Lubricating compositions may have three types of essential ingredients: Base-Materials (main ingredient of the lubricating composition), Thickeners (used for preparing grease compositions) and Additives.

Additives are those chemicals used to enhance the performance characteristics of the base material where the additives are normally present in a minor amount of a fully formulated lubricating composition but can be present in a larger amount of an additive concentrate.

Lubricant compositions specially adapted for certain particular applications (e.g. mould release agents, well-drilling compositions, etc.) are classified in other subclasses – see the References sections below.

The use of known lubricants for relevant purposes is classified in the corresponding place, e.g. the use in harvesters or mowers is classified in A01D 69/12.

Subclass C10N is an indexing subclass associated with this subclass, and is for indexing features that are of interest in disclosures classified in this subclass, e.g. properties, uses or special modifications of lubricating compositions.

In the absence of an indication to the contrary a compound is always classified in the last appropriate place.

When only the base material(s) is(are) essential, groups C10M 101/00 - C10M 111/00 are to be considered.

When only the thickener(s) is(are) essential, groups C10M 113/00 - C10M 123/00 are relevant.

Compositions comprising essential additive(s) are classified in groups C10M 125/00 - C10M 167/00.

Mixtures of base-materials, thickeners and additives (at least two of them being essential) are covered by C10M 169/00.

Compositions characterized by physical properties should be classified in C10M 171/00.

Aqueous compositions (more than 10% water) are in C10M 173/00.

Working-up of used lubricants is covered by C10M 175/00.

Preparation or after-treatment is covered by C10M 177/00.

Symbols chosen from subclass C10M and subclass C10N are mandatory and are used to classify additional information.

Subclass C10M is used to classify each component of the compositions, whether they are essential or not. Each of the components of the mixtures covered by groups C10M 111/00, C10M 123/00, C10M 141/00, C10M 157/00, C10M 161/00, C10M 163/00, C10M 165/00, C10M 167/00, C10M 169/00 should be classified by using the corresponding symbol. In subclass C10M the symbols are listed with respect to their chemical structure (e.g. inorganic compounds, organic hydrocarbons, organic compounds comprising H, C and O, organic compounds comprising N, organic compounds comprising P, or organic compounds comprising other atoms).

Subclass C10N is an indexing subclass associated with this subclass, and is for indexing features that are of interest in disclosures classified in this subclass, e.g. properties, uses or special modifications of lubricating compositions.

The groups C10N 2010/00 - C10N 2080/00 are used in combination with indexing codes chosen from subgroups C10M 2201/00 - C10M 2201/18 identifying the chemical nature of the compounds concerned.

Example: C10M 2201/084, C10N 2010/04: inorganic acids or salts containing sulfur, selenium or tellurium used as ingredients in lubricant compositions and wherein the metal present in the acids or salts is from group II, e.g. Mg, Ca, Ba, Zn, Cd or Hg.

Indexing Codes C10N 2020/099 - C10N 2020/106 are only used in association with group C10M 171/008 to provide information about the specific refrigerant.

In this subclass, C-Sets classification is applied to the following groups, listed in the table below, if the document discloses a pertinent combination of technical features that cannot be covered by the allocation of a single symbol. The fourth column of the table indicates the place where the detailed information about the C-Sets construction and the associated syntax rules can be found, in the definition section under the "Special rules of classification".

The specific C-Sets rule is located at only one place of the base symbol in the section "Special rules of classification" in the definition. If the C-Sets rule is applicable to all groups of a subclass, it is located at the subclass level only. If the same C-Sets rule is applicable to multiple groups or subgroups within the same subclass, the C-Sets rule is placed at the highest group or subgroup of the multiple groups.

Symbols from C10M 2203/1006 - C10M 2203/1085 and C10M 2205/163 should be additionally added.

Lubricating compositions comprising a base-material being an inorganic material as single ingredient or a composition comprising an inorganic material, e.g.

Symbols from C10M 2201/0403 - C10M 2201/123 are more detailed than the subgroup C10M 103/00 and are used as a subdivision thereof.

Lubricating compositions comprising a base-material being a non-macromolecular organic compound, as single ingredient or a composition comprising a non-macromolecular organic compound e.g.

Symbols from in C10M 2203/003, C10M 2207/003, C10M 2211/003, C10M 2215/003, C10M 2219/003, C10M 2223/003 and C10M 2227/003 should be additionally used.

Lubricating compositions comprising a base-material being a macromolecular organic compound as single ingredient or a composition comprising a macromolecular organic compound, e.g.

Symbols from C10M 2205/003, C10M 2209/003, C10M 2213/003, C10M 2217/003, C10M 2221/003, C10M 2225/003 and C10M 2229/003 should be additionally used.

Lubricating compositions comprising a base-material being a compound of unknown or incompletely defined constitution as single ingredient or a composition comprising this compound, e.g.

Symbols from C10M 2205/163 - C10M 2205/203 should be additionally used if necessary.

Mixtures of essential ingredients as base materials. The ingredients are not covered by the same above-mentioned group.

Lubricating compositions comprising a thickening agent being an inorganic material as single ingredient or a composition comprising an inorganic material, e.g.

Symbols from C10M 2201/0406 - C10M 2201/145 and C10N 2010/00 if a metal is concerned, should be additionally used.

Lubricating compositions comprising a thickening agent being a non-macromolecular organic compound other than a carboxylic acid or salt thereof, as single ingredient or a composition comprising a non-macromolecular organic compound other than a carboxylic acid or salt thereof e.g

Symbols from C10M 2203/006, C10M 2207/0206 - C10M 2207/095, C10M 2211/006, C10M 2215/006, C10M 2219/006, C10M 2223/006, C10M 2227/006 should be additionally used

Lubricating compositions comprising a thickening agent being a non-macromolecular carboxylic acid or salt thereof, as single ingredient or a composition comprising a non-macromolecular carboxylic acid or salt thereof e.g.

Metal soaps (lithium, sodium,potassium, calcium magnesium salts)

Additionally, symbols from C10M 2207/106 - C10M 2207/246, and C10N 2010/00 should be used.

Lubricating compositions comprising a thickening agent being a macromolecular organic compound, as single ingredient or a composition comprising a macromolecular organic compound e.g

Symbols from C10M 2205/006, C10M 2209/006, C10M 2213/006, C10M 2217/006, C10M 2221/006, C10M 2225/006, C10M 2229/006 should be additionally used.

Lubricating compositions comprising a thickener being a compound of unknown or incompletely defined constitution, e.g.

Symbols from C10M 2203/1013, C10M 2207/2613, C10M 2207/2626, C10M 2219/0466 should be additionally used.

Mixtures of essential ingredients as thickeners. The ingredients are not covered by the same group.

Lubricating compositions comprising an additive being an inorganic material, e.g.

Additionally, symbols from C10M 2201/02 - C10M 2201/18 and C10N 2010/00, if a metal is concerned, should be used.

Lubricating compositions comprising an additive being a non-macromolecular fractions, e.g.

Symbols from C10M 2203/02 - C10M 2203/06, C10M 2205/22 should be additionally used.

Lubricating compositions comprising an additive being an organic non-macromolecular compound containing oxygen, e.g.

.

Compounds are classified in view of the carbon chain length. An oxygenated compound substituted with a polyolefin (e.g. polyisobutylene) is considered a non-macromolecular compound. Compounds with a carbon chain of less than 30 atoms are to be classified in the subgroup C10M 129/02. Compounds with a carbon chain of 30 or more atoms are to be classified in the subgroup C10M 129/86.

Symbols from C10M 2207/02 - C10M 2207/34 should be additionally used.

Lubricating compositions comprising an additive being an organic non-macromolecular compound containing halogen, e.g.

Symbol C10M 2211/00 should be additionally used

Lubricating compositions comprising an additive being an organic non-macromolecular compound containing nitrogen, e.g.

Compounds are classified in view of the carbon chain length. A nitrogen compound substituted with a polyolefin (e.g. polyisobutylene) is considered a non-macromolecular compound. Compounds with a carbon chain of less than 30 atoms are to be classified in the subgroup C10M 133/02. Compounds with a carbon chain of 30 or more atoms are to be classified in the subgroup C10M 133/52. Symbol C10M 2215/00 should be additionally used.

Lubricating compositions comprising an additive being an organic non-macromolecular compound containing sulphur, selenium or tellurium, e.g.

Symbol in C10M 2219/00 should be additionally used.

Lubricating compositions comprising an additive being an organic non-macromolecular compound containing phosphorous, e.g.

Symbol in C10M 2223/00 should be additionally used.

Lubricating compositions comprising an additive being an organic non-macromolecular compound containing atoms of elements not provided for in groups C10M 127/00 - C10M 137/00, e.g.

Symbol in C10M 2227/00 should be additionally used.

Compositions comprising at least 2 different essential additives, each of the additives being in a different main group.

Lubricating compositions comprising an additive being a macromolecular hydrocarbon or such hydrocarbon modified by oxidation, e.g.

Symbol in C10M 2205/00 should be additionally used.

Lubricating compositions comprising an additive being a macromolecular compound containing oxygen, e.g.

Symbol in C10M 2209/00 should be additionally used.

Lubricating compositions comprising an additive being a macromolecular compound containing halogen, e.g.

Symbol in C10M 2213/00 should be additionally used.

Lubricating compositions comprising an additive being a macromolecular compound containing nitrogen, e.g.

C10M 2217/00 should be additionally used.

Lubricating compositions comprising an additive being a macromolecular compound containing sulphur, selenim or tellurium, e.g.

Sulfurized polyolefins

Polyoxyalkylene ethers with a thioether group

Symbol in C10M 2221/00 should be additionally used.

Lubricating compositions comprising an additive being a macromolecular compound containing phosphorous, e.g. compounds obtained by phosphorisation of macromolecular compounds

Symbol in C10M 2225/00 should be additionally used.

Lubricating compositions comprising an additive being a macromolecular compound containing atoms of elements not provided for in groups C10M 143/00 - C10M 153/00, e.g.

Symbol in C10M 2229/00 should be additionally added.

Compositions comprising at least 2 different essential macromolecular additives, each of the additives being in a different main group.

Lubricating compositions comprising an additive being an additive being of unknown or incompletely defined by constitution, e.g.

Symbol in C10M 2205/00, C10M 2209/00, C10M 2213/00, C10M 2217/00, C10M 2221/00, C10M 2225/00, C10M 2229/00, C10M 2207/028, C10M 2207/26, C10M 2207/262, C10M 2219/046, C10M 2219/089, C10M 2223/061, C10M 2227/09 should be additionally used.

Compositions comprising at least 2 different essential additives,one falling within the groups C10M 125/00-C10M 139/00, the other falling within the groups C10M 143/00-C10M 155/00 or the subgroup C10M 159/005.

Compositions comprising at least 2 different essential additives, one falling within the groups C10M 125/00-C10M 139/00, the other falling within the subgroups C10M 159/02 - C10M 159/24

Compositions comprising at least 2 different essential additives, one falling within the groups C10M 143/00-C10M 155/00 or the subgroup C10M 159/005, the other falling within the subgroups C10M 159/02 - C10M 159/24.

Compositions comprising at least 3 different essential additives, one being a compound falling within the groups C10M 125/00-C10M 139/00, the second falling within the groups C10M 143/00-C10M 155/00 or the subgroup C10M 159/005, the third falling within the subgroups C10M 159/02 - C10M 159/24.

Compositions comprising at least 2 different essential ingredients:

A mixture comprising a base oil, a thickener and an additive, each of them being essential is classified in C10M 169/00. All components should also be classified in groups C10M 2201/00 - C10M 2229/0545 as appropriate.

Lubricating compositions characterised only by physical properties, e.g.

Ionic liquids or liquid crystals are classified in C10M 171/00. Symbol in C10N 2020/00 and in C10N 2030/00, generally, are to be associated with this group.

Lubricating compositions with more than 10% of water, e.g.

Each of the components should be classified by using the symbol referred to in the above groups.

All the processes for recovering useful products from used lubricants.

For specific composition of lubricant made from biomaterial, e.g. garbage, sludge, animal fat, vegetable oils, groups C10M 105/00, C10M 107/00 for the oil base, C10M 115/00 - C10M 119/00 for the thickener and C10M 159/02 for the additive are used for classification.

Combinations of symbols chosen from C10M, C10N are used in a C-set for classifying a specific ingredient having a specific parameter. A Group III base oil (base oil having a viscosity index of 120 or more and comprising 0.03 % or less sulfur and 90% or more saturates) is classified with C10M 2203/1025, C10N 2020/02.

A specific salt may be indexed by using a combination of symbols chosen from C10M, C10N in a C-set. A neutral calcium sulfonate is classified as (C10M 2219/044, C10N 2010/04).

In this group, C-Sets (#C10Ma, #C10Mb) are used. The detailed information about the C-Sets construction and the associated syntax rules are found in the "Special rules of classification" in C10M 2201/00.

In this group, C-Sets (#C10Ma, #C10Mb, #C10Mc) are used. The detailed information about the C-Sets construction and the associated syntax rules are found in the "Special rules of classification" in C10M 2201/00 or below.

Combinations of symbols chosen from C10M, C10N are used in a C-set for classifying well-defined polymers. A polymer of ethylene and acrylate may be classified as (C10M 2205/022, C10M 2209/084), using the alphanumerical order.

In this group, C-Sets (#C10Ma, #C10Mb) are used. The detailed information about the C-Sets construction and the associated syntax rules are found in the "Special rules of classification" in C10M 2201/00.

In this group, C-Sets (#C10Ma, #C10Mb, #C10Mc) are used. The detailed information about the C-Sets construction and the associated syntax rules are found in the "Special rules of classification" in C10M 2201/00 and C10M 2205/00.

Combinations of symbols chosen from C10M, C10M are used in a C-set for identifying the alkylene oxide of the polyethers etherified or esterified.

In this group, C-Sets (#C10Ma, #C10Mb) are used. The detailed information about the C-Sets construction and the associated syntax rules are found in the "Special rules of classification" in C10M 2201/00.

In this group, C-Sets (#C10Ma, #C10Mb, #C10Mc) are used. The detailed information about the C-Sets construction and the associated syntax rules are found in the "Special rules of classification" in C10M 2201/00 and C10M 2205/00.

Substances that are fully fluorinated molecules in which every hydrogen atom bonded to a carbon in the alkane backbone (carbon chain) is replaced by a fluorine atom except for the carbon at one end of the chain that has a charged functional group attached.

In this group, C-Sets (#C10Ma, #C10Mb) are used. The detailed information about the C-Sets construction and the associated syntax rules are found in the "Special rules of classification" in C10M 2201/00.

In this group, C-Sets (#C10Ma, #C10Mb, #C10Mc) are used. The detailed information about the C-Sets construction and the associated syntax rules are found in the "Special rules of classification" in C10M 2201/00 and C10M 2205/00.

In this group, C-Sets (#C10Ma, #C10Mb) are used. The detailed information about the C-Sets construction and the associated syntax rules are found in the "Special rules of classification" in C10M 2201/00.

In this group, C-Sets (#C10Ma, #C10Mb, #C10Mc) are used. The detailed information about the C-Sets construction and the associated syntax rules are found in the "Special rules of classification" in C10M 2201/00 and C10M 2205/00.

In this group, C-Sets (#C10Ma, #C10Mb) are used. The detailed information about the C-Sets construction and the associated syntax rules are found in the "Special rules of classification" in C10M 2201/00.

In this group, C-Sets (#C10Ma, #C10Mb, #C10Mc) are used. The detailed information about the C-Sets construction and the associated syntax rules are found in the "Special rules of classification" in C10M 2201/00 and C10M 2205/00.

In this group, C-Sets (#C10Ma, #C10Mb) are used. The detailed information about the C-Sets construction and the associated syntax rules are found in the "Special rules of classification" in C10M 2201/00.

In this group, C-Sets (#C10Ma, #C10Mb, #C10Mc) are used. The detailed information about the C-Sets construction and the associated syntax rules are found in the "Special rules of classification" in C10M 2201/00 and C10M 2205/00.