Advancements in vehicle design and increasing demands for enhanced performance and durability are reshaping the automotive coolant market, with a shift toward formulations that offer improved heat dissipation and robust corrosion resistance, says African Group Lubricants (AG Lubricants) lubricants engineer Johan Nell.

Vehicles equipped with compact, high-power-density engines aimed at improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions without compromising performance, are a notable trend in automotive design. The high power density engines generate more heat than traditional engines, which necessitates the use of cooling fluids capable of effective heat removal. In addition, advanced engines require coolants with enhanced corrosion resistance to protect metal components from degradation over extended service periods.

Traditional inorganic additive technology (IAT) or mineral-based coolants, rely on phosphates and silicates to provide corrosion protection. The relatively short service life and limited thermal stability of these coolants make them unsuitable for the demands of modern engines and many manufacturers are phasing them out in favour of more advanced coolant formulations.

Organic acid technology (OAT) and hybrid organic acid technology (HOAT) coolants are emerging as the preferred solutions for modern vehicles. OAT coolant formulations use organic acids to inhibit corrosion, engineered to provide longer-lasting protection and improved thermal stability. Designed to ensure efficient heat transfer over extended service intervals, they are free from silicates and phosphates, reducing the likelihood of scale build-up.

HOAT coolants are said to combine the benefits of both IAT and OAT technologies. They offer enhanced corrosion protection with added silicate stabilisers. This hybrid approach offers greater compatibility with a range of engine materials, including aluminium and magnesium alloys commonly used in modern engines.

Centlube long life OAT engine coolant or antifreeze is a ready-to-use, 50/50 pre-mixed coolant developed by AG Lubricants in partnership with Lubrichem. Designed for both petrol and diesel engines, it offers protection against freezing, boiling, and corrosion.

The coolant is based on patented silicate-free aliphatic additive technology, engineered to provide long-term corrosion protection for all engine metals, including aluminium and ferrous alloys. As an ethylene glycol-based fluid, it enables maintenance-free protection throughout its extended lifespan. It has the potential to last for the life time of the engine or vehicle as a result of the presence of virtually non-depleting corrosion inhibitors.

Centlube long life OAT engine coolant or antifreeze is designed to meet the demands of contemporary engines, offering heat transfer and corrosion protection over extended service intervals. By minimising the frequency of coolant changes, the solution supports lower maintenance costs and improved vehicle reliability.