Friction modifiers (FM) shift the boundary-lubrication friction coefficient from ~0.12 (no FM) to ~0.06 (with MoDTC) — the key to ILSAC GF-6 / GF-7 fuel-economy retention. Molybdenum dithiocarbamate (MoDTC) is the workhorse; glycerol mono-oleate (GMO) is the organic backbone. This guide covers FM chemistry, treat rates by service, ILSAC GF-6 / GF-7 fuel-economy tests, and Indian sourcing — part of our wider lubricant additive suppliers range.
| Service | FM Type | Mo ppm finished | GMO % | Boundary μ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCMO ILSAC GF-6 5W-30 | MoDTC + GMO | 700-1,000 | 0.1-0.3% | 0.06-0.07 |
| PCMO ILSAC GF-6 0W-20 | MoDTC trinuclear + GMO | 800-1,200 | 0.2-0.4% | 0.05-0.06 |
| HDD API FA-4 (low-VG) | MoDTC + GMO | 500-800 | 0.1-0.2% | 0.06-0.07 |
| HDD API CK-4 | MoDTC light | 200-500 | 0.1-0.2% | 0.07-0.08 |
| Industrial Circulating | GMO + oleamide | 0-200 | 0.3-0.5% | 0.08-0.10 |
| Gear Oil API GL-5 LS | GMO + FM (limited-slip) | 0-200 | 0.2-0.4% | 0.07-0.09 |
| ATF Dexron / Mercon | FM blend (organic + Mo) | 100-400 | 0.3-0.6% | 0.07-0.08 |
| Sequence Test | Engine | Target Measure | FM Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sequence VIE-LP fresh | Chrysler 2.0L | FEI1 ≥ 2.6 (0W-20) / 1.0 (5W-30) | Primary — MoDTC + GMO |
| Sequence VIE-LP aged 100 hr | Chrysler 2.0L | FEI2 retention ≥ 50% of fresh | Mo durability matters |
| Sequence VIF (proposed GF-7) | Ford 2.0L | Higher-VG fuel economy | MoDTC + Mo-DTP |
| FEI1 (Fuel Economy Improvement 1) | Sequence VIE | Fresh oil baseline | MoDTC critical |
| FEI2 (Fuel Economy Improvement 2) | Sequence VIE aged | Aged oil retention | Mo retention critical |
MoDTC (molybdenum dithiocarbamate) is the heavyweight — it forms a MoS2 tribofilm under shear that drops the boundary friction coefficient from ~0.12 to ~0.06, giving the 1-3% fuel-economy lift required by ILSAC GF-6 / GF-7. GMO (glycerol mono-oleate) is the organic backbone FM — chemisorbs on the steel surface to give a baseline friction reduction.
Modern fuel-economy PCMO uses both: GMO at 0.1-0.3% for the baseline organic FM layer + MoDTC at 700-1000 ppm Mo for the deep friction reduction under shear. Neither alone is sufficient for GF-6 Sequence VIE-LP.
Modern API SP / ILSAC GF-6 PCMO typically targets 700-1,000 ppm Mo in finished oil — delivered by 0.10-0.15% MoDTC active matter from the DI package. ILSAC GF-7 PCMO and Sequence IX LSPI-tested oils push toward 800-1,200 ppm Mo.
Some racing oils and premium 0W-20 PCMO use 1,500-2,000 ppm Mo with trinuclear Mo for extreme friction reduction. API SP has no upper cap on Mo content (only P at 800 ppm).
ILSAC GF-6 uses Sequence VIE-LP fuel-economy test on a modified Chrysler 2.0L engine. Measures Fuel Economy Improvement (FEI) at fresh (FEI1) and aged (FEI2) conditions. GF-6A requires FEI1 + FEI2 ≥ 2.6 (SAE 0W-20) or ≥ 1.0 (SAE 5W-30).
VIF test on a Ford 2.0L tests fuel economy retention at higher viscosity grades. VIE / VIF are the fuel-economy tests; engine modification across GF-5 → GF-6 → GF-7 progressively tightens these. MoDTC + GMO are the principal levers.
Trinuclear MoDTC contains three molybdenum atoms in a single molecule (Mo3 cluster with sulphur and dithiocarbamate ligands). Higher Mo content per molecule (15-22% Mo) than conventional dinuclear MoDTC (8-12% Mo) — meaning lower treat rate for same Mo delivery.
Trinuclear is more expensive (₹950-1,300/kg vs ₹700-950/kg for conventional) but valued in premium PCMO and racing for cleaner Mo loading without polar-additive overload. Adeka Sakura-Lube 525 and 615 are trinuclear Mo references.
Base oil alone (PCMO Group II/III 5W-30): boundary friction ~0.12-0.14. With GMO 0.2%: ~0.10-0.11. With GMO + ZDDP: ~0.09-0.10. With GMO + ZDDP + MoDTC at 700 ppm Mo: ~0.06-0.07 — the GF-6 fuel-economy target zone.
With GMO + ZDDP + MoDTC + Mo-DTP (Mo-modified ZDDP): ~0.05-0.06 — racing-tier. ILSAC GF-7 (in development) is expected to require ~0.05 boundary friction at 100,000-km aged oil.
HDD CK-4 and FA-4 use lower MoDTC than fuel-economy PCMO. Typical 200-500 ppm Mo in finished CK-4 from MoDTC at 0.02-0.06%. FA-4 (low-viscosity HDD) uses higher Mo (500-800 ppm) for the fuel-economy benefit on long-haul fleet operation.
HDD doesn't have a Sequence VIE-LP equivalent but does have FA-4-specific Caterpillar 1Q-D oil aeration test that benefits from MoDTC. Organic FM (GMO, oleamide) at 0.1-0.3% adds backbone friction reduction in HDD.
MoDTC from Adeka Sakura-Lube (Japan, trinuclear specialty), Vanderbilt Vanlube 829 (mixed Mo), Vanderbilt Molyvan 855 (dinuclear), Infineum S1006 (Mo concentrate), Lubrizol 6320 (Mo). India landed cost MoDTC ₹700-1,300 / kg.
GMO from BASF, Croda, Stepan ₹240-360 / kg. Oleamide ₹260-380 / kg. Lubechem custom MoDTC (LC-FM-MO) ₹520-780 / kg — 25-32% saving on branded. Custom GMO (LC-FM-GMO) ₹190-280 / kg.
MoDTC contributes minor sulfated ash via Mo content — at 700-1000 ppm Mo, the sulfated ash contribution is ~0.1-0.15%. Insignificant against the 1.0% PCMO API SP limit dominated by Ca / Mg detergent.
For low-SAPS C3 (0.5-0.8% sulfated ash cap), MoDTC is still acceptable but at slightly reduced treat (500-700 ppm Mo). Organic FM (GMO, oleamide) contributes zero sulfated ash — used freely in low-SAPS.
Share your target service (ILSAC GF-6 PCMO, FA-4 HDD, ATF), Mo ppm target and volume. We respond within one business day with a FM blend plan, treat rates and indicative cost.