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Overbased Magnesium Sulfonate Detergent — TBN 400
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Overbased magnesium sulfonate
magnesium sulfonate detergent
Description：
Factory-direct overbased magnesium sulfonate detergent TBN 400. ~25% less ash than Ca sulfonate at equal TBN. For low-SAPS engine oils, marine cylinder oils, gas engine oils. Request TDS/MSDS.
Category：
Detergents & TBN Booster
Product Details
Quick Specs
| TBN | 400 mgKOH/g |
| Metal | Magnesium |
| Ash Benefit | ~25% less ash vs. Ca sulfonate at equal TBN |
| Appearance | Dark viscous liquid |
| CAS Number | 61790-32-9 |
| Packaging | 200 kg metal drum / 1000 kg IBC tote |
| MOQ | 1 drum / 1 IBC |
| Lead Time | 7–15 days after order confirmation |
What is Overbased Magnesium Sulfonate?
TBN 400. Roughly 25% less sulfated ash than calcium sulfonate at equal TBN. That's the entire value proposition in one sentence.
Overbased magnesium sulfonate is a high-TBN detergent where the metal is magnesium instead of calcium. The difference matters because magnesium is lighter — atomic mass 24.3 vs. 40.1 for calcium. Same TBN = same number of acid-neutralizing equivalents of metal. But the magnesium atoms weigh less, so the resulting metal sulfate ash (the residue when oil burns) weighs less. In low-SAPS formulations pushing against ILSAC GF-6 or ACEA C-series ash limits, a 25% ash reduction per unit of TBN is real headroom — it buys the formulator space to keep more ZDDP or stay under the specification ceiling.
The chemistry: alkylarylsulfonic acid neutralized and overbased with magnesium. The sulfonate substrate provides oil solubility and dispersancy. The overbased portion — roughly 70% of the product mass at TBN 400 — is amorphous magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃), stabilized as a colloidal reverse micelle. The metal ratio is approximately 15–20 equivalents of Mg per equivalent of sulfonic acid.
Manufacturing magnesium sulfonate is harder than calcium sulfonate. MgO is a weaker base than Ca(OH)₂. The neutralization requires a stronger magnesium base — typically magnesium alkoxide — before the overbasing step, which itself uses a high-temperature alkylphenol promoter system rather than the simpler alcohol-water system used for calcium. The manufacturing complexity explains the cost premium. For formulations where ash control justifies it, the premium pays for itself. For deeper context, read magnesium sulfonate: the low-ash lubricant detergent.
Structure & Chemistry
MgCO₃ Core — ~70% of Product Mass
At TBN 400, amorphous magnesium carbonate particles (~2–5 nm) are encapsulated by sulfonate soap in a reverse micelle. High-temperature overbasing produces a more amorphous core that resists crystallization during storage better than calcium carbonate cores.
Mg = 24.3 vs. Ca = 40.1
Same TBN = same equivalents of metal base. But Mg atoms weigh 40% less than Ca atoms. When the oil burns, MgSO₄ ash weighs ~25% less than CaSO₄ ash per unit of TBN delivered. This is the structural reason for the ash advantage.
High-temperature overbasing matters:
Calcium sulfonates are typically overbased at low temperature (≤100°C) using an alcohol-water promoter system. Magnesium sulfonates require high-temperature overbasing (>100°C) with a low-MW alkylphenol promoter. The different process conditions produce structurally different micelles — MgCO₃ cores tend to stay more amorphous and resist crystallization longer than CaCO₃ cores. This is a practical advantage for formulators who store detergent drums for extended periods.
Key Features
TBN 400 — Maximum Alkalinity Density
One drum does the alkalinity work of roughly three drums of TBN 150 calcium sulfonate. Delivers more acid neutralization per unit of additive than any other CheMost detergent grade.
~25% Less Ash vs. Ca Sulfonate
Mg's lower atomic mass = less metal sulfate residue. In ILSAC GF-6 (0.08% P max) and ACEA C2/C3 (≤0.8% ash) formulations, that 25% headroom is the difference between passing and failing the spec.
High-Temperature Detergency
Mg sulfonates provide superior piston deposit control at elevated temperatures compared to Ca sulfonates. The MgCO₃ core decomposes at higher temperature than CaCO₃, providing alkalinity deeper into the hot zone.
Built-in Corrosion Inhibition
The neutral Mg sulfonate soap forms a protective surface film on ferrous metals — independent of the overbased carbonate reserve. Dual function: acid neutralization + metal surface protection.
Applications
Low-SAPS Engine Oils
Treat rate: 0.5–2.0%. ILSAC GF-6, ACEA C2/C3/C5 — formulations where sulfated ash limits are the primary constraint. Mg sulfonate delivers TBN with minimum ash, leaving room for ZDDP and other additives.
Marine Cylinder Oils
Partial replacement for calcium sulfonate in 70–100 BN marine cylinder oils. TBN 400 delivers alkalinity density while the lower ash contribution helps meet tightening marine emissions regulations.
Natural Gas Engine Oils
Low-ash formulations for landfill, digester, and pipeline gas engines. Mg sulfonate's high-temperature detergency is valued in extended-interval stationary engine service.
Fuel Oil Additives
Treat rate: 50–500 ppm in residual fuel. Mg content controls high-temperature corrosion from vanadium and sodium compounds during combustion.
Compatibility & Blending
Blend Mg + Ca sulfonates to balance ash/TBN ratio. Mg reduces ash; Ca provides cost-effectiveness.
Complementary. Phenate provides antioxidant function. Mg sulfonate provides high-TBN alkalinity with low ash.
Standard engine oil pairing. Detergent + dispersant = core deposit control system.
ZDDP & Antioxidants
Mg's lower ash frees ZDDP headroom under ash specs. Compatible with phenolic/aminic AOs.
Base Oils
Group I, II, III mineral oils. Pre-diluted grades available for easier blending.
Not Compatible With
Strong acids (consume TBN). Water contamination can destabilize the micelle structure.
Synonyms & Regulatory Information
| Common Name | Overbased Magnesium Sulfonate |
| CAS Number | 61790-32-9 |
| Synonyms | Magnesium alkylarylsulfonate, Magnesium alkylbenzene sulfonate, Overbased Mg sulfonate, Magnesium petroleum sulfonate, TBN 400 magnesium sulfonate |
| HS Code | 3811.21 |
| REACH | Registered |
Documentation
Contact us for Technical Data Sheet (TDS), Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), and batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA).
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Evaluate Magnesium Sulfonate?
Free 1 kg samples within 3 working days. Tell us your target TBN and sulfated ash limit.
Request Free Sample & TDS ⟶Last updated: May 6, 2026
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