Turbine engine oil specifications: HTS and HPC oils: MIL-PRF-23699 (HTS) and SAE AS5780 (HPC)

Background
Traditionally, turbine engine oils (TEO) used in commercial aircraft engines, including in general aviation, have been defined
by the US military specification MIL-PRF-23699 (formerly MIL-L-23699). Approval to this specification has been the first
essential step in the process of gaining engine equipment manufacturer approval in different engine, engine accessories and
auxiliary power unit types. This specification covers four categories of oil:
• STD – Standard, e.g., AeroShell Turbine Oil 500, Mobil Jet 2, Eastman 2380 and TURBONYCOIL 600
• HTS – High Thermal Stability, e.g., AeroShell Turbine Oil 560, Mobil Jet Oil 254 and Eastman 2197
• C/I – Corrosion Inhibited (this grade is for military use only), e.g., AeroShell Turbine Oil 531, Eastman Aero-D,
TURBONYCOIL 601 and Castrol AeroJet 5
• EE – Enhanced Ester. No oils listed on QPD (qualified products document as of June 2016).

(Note: high load-carrying oils such as AeroShell Turbine Oil 555 are not covered by MIL-PRF-23699 or the new SAE
specification; ASTO 555 is covered by DOD-PRF-8573 and DEF STAN 91-100.)

Although primarily a military specification, MIL-PRF-23699 has served the commercial aviation sector since the 1960s. More
recently, it has been industry practice to replace military specifications with commercial SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers)
specifications, as, in many cases, the test methods for defining the specification are no longer supported. As an example, the
range of AeroShell piston engine oils was originally defined by US (MIL) and UK (DERD) specifications but these have now been
superseded by SAE J-1966 and J-1899 specifications. Both US and UK governments encourage their militaries to adopt civil
standards wherever possible, essentially to save the cost of maintaining military specifications. MIL-PRF-23699 continues to be
supported and has recently been updated to introduce a new category called Enhanced Ester (EE).

Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) AS5780 specification

The SAE E-34 Propulsion Lubricants Committee was established to develop a core TEO specification appropriate to
commercial aviation; it was led by Pratt and Whitney and Rolls-Royce. It was recognised that hotter running engines with
extended times between overhauls meant that the military MIL-PRF-23699 (HTS) specification was no longer adequate to
define the type of oil needed in modern commercial engines. In addition, there were some engine problems associated with
product control deficiencies in certain MIL-PRF-23699 “approved” oils. This prompted the equipment manufacturers to
question the performance requirements of the oil and the control of quality, the management of change in oil formulations
and the oil approval process itself. Such was the seriousness of these problems, that pressure was brought to bear by the
airworthiness authorities for tighter controls on TEOs used in commercial aviation. It is fair to say that SAE Qualified Products
List (QPL) TEOs are probably the most regulated consumable in the aircraft.

In 2005, SAE AS5780 rev A was ratified and issued. SAE AS5780A defines two grades of oil:
a. SPC – Standard Performance Capability, e.g., AeroShell Turbine Oil 500, Mobil Jet 2 and Eastman 2380.
AeroShell Turbine Oil 560 is also listed as SPC but is higher performing compared with other SPC oils.
b. HPC – High Performance Capability, e.g., AeroShell Ascender, Eastman 2197 and Mobil Jet Oil 254.

The SPC grade is almost identical to STD except for additional reporting items included in the SAE specification. The
SAE HPC grade has more stringent performance requirements compared with the HTS grade of MIL-PRF-23699.
AeroShell Ascender was the first new formulation to be approved to the new civil AS5780A specification in September
2007 (HPC category).

Turbine engine oils: HTS and HPC specifications

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The technical differences between SAE AS5780A (HPC) and MIL-PRF-23699F (HTS) grades are detailed in the tables in
Appendix 1.

In summary, HPC oils will have

• very low coking propensity in both liquid and vapour/oil mist phase
• higher oxidative stability
• higher thermal stability
• improved compatibility with a wide range of elastomers
• better defined load-carrying capacity.

The AS 5780 specification, as well as listing all the technical requirements for its two grades of oil, also defines the
procedure to gain qualification approval. This approval activity is managed by the Qualified Products Group (QPG), a
section of the Performance Review Institute, the stand-alone division of SAE that is responsible for product qualifications to
SAE specifications and the QPL. The QPG associated with AS5780 comprises only equipment manufacturers and
specification authorities; oil suppliers cannot be members. This activity is supported by all the major equipment
manufacturers. Approval to AS5780 has become the essential first step to obtaining equipment manufacturers approval.
Individual engine approvals remain necessary to ensure the continuing safe and reliable operation of today’s modern gas
turbine engines.

A. M. Dobbins

Global Technical Manager, Aviation Lubricants

Shell International Petroleum Company

Turbine engine oils: HTS and HPC specifications

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Appendix 1
Differences between SAE AS5780A and MIL-PRF-23699F specifications

Note: Shaded rows indicate where the requirements of MIL-PRF-23699F and SAE AS5780A are identical

TABLE 1: Physical properties

Property Test method MIL-PRF-23699F SAE AS5780A MIL-PRF-23699F SAE AS5780A

HTS HPC STD SPC

Kinematic viscosity @ 100°C, mm2/s (cSt) ASTM D445 or 4.9 to 5.4 4.9 to 5.4 4.9 to 5.4 4.9 to 5.4
Kinematic viscosity @ 40°C, mm2/s (cSt) IP71 23.0 min. 23.0 min. 23.0 min. 23.0 min.
Kinematic viscosity @ –40°C, mm2/s (cSt) 13,000 max. 13,000 max. 13,000 max. 13,000 max.

Viscosity stability, 72 h @ -40°C, % change ASTM D2532 6 max. 6 max. 6 max. 6 max.

Pour point, °C ASTM D97/IP15 –54 max. –54 max. –54 max. –54 max.

Flash point, °C ASTM D92/IP36 246 min. 246 min. 246 min. 246 min.

Evaporation, 6.5 h @ 204 °C, %m ASTM D972 10 max. 10 max. 10 max. 10 max.

Foaming tendency, Sequence I, II, III, ml ASTM D892/IP146 25/0 max. (1) 25/0 max. (1) 25/0 max. (1) 25/0 max. (1)

Shear stability, viscosity change @ 40°C, % ASTM D2603 4 max. 4 max. 4 max. 4 max.

Note: (1) Volume after aeration/volume after 1 minute settling

Turbine engine oils: HTS and HPC specifications 3

TABLE 2: Chemical properties

Property Test method MIL-PRF-23699F SAE AS5780A MIL-PRF-23699F SAE AS5780A

HTS HPC STD SPC

Total acid number (TAN), mg KOH/g SAE ARP5088 1.0 max. 1.0 max. 1.0 max. 1.0 max.

Sediment, mg/L FED-STD-791, 10 max. 10 max. 10 max. 10 max.

Ash, mg/L Method 3010 1 max. (1) 1 max. (1) 1 max. (1) 1 max. (1)
Undissolved water None None None None

Lubricant compatibility FED STD 791,

Sediment, mg/L Method 3403 10 max. 10 max. 10 max. 10 max.
Turbidity (Mod)/DEF STAN None None None None
05-50 (Part 61)
Method 24

Elastomer compatibility: FED-STD-791,

Rubber swell, % methods 3604 and
SAE-AMS3217/1 (nitrile), 72 h @ 70°C 3433 5 min., 25 max. NR 5 min., 25 max. NR
SAE-AMS3217/4 (fluorocarbon), 72 h @ 204°C 5 min., 25 max. 5 min., 25 max. 5 min., 25 max. 5 min., 25 max.
Standard silicone rubber, 96 h @ 121°C 5 min., 25 max. NR 5 min., 25 max. NR
Tensile strength loss, % 30 max NR 30 max. NR

Elastomer compatibility: DEF STAN 05-50 NR NR

Mass change after 24/120 h, % (Part 61) Method
Fluorocarbon 22 11/15 max. 10/15 max.
LCS fluorocarbon 12/20 max. 10/20 max.
Nitrile Report Report
Silicone Report Report
Perfluorocarbon Report NR

Note: If the total sediment does not exceed 1 mg/L, the ash content requirement shall be waived.

Turbine engine oils: HTS and HPC specifications 4

TABLE 2: Chemical properties cont.

Property Metal MIL-PRF-23699F SAE AS5780A MIL-PRF-23699F SAE AS5780A

HTS HPC STD SPC

Trace metals, ppm Aluminium, Al 2 max. 2 max. 2 max. 2 max.

Iron, Fe 2 max. 2 max. 2 max. 2 max.

Chromium, Cr 2 max. 2 max. 2 max. 2 max.

Silver, Ag 1 max. 1 max. 1 max. 1 max.

Copper, Cu 1 max. 1 max. 1 max. 1 max.

Tin, Sn 4 max. 4 max. 4 max. 4 max.

Magnesium, mg 2 max. 2 max. 2 max. 2 max.

Nickel, Ni 2 max. 2 max. 2 max. 2 max.

Titanium, Ti 2 max. 2 max. 2 max. 2 max.

Silicon, Si 10 max. 10 max. 10 max. 10 max.

Lead, Pb 2 max. 2 max. 2 max. 2 max.

Molybdenum, Mo 3 max. 3 max. 3 max. 3 max.

Zinc, Zn 2 max. 2 max. 2 max. 2 max.

Turbine engine oils: HTS and HPC specifications 5

TABLE 3: Stability properties

Property Test method MIL-PRF-23699F SAE AS5780A MIL-PRF-23699F SAE AS5780A

HTS HPC STD SPC

Oxidation and corrosion stability, 72 h @ 175°C: FED-STD-791,

Viscosity change, % Method 5308 0 to +10 0 to +10 –5 to +15 –5 to +15
TAN change, mg KOH/gm (mod.) 1.0 max. 1.0 max. 2.0 max. 2.0 max.
Sediment, mg/100 ml 25 max. 25 max. 50 max. 50 max.
Metal weight change, mg/cm2:
Steel ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2
Silver ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2
Aluminium ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2
Magnesium ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2
Copper ±0.4 ±0.4 ±0.4 ±0.4

Oxidation and corrosion stability, 72 h @ 204°C: FED-STD-791,

Viscosity change, % Method 5308 0 to +22.5 0 to +22.5 –5 to +25 –5 to +25
TAN change, mg KOH/gm (mod.) 2.0 max. 2.0 max 3.0 max 3.0 max
Sediment, mg/100 ml 25 max. 25 max. 50 max. 50 max.
Metal weight change, mg/cm2:
Steel ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2
Silver ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2
Aluminium ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2
Magnesium ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2
Copper ±0.4 ±0.4 ±0.4 ±0.4

Oxidation and corrosion stability, 72 h @ 218°C: FED-STD-791,

Viscosity change, % Method 5308 Report Report Report Report
TAN change, mg KOH/gm (mod) Report Report Report Report
Sediment, mg/100 ml 25 max. 25 max. 50 max. 50 max.
Metal weight change, mg/cm2:
Steel ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2
Silver ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2
Aluminium ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2
Titanium ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2 ±0.2

Turbine engine oils: HTS and HPC specifications 6

TABLE 3: Stability properties cont.

Property Test method MIL-PRF-23699F SAE AS5780A MIL-PRF-23699F SAE AS5780A

HTS HPC STD SPC

Thermal stability and corrosivity, 96 h @ 274°C: FED-STD-791,

Viscosity change, % Method 3411 ±5.0 max. ±5.0 max. ±5.0 max. ±5.0 max.
TAN change, mg KOH/g 6.0 max. 6.0 max. 6.0 max. 6.0 max
Metal weight change, mg/cm2 ±4.0 max. ±4.0 max. ±4.0 max. ±4.0 max.

Oxidative stability (19 2 h): DEF STAN 05-50 NR Report NR Report

E temperature (volume loss = 15%), °C Part 61, Method
A temperature (TAN incr. =1.0 mg KOH/g), °C 9 190 min. 185 min.
V temperature (kinematic visc., incr. = 15%), °C 190 min. 190 min.
B temperature (insolubles incr = 0.05%), °C 190 min. 185 min.
Z temperature (solidification), °C 205 min. Report
Effective life @ 200°C: 210 min. Report
Volatilisation loss, h
TAN increase, h N/A 90 min.
Viscosity increase, h N/A 100 min.
Insolubles increase, h N/A 60 min.
Effective life @ 250°C: N/A 225 mi.n
Volatilisation loss, h
TAN increase, h 4.9 min. 3 min.
Viscosity increase, h 1.4 min. 0.5 min.
Insolubles increase, h 1.9 min. 1.0 min.
22 min. 20 min

Turbine engine oils: HTS and HPC specifications 7

TABLE 4: Deposition properties

Property Test method MIL-PRF-23699F SAE AS5780A MIL-PRF-23699F SAE AS5780A

HTS HPC STD SPC

ERDCO high temperature bearing rig test (USN): FED-STD-791 100-h test: 200-h test 100-h test 100-h test
Demerits Method 3410, 20 max. 40 max. 80 max. 80 max.
Deposits, g severity 1½ 1.5 max. 1.5 max. 3.0 max. 3.0 max.
Oil consumption, ml 2,000 max. 4,000 max. 2,000 max. 2,000 max.
Viscosity increase, % 20 max. 0 to +35 –5 to +30 –5 to +30
TAN increase, mg KOH/g 1.5 max. 2.0 max. 2.0 max. 2.0 max.

HLPS dynamic coking @ 375°C, mg SAE ARP5996

@ 20 h NR 0.4 max. NR Report
@ 40 h NR 0.6 max. NR NR

TABLE 5: Tribological properties

Property Test method MIL-PRF-23699F SAE AS5780A MIL-PRF-23699F SAE AS5780A

HTS HPC STD SPC

Load-carrying capacity (Ryder gear test) FED-STD-791, >102% of >102% of >102% of >102% of
Method 6508 reference oil reference oil reference oil reference oil
(conducted by
USN)

Load-carrying capacity, load stage AIR 4978 NR 15 min. NR 15 min.

Appendix E,
WAM Method

Turbine engine oils: HTS and HPC specifications 8

Appendix A – Report items
Report Items are either (a) those properties where no firm specification limits have yet been developed; as data are generated sufficient to define meaningful specification limits,
these items will be moved into the main specification tables, or (b) information items for which there are no defined limits but that are useful for engine design purposes.
(*Determinations of percentage swell are conducted periodically throughout the test. The term, “no shrinkage”, shall be taken as meaning no reduction in the percentage swell of the
test pieces as the test progresses.)

Property Test method MIL-PRF-23699F SAE AS5780A MIL-PRF-23699F SAE AS5780A

HTS HPC STD SPC

Acid assay, mol% FED-STD-791, Report Report Report Report

Method 3500

Kinematic viscosity @ 200°C, mm2/s (cSt) ASTM D341 NR Report NR Report

Viscosity index ASTM D2270 NR Report NR Report

Pressure–viscosity coefficient @ 38, 65, 93°C Wedeven Method NR Report NR Report

Density @ 15°C, kg/m3 ASTM D4052 NR Report NR Report

Specific heat @ 15, 40, 100, 150, 200°C; J/kg °C ASTM D2766 or NR Report NR Report
E1269

Thermal conductivity Holometrix NR Report NR Report

Electrical conductivity, pS/m ASTM D2624 NR Report NR Report

Turbine engine oils: HTS and HPC specifications 9

Appendix A – Report items (continued)

MIL-PRF-
Property Test method SAE AS5780A MIL-PRF-23699F SAE AS5780A
23699F

HTS HPC STD SPC

Elastomer compatibility, % swell: Snecma Method NR NR

Fluorocarbon, 1,800 h @
100°C 20 max. 20 max.
120°Cl 20 max. 20 max.
140°C No shrinkage* No shrinkage*
160°C No shrinkage* No shrinkage*

Hydrolytic stability @ 90°C DEF-STAN 05-50 NR Report NR Report

part 61, Method 6

Vapour phase coking @ 371°C, mg of deposits SAE ARP 5921 NR 200 max. NR Report
(draft)

High-temperature deposition, mg deposit Alcor HTDT NR 1.0 max. NR Report

Severe wear: ball load @ 1.5 mm WSD, kg AIR 4978 Appendix NR 38 min. NR 38 min.
B, ALTE Severe wear
procedure

Mild wear: WSD @ 20-kg ball load, mm AIR 4978 Appendix NR 1.30 max. NR 1.30 max.
B, ALTE Mild wear
procedure

Turbine engine oils: HTS and HPC specifications 10

Appendix A – Report items (continued)

MIL-PRF-
Property Test method SAE AS5780A MIL-PRF-23699F SAE AS5780A
23699F

HTS HPC STD SPC

Thermal ageing, 550 h** at 150 and 180°C (**also report results @ Turbomeca Method NR NR
150, 330 and 750 h)
Antioxidant content, %: 50 min. Report
150°C 15 min. Report
180°C
Density change, % 0.5 max. Report
150°C 1.0 max. Report
180°C
Viscosity change @ 40°C, % 5 max. 10 max.
150°C 15 max. 25 max.
180°C
Viscosity change @ 100°C, % 4 max. 8 max.
150°C 10 max. 15 max.
180°C
Acidity change, mg KOH/g 2 max. 8 max.
150°C 5 max. 15 max.
180°C
Flash point change, °C 25 max. 70 max.
150°C 50 max. 85 max.
180°C
Sediment, mg/100 ml 2 max. Report
150°C 4 max. Report
180°C

Thermal ageing, 72 h @ 225°C Turbomeca Method NR NR

Acidity change, mg KOH/g 20 max NR
Flash point change, °C 100 max NR

Particulate generation @ 125 psig, 329.5°C, 18 h, mg P&W pressurised NR 120 max. NR 120 max.
bomb test method

Turbine engine oils: HTS and HPC specifications 11