuous operation above 100°C is well within its capability. Its high viscosity index keeps film strength stable across cold starts and elevated temperatures, while its high heat capacity and thermal conductivity help pull heat away from contact zones and hold down steady-state sump temperatures. For a specific service temperature window by grade, request the technical data sheet.
Who performed the independent testing, and where can I see the data?
The elastohydrodynamic shear strength testing was conducted at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). The supporting data set is available on request and presents traction coefficient plotted against slide-to-roll ratio (slip) across a range of temperatures, speeds, and contact stresses (loads). If you're evaluating ultEbase® for a specific system, the technical team can walk you through the conditions most relevant to your operating envelope.
What test conditions produced the "up to 35% vs. PAG" and "up to 45% vs. PAO" claims?
Those figures come directly from differences in measured traction (shear strength) behavior between the fluids under elastohydrodynamic conditions — the same SwRI testing described above, run across a matrix of temperatures, speeds, and contact stresses. The percentages represent the reduction in EHD shear strength relative to representative PAG and PAO fluids. Because traction behavior varies with operating conditions, the full data set is the best reference for how the advantage holds across your specific speed, load, and temperature range.
Are the efficiency and wear benefits measured directly, or inferred from the shear data?
The EHD shear strength reductions are directly measured. The efficiency benefit follows from well-established elastohydrodynamic theory: in concentrated contacts such as gear teeth, mechanical efficiency is strongly governed by the fluid's shear strength in the contact. Lower shear strength means less energy lost to internal fluid friction, which is why a measured reduction in EHD traction translates to improved efficiency in gear and drivetrain systems. The wear and micropitting benefits are supported by separate rig testing (below).
Are there current field references or case studies?
ultEbase® has been run in demanding motorsport applications — transmissions and differentials — with exceptional results in service. Those programs are governed by customer NDAs, so the specific data can't be published, but the technical team can speak in general terms about the duty cycles and outcomes during a technical consultation, and discuss whether a reference applies to your application.
