By Dr. Raj Shah and Anson Law

The transmission fluid industry in the United States is soaring with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7% currently and projections are that the market will exceed US1.9 billion by 2025. China, the world’s largest car market, is also surpassing expectations with transmission fluid forecast to grow by 5.3% over the next few years.

Transmission fluid optimises transmission performance by acting as a coolant to prevent overheating and by providing pressure and torque for power. High-quality synthetic fluids are formulated to improve durability and lower oxidation, compared to regular transmission fluids derived from crude oil. Nonetheless, both mineral and synthetic transmission fluids used in internal combustion engines (ICE) contribute to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, at a time when original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are facing increasing pressure to reduce emissions.

OEMs are incorporating ever-increasing volumes of electric vehicles (EV) in their vehicle offerings to achieve stringent environmental standards. In 2018, more than 2 million EVs were sold globally, with China contributing 1.2 million, followed by the U.S. Even with sales dropping in the last months of 2019, EV sales are projected to exceed 10 million by 2025 and 50 million by 2040.

However, in the short-term internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles may be the most prudent choice to achieve fuel economy improvements and reduce GHG emissions. Gasoline Compression Ignition (GCI) engines and Octane on Demand (OOD) systems are non-electrical alternatives for improving efficiency and controlling noxious emissions. Most cars utilise spark ignition engines which employ an electric spark to ignite fuel in a combustion chamber. GCI engines differ by using glow plugs, which heat up the compression chamber and rely on compression rather than spark plug and fuel contact, and can achieve higher efficiencies. OOD engines contain both high and low octane fuel; they operate mainly with low octane fuel — using high octane fuel only when needed, which aids in carbon dioxide reduction. The continual improvement of these systems means automatic transmissions may continue to dominate for years to come, eliminating any immediate concerns for automatic transmission fluid (ATF) companies.

Despite the enduring growth of ICE vehicles, partial electrification in the form of hybridisation is a popular stepping stone to full electric vehicle technology. Hybrid vehicles incorporate both a conventional engine and an electric motor which still requires regular oil changes.

Within the hybrid vehicle range, there are multiple transmission architectures: parallel, series, power split, through the road, and complex. Power split hybrids solely use electric variable transmission (EVT) due to their ability to operate in both series and parallel. Parallel hybrids are more versatile in that they can use an array of modified conventional transmissions, such as continuous variable transmission (CVT), stepped automatic (AT), dual-clutch (DCT) and manual transmission.

Currently, automotive companies are using conventional ATFs for EVT transmissions and CVT fluids for parallel hybrid transmissions as the fluid performance requirements of hybrid vehicles vaguely resemble those of ICE vehicles, negating the need for dedicated hybrid fluids. Though, the presence of an integrated electric motor and transmission in hybrid vehicles raises the issue of fluids encountering the electrical motor. The electrical properties of fluids will need to be examined in these cases to gain a better understanding of the fluid’s electrical conductivity.

Dual-clutch transmissions are generating increasing interest. DCT uses clutch plates, like manual transmissions, rather than relying on torque converters. While the gears can swap automatically, there is the versatility to use paddle shifters to manually shift the gears. Automatic transmission (AT) is a simpler and more convenient option, but there are an ever-growing band of enthusiasts who prefer DCTs and greater control over their gears. DCTs are more efficient than ATs because they use fewer mechanical components and slipping elements and offer a high degree of freedom regarding gear ratios. The improved fuel economy is enticing OEMs to drive production.

There are two types of DCTs. Dry clutch systems have a lower torque application with smaller engines and require manual transmission fluids (MTFs). Wet clutch systems retain a higher torque application and require enhanced n DCT fluids (DCTFs), which combine both the gear protection quality of manual transmission fluids (MTFs) and the clutch friction control of ATFs.

A wet clutch is divided into two designs: a single sump for lubricating both the gear and the clutch, or a separate sump for each. Single sump designs are growing in popularity, but the fluid needs to be explicitly designed to complement both the gear and the clutch. Separate sumps involve using DCTF for the clutch and MTF for the gearbox to ensure optimal performance.

DCTs are growing and are forecast to exceed the growth of ATs globally by 2024. While DCTs are expected to dominate the market for performance vehicles, continuous variable transmissions (CVT) may find applications in small automotive markets.

CVT is an automatic transmission that utilizes a pair of variable-width pulleys, rather than gears, for smooth acceleration. Unlike AT, CVT allows for endless gear ratios and can quickly achieve maximum power out of small engines. Nonetheless, CVTs are only viable for small cars with four-cylinder engines due to the difficulty of retaining optimal power at higher loads. In addition, the absence of the gear shifting sensation changes the experience of driving and can be unnerving for some drivers. Ignoring the unorthodox driving sensation, CVT is more affordable than DCT and advocates simplicity when driving.

CVT uses CVT fluids which are more complex than ordinary ATFs and more specific in their applications. The fluids are formulated with full-synthetic or premium base oils, friction modifiers, anti-wear additives, and shear stability modifiers to improve oil lifetime. While ATFs focus primarily on friction control to alleviate gear resistance, CVT fluids are formulated to advocate friction to prevent belts from slipping on the pulley system. As a niche application, the future of CVT fluids depends on the level of dominance of DCT fluids and whether consumers can accept the eccentric nature of the transmission.

China continues to advocate AT as the preferred technological route. They claim that ATs are the most developed technology, its driving torque range has the widest applications and is most suitable for heavy traffic environments in China. China’s total automatic transmission passenger car population is no more than 50% today. New passenger car sales with automatic transmission is around 55% currently and is projected to reach 60% over the next few years.

With the growth of e-mobility, there will be a strong push for lubricant manufacturers to create dedicated hybrid transmission fluids. The current technical issue to address is the compatibility of the fluids due to electric motors being comprised of different materials to combustion engines. Electrical systems tend to operate above 48V as opposed to the 12V of standard engines. Fluids must be modified to reach a balance between conducting and insulating electrical currents; if the conduction is too high, there is a risk of current leakage. If the fluid is too effective in insulating, it could potentially cause static build-up and discharge, which can damage the equipment.

Other major areas for improvement include thermal capacity to cool windings and material compatibility. The performance will also need to be modified to include friction, oxidation, and wear control. Higher quality and less polar stocks such as Group 3 and 3+ can advance these fluids’ electrical properties. – By Dr. Raj Shah and Anson Law