Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 Hydraulic Oil
ISO VG 46 Zinc-Free Antiwear Hydraulic Oil for Industrial and Mobile Equipment
Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 is a high-performance ISO VG 46 antiwear hydraulic oil designed for modern high-pressure industrial and mobile hydraulic systems.
The formulation uses synthetic technology base oils with a proprietary zinc-free additive system to provide wear protection, deposit control, oxidation resistance, hydraulic efficiency and stable viscosity across a broad operating-temperature range.
Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 is particularly suited to hydraulic systems using high-output pumps, close-clearance servo or proportional valves and equipment that experiences both cold starts and elevated operating temperatures.
Key Benefits
- ISO VG 46 hydraulic oil
- Zinc-free antiwear formulation
- Synthetic technology base oils
- Designed for high-pressure industrial and mobile hydraulic systems
- Helps protect gear, vane and piston pumps
- High viscosity index for wide-temperature operation
- Strong shear stability
- Ultra keep-clean performance helps control deposits
- Excellent oxidation and thermal stability
- Excellent air-release characteristics
- Helps protect against aeration, cavitation and micro-dieseling
- Good compatibility with seals and elastomers
- Multi-metal compatibility
- Suitable for close-clearance servo and proportional valve systems
- Up to 6% hydraulic pump efficiency improvement versus Mobil standard hydraulic fluids in controlled testing
- Demonstrated up to 3X oil life compared with Mobil standard hydraulic fluids in Mobil laboratory and field evaluations
- Pour point of -45°C
- Meets DIN 51524-2 and DIN 51524-3 requirements
- Meets ISO L-HM and ISO L-HV requirements
Hydraulic System Efficiency
Mobil DTE 10 Excel was developed to help reduce frictional losses within hydraulic systems.
In controlled laboratory testing, Mobil reports that the DTE 10 Excel Series provided up to a 6% improvement in hydraulic pump efficiency compared with Mobil standard hydraulic fluids in standard hydraulic applications.
Depending on the equipment and operating conditions, improved hydraulic efficiency may contribute to:
- Reduced power consumption
- Faster system response
- Increased machine output
Efficiency improvement varies by hydraulic system design, operating temperature, load, pump type and other application conditions. The 6% value should not be interpreted as a guaranteed energy saving for every machine.
Zinc-Free Antiwear Hydraulic Oil
Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 uses a zinc-free antiwear additive system.
The formulation is designed to provide protection in:
- Gear pumps
- Vane pumps
- Piston pumps
The zinc-free chemistry also helps minimize deposit formation in demanding hydraulic systems, including equipment with small clearances and sensitive hydraulic controls.
Ultra Keep-Clean Performance
Modern hydraulic systems often use close-tolerance components that can be sensitive to varnish, sludge and other deposits.
Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 is formulated to help protect components such as:
- Servo valves
- Proportional valves
- Hydraulic pumps
- Actuators
- Precision hydraulic controls
Deposit control can help reduce sticking and malfunction in systems where clean fluid is important to reliable operation.
High Viscosity Index and Wide-Temperature Operation
Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 has a typical viscosity index of 163.
A high viscosity index helps the fluid maintain useful viscosity characteristics as operating temperature changes.
This supports hydraulic performance during:
- Cold startup
- Normal operating temperatures
- Elevated hydraulic-system temperatures
Mobil has demonstrated DTE 10 Excel Series operation at temperatures as low as -34°C while maintaining ISO viscosity grade.
The ISO VG 46 product has a typical pour point of -45°C. The correct hydraulic-fluid viscosity should still be selected according to the equipment manufacturer's requirements and expected operating-temperature range.
Shear Stability
Hydraulic oils can experience mechanical shear as they pass repeatedly through pumps, valves and other system components.
Excessive viscosity loss can reduce lubricant film thickness and affect hydraulic performance.
The current PDS reports a typical viscosity loss of 8% in the CEC L-45-A-99 shear stability test for the ISO VG 46 grade.
Oxidation and Thermal Stability
Heat and oxygen can gradually degrade hydraulic oil and contribute to oil thickening, sludge, varnish and deposits.
Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 is formulated for strong oxidation and thermal stability to help maintain fluid performance in demanding hydraulic systems.
Mobil reports that, in laboratory and in-service field demonstrations, DTE 10 Excel Series fluids outlasted Mobil standard hydraulic fluids by up to three times while maintaining system cleanliness and component protection. Actual fluid life depends on equipment, temperature, contamination, filtration and maintenance practices.
Air Release and Cavitation Protection
Entrained air can interfere with hydraulic-system performance and contribute to cavitation, micro-dieseling, increased noise and reduced system response.
Mobil DTE 10 Excel is formulated with strong air-separation characteristics, which are especially useful in systems with short reservoir residence times.
For ISO VG 46, the current PDS lists foam tendency/stability values of 30/0 ml in ASTM D892 Sequences I, II and III.
Industrial and Mobile Hydraulic Applications
Typical compatible applications include:
- Manufacturing equipment
- Injection molding machines
- CNC machinery
- Machine tools
- Industrial presses
- Hydraulic power units
- Automated production equipment
- Construction equipment
- Material-handling equipment
- Mobile machinery
- Compatible agricultural equipment
Always verify the required viscosity and specification before changing hydraulic fluids.
CNC and Precision Hydraulic Systems
Mobil specifically identifies hydraulic systems subject to deposit buildup, including sophisticated Computer Numerically Controlled machines, as an intended application.
The combination of keep-clean performance, oxidation resistance and zinc-free antiwear protection makes DTE 10 Excel 46 relevant where hydraulic cleanliness and precise valve operation are important.
ISO VG 46 Viscosity
Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 is classified as ISO VG 46.
- Kinematic viscosity at 40°C: 45.7 mm²/s
- Kinematic viscosity at 100°C: 8.4 mm²/s
- Viscosity Index: 163
ISO VG 46 should only be used where the equipment manufacturer specifies or permits that viscosity grade.
Cold-Temperature Performance
The current ISO VG 46 properties include:
- Brookfield viscosity at -20°C: 1,900 mPa·s
- Brookfield viscosity at -30°C: 6,790 mPa·s
- Brookfield viscosity at -40°C: 125,000 mPa·s
- Pour point: -45°C
A low pour point alone does not define the minimum permissible operating temperature for a particular hydraulic system. Pump design, suction conditions and OEM viscosity limits must also be considered.
Seal and Material Compatibility
Mobil identifies DTE 10 Excel Series as having good compatibility with elastomers and seals.
The formulation also provides multi-metal compatibility for hydraulic equipment containing a variety of component metallurgy.
Mobil DTE 15M Legacy Reference
Older equipment manuals may reference Mobil DTE 15M in ISO VG 46 hydraulic applications where newer documentation references Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46.
For older equipment, use the manufacturer's current lubricant specification as the primary basis for fluid selection.
Current Approvals
- Arburg Hydraulic Fluid
- Denison HF-0
- Denison HF-1
- Denison HF-2
- Eaton E-FDGN-TB002-E
- HOCNF Norway-NEMS, Black
- Husky
- Krauss-Maffei Hydraulic Oil
- Ortlinghaus-Werke GmbH ON 9.2.10
- Ortlinghaus-Werke GmbH ON 9.2.19
- ZF TE-ML 04K
- ZF TE-ML 04R
Recommended for Applications Requiring
- Fives Cincinnati P-70
- Valmet Paper RAUAH00929_04 hydraulic systems
Meets or Exceeds
- ASTM D6158 Class HVHP
- China GB 11118.1-2011 L-HM General
- China GB 11118.1-2011 L-HM High Pressure
- China GB 11118.1-2011 L-HV
- DIN 51524-2:2017-06
- DIN 51524-3:2017-06
- ISO L-HM, ISO 11158:2009
- ISO L-HV, ISO 11158:2009
- JCMAS HK VG46W
Typical Technical Properties
| Property |
Typical Value |
| ISO Viscosity Grade |
46 |
| Kinematic Viscosity at 40°C |
45.7 mm²/s |
| Kinematic Viscosity at 100°C |
8.4 mm²/s |
| Viscosity Index |
163 |
| Brookfield Viscosity at -20°C |
1,900 mPa·s |
| Brookfield Viscosity at -30°C |
6,790 mPa·s |
| Brookfield Viscosity at -40°C |
125,000 mPa·s |
| Pour Point |
-45°C |
| Flash Point, COC |
230°C |
| Density at 15°C |
0.851 kg/L |
| Copper Strip Corrosion |
1B |
| FZG Scuffing Fail Load Stage |
12 |
| Dielectric Strength |
38.2 kV |
| Shear Stability, Viscosity Loss |
8% |
| Foam Sequences I / II / III |
30/0 ml each |
Typical properties represent normal production values and should not be treated as guaranteed batch specifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46?
Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 is an ISO VG 46 zinc-free antiwear hydraulic oil designed for high-pressure industrial and mobile hydraulic systems.
Is Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 synthetic?
Mobil's current Product Data Sheet says the DTE 10 Excel Series is constructed from synthetic technology base oils. It should not be described as a full synthetic hydraulic oil unless Mobil specifically uses that terminology for the product.
What viscosity is Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46?
It is an ISO VG 46 hydraulic oil with typical kinematic viscosity of 45.7 mm²/s at 40°C and 8.4 mm²/s at 100°C.
Is Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 zinc-free?
Yes. Mobil uses a zinc-free antiwear additive system designed to protect gear, vane and piston pumps while helping minimize deposits.
Is Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 an antiwear hydraulic oil?
Yes. Antiwear protection is one of the product's primary functions.
Does Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 meet DIN 51524-2?
Yes. The current PDS lists DIN 51524-2:2017-06 among the requirements met or exceeded.
Does Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 meet DIN 51524-3?
Yes. ISO VG 46 is listed as meeting or exceeding DIN 51524-3:2017-06.
Does Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 meet ISO 11158 L-HV?
Yes. The current PDS lists ISO L-HV under ISO 11158:2009 for the ISO VG 46 grade.
Does Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 meet ISO 11158 L-HM?
Yes. ISO L-HM under ISO 11158:2009 is also listed.
Is Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 approved by Denison?
The current PDS lists approvals for Denison HF-0, HF-1 and HF-2 for the ISO VG 46 grade.
Is Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 approved by Eaton?
Yes. Eaton E-FDGN-TB002-E is listed among its current approvals for ISO VG 46.
Does Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 have a ZF approval?
Yes. The current Product Data Sheet lists ZF TE-ML 04K and ZF TE-ML 04R for ISO VG 46.
Is Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 suitable for CNC machines?
Yes. Mobil specifically lists hydraulic systems subject to deposit buildup, including sophisticated CNC machines with close-clearance servo valves, among its applications.
Can Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 be used in piston pumps?
Yes. The zinc-free antiwear system is designed to protect gear, vane and piston pumps.
Is Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 good for cold weather?
It has strong low-temperature properties for an ISO VG 46 hydraulic fluid, including a typical pour point of -45°C and high viscosity index. Whether ISO VG 46 is appropriate for a particular cold-weather application depends on the hydraulic-system manufacturer's viscosity requirements.
What is the viscosity index of Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46?
The current U.S. Product Data Sheet lists a typical viscosity index of 163.
What is the pour point of Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46?
The typical pour point is -45°C.
What is the flash point of Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46?
The current PDS lists a typical Cleveland Open Cup flash point of 230°C.
Does Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 improve hydraulic efficiency?
Mobil reports up to a 6% improvement in hydraulic pump efficiency compared with Mobil standard hydraulic fluids in controlled laboratory testing. Actual efficiency changes vary by equipment and operating conditions.
Can Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 extend hydraulic oil life?
Mobil reports that DTE 10 Excel Series fluids outlasted Mobil standard hydraulic fluids by up to three times in comparative laboratory and field demonstrations. Actual service life depends on operating conditions, contamination, filtration, temperature and maintenance practices.
Does Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 help prevent hydraulic deposits?
Yes. Mobil emphasizes ultra keep-clean performance and oxidation stability to help minimize deposit formation, particularly in systems with tight-tolerance valves.
Is Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 the replacement for Mobil DTE 15M?
Mobil DTE 15M is a legacy name found in older equipment documentation for ISO VG 46 hydraulic applications that may now reference DTE 10 Excel 46. Verify the current OEM lubricant requirement before substituting fluids.
Can Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 be used in rotary screw compressors?
The current January 2024 U.S. Product Data Sheet does not list rotary screw compressors among the recommended applications. For compressor service, use a lubricant specifically recommended for the compressor and gas service involved.
Can Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 be mixed with another hydraulic oil?
Compatibility should not be assumed solely because two products share the same viscosity grade. When changing fluids, confirm base-fluid and additive compatibility and follow the equipment manufacturer's flushing or changeover procedure.
How often should Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46 be changed?
Oil-change intervals should be based on the equipment manufacturer's recommendations, operating conditions, filtration, contamination control and preferably used-oil analysis.
