Cera Tec is an anti-wear additive that is formulated to boost the anti-wear capabilities of motor oil by equipping it with micro-ceramic particles and a load of chemical friction modifiers. While Metal Lube is an anti-friction treatment that directly works on the engine instead of mixing with the motor oil and indirectly doing the same job.
Liqui Moly Cera Tec is named for the ceramic particles that are included along with the friction modifiers. Micro ceramics and friction modifiers each function in different ways. Micro ceramics act mechanically, whereas friction modifiers act organically.
As a result of the coordinated strategic approach, there is less friction, which protects the engine and gearbox. It reduces the need for costly maintenance and extends the life of the assembly.
It has strong thermomechanical endurance, allowing for exceptional lubricating even in harsh environments. It preserves energy and decreases fuel usage while also reducing dangerous exhaust pollutants.
The Liqui Moly Metal Lube anti-friction treatment significantly decreases both dynamic and static friction, lowering operating expenses.
As a result, wear in all of its forms will be eliminated, lowering maintenance expenses. It reduces the excessive heat created by friction while keeping the lubricating oil’s quality. It greatly extends the life of mechanical parts, allowing a motor or equipment to run faster while preventing wear, even if the oil pressure is lost.
| Characteristics | Cera Tec | Metal Lube |
| Manufacturer | Liqui Moly | Metal Lube |
| Country of origin | Germany | USA |
| Category | Anti-wear Additive | Anti-friction Treatment |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline and Diesel | Gas, Diesel, and Gasoline |
| Area of Application | Cars and 4 stroke motorbikes | All types of Vehicles |
| Available Size (ml) | 300 | 945 (32 Oz) |
Table of Contents
Compatibility
Cera Tec is mixable in all commonly available engine oils and can self-mix in 4-stroke automobiles (having both diesel and petrol engines). It has been proven to work with catalytic converters, particle filters (both gasoline and diesel), and turbochargers in testing.
Metal Lube is compatible with all kinds of engines including petrol, diesel, and gas ones. It can be used with the catalytic converter and the particulate filters (both diesel and gasoline).
Composition Analysis
Since Cera Tec is composed of tiny boron nitride ceramics embedded in a synthetic friction modifier mixture. These nanoparticles are responsible for the additive mixture’s brownish coloring, which can be seen in the form of solid solvents that has yet to entirely disperse in the friction modifiers solution.
Petroleum distillates (70 percent) and synthesized esters (30 percent) make up Meta Lube. It also comprises a certain type of hydrocarbon as well as the catalyst which reacts when friction and heat from rotating parts within an engine are created.
| Additives | Base |
| Cera Tec | BN (Boron nitride) micro ceramics |
| Metal Lube | Synthetic esters |
Working
Cera Tec fixes microscopic fractures and faults on the steel engine surface with micro-ceramic boron nitrate grains. Friction modifiers aid in the flattening of the outer surface by forming a series of chemical thin coatings atop the protective layer. Because the surface is smoother, material sliding friction is decreased, and resistance creation becomes less likely, leading to less damage inside the engines.
Metal Lube is made up of a compound that is triggered by excessive heat released by mechanical parts in an engine. It adheres to metallic surfaces in such a way as to limit contact among them even when under intense working circumstances and thud, lowering friction significantly.
The high heat and noise, which cause early degradation and excessive oil and gas utilization, are avoided in this way.
Metal Lube is better at doing its job since it sticks directly to the engine parts instead of helping motor oil to form a stronger protective layer.
Consumption Comparison
Cera Tec falls short in terms of resisting high-temperature vaporization because its flashpoint temperature is much lesser than its competition, causing it to vaporize and consume sooner, even though the ceramic particles within can endure temperatures up to 2192°F. This causes it to be consumed rapidly.
Metal Lube has a significantly higher flashpoint, indicating its higher resistance against premature degradation under extreme heated conditions.
This allows this additive to be used for a longer duration of time. It is also not likely to be filtered out or drained while oil changing since it adheres to the surface of engine components. This makes it last longer than any of its adversaries.
| Additives | Flash Point Temperature (°F) |
| Cera Tec | 100 |
| Metal Lube | 390 |
Impact on Engine’s Performance
Cera Tec improves engines power by simply reducing friction, but it is unable to compete with its counterpart due to lower friction lessening capacity.
Metal Lube restores the engine’s power by decreasing dynamic friction (the force required to sustain movement) means less effort at any given moment while lowering the friction rate or opposition to the motion of two metal surfaces that rub against each other.
It minimizes harmful gas emissions and preserves as well as increases the lifespan of the catalytic converter and oil filter by improving engine performance.
Even in engines with EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) systems, it helps avoid early degradation of motor oil and maintains its qualities steady for longer.
Effect on Engine’s Life
Cera Tec improves the engine’s life by catering to the friction but is bested by its counterpart which offers a higher ability to elongate the engine’s life.
The engine’s lifetime will be greatly extended if it is shielded from frictional wear. Metal Lube increases the engine’s life by reducing the number of scrapes on the pistons and the amount of carbon residue left inside the combustion chamber.
Even the most serious issues induced by camshaft wear may be avoided. The operation of machinery will be considerably smoother, with significant reductions in vibrations and sounds. Differentials and transmissions will see significant improvements as well. Maintenance costs, as well as time and money, will be cut.
Performance at Cold Start
Cera Tec is not considered very effective for cold start damage reduction, it may help little through its chemical friction modifiers which may keep bonded to the engine parts but are very less effective than its competitor.
Metal Lube forms a thin coating over metal surfaces that provides the best shielding while starting the engine. According to the manufacturer, it eliminates 80 percent of an engine’s damage due to wear which happens during the crucial start-up phase.
Fuel Efficiency
Cera Tec is comparatively less fuel-efficient as compared to its counterpart. The primary reason for this is the greater evaporation rate of this additive, rendering it ineffective for fuel economy.
Metal Lube is more efficient in terms of fuel consumption, owing to its lower vaporization rate.
Effectiveness Period
The additives can only be used for a particular amount of mileage until they become ineffective. Cera Tec is good for a certain duration and should be replaced after 50,000 km, as per recommendation from the manufacturer.
Similarly, the developers suggest restoring Metal Lube once every 96,000 km to maintain optimum benefits.
| Additives | Effective Up to (kilometer) |
| Cera Tec | 50,000 |
| Metal Lube | 96,500 |
Recommended Quantity
Additives producers recommend certain volumes of them to be blended with engine oil, comparable to mileage limitations, mainly for the efficient implementations of various products.
For bottle sizes, the 300 ml Cera Tec is poured into 3 to 5 liters of motor oil while the 236 ml of Metal Lube is enough for the 8 liters of motor oil. For a thorough comparison, we have decided to standardize the 1-liter quantity of both.
To increase anti-wear performance, mix 1 liter of Cera Tec in 9 to 12 liters of lubricating oil. Whereas the Metal Lube may carry up to 30 to 35 liters of lubricating oil per liter.
Using these additives outside of the constraints will not render the same efficiency.
| Additives (1 Liter) | The volume of Motor oil catered (liters) |
| Cera Tec | 9 to 12 |
| Metal Lube | 30 to 35 |
Application
The Cera Tec is only made for cars and bikes using the conventional 4-stroke engines any vehicle out of this description is not compatible with this additive. Transmissions, compressors, and pumps can also be lubricated using it. It is recommended for newer automobiles since it aids in the break-in of the engine and guards against abrasive wear.
Metal lube is used to treat engines, gearboxes, and differentials in daily automobiles, high-power automobiles, sailboats, ships, aircraft, lorries, heavy manufacturing equipment, mechanical components, factory processes, and any other form of machines and equipment that uses lubricating oil.
Quick Summary
- Cera Tec is an anti-wear additive while Metal Lube is categorized as an anti-friction treatment.
- Both are fully compatible with petrol and diesel engines and their add-ons.
- Cera Tec employs ceramic particles while Metal Lube uses synthetic esters.
- Cera Tec acts both physically and chemically while Metal Lube does its job chemically.
- Metal Lube is more effective in reducing friction which in turn diminishes wear.
- The vaporization rate of Cera Tec is much higher than its counterpart, indicating a higher consumption rate.
- Metal Lube is effective for restoring power and preventing damage at startup along with prolonging the engine’s life.
- The fuel efficiency of Metal Lube is higher, and it is also effective for extended mileages.
- Metal Lube caters to a larger volume of motor oil and has a broader range of applications.
- Metal lube is affordable and offers better value for money than its competitor.