In the world of electronics cooling, bearing lubrication often takes a backseat to airflow metrics, fan design, and thermal paste specifications. Yet, the long-term stability of rotating components—especially those utilizing sintered bronze bearings—depends heavily on the molecular behavior of the lubricant in use.
At Big Bang PCs, we’ve engineered Unicorn Blood™ from the ground up to meet the needs of high-RPM, thermally stressed, mission-critical systems using porous metal sleeve bearings. The result is a PAO-based synthetic oil, fortified with a polymeric Viscosity Index Improver (VII), capable of delivering multi-decade stability under extreme operating conditions.
Base Chemistry: PAO (Polyalphaolefin) Group IV Synthetic Oil
At its core, Unicorn Blood is composed of Group IV polyalphaolefins (PAOs) — synthetic hydrocarbons derived from the oligomerization of 1-decene. PAOs are prized in precision lubrication applications for their:
High thermal oxidative stabilityz
Low volatility (Noack evaporation <1%)
Excellent viscosity-temperature behavior
Chemical inertness and dielectric safetyUnicorn Blood uses a mid-weight PAO base (~40–60 cSt @ 40 °C), optimized for high capillary uptake in sintered matrices without excessive surface drag.
PAOs are non-polar and hydrophobic, making them ideal for metal interactions where moisture exclusion is critical. Their shear stability at high rotational speeds (10,000–30,000+ RPM) also makes them uniquely suitable for miniature motor and fan assemblies.
Viscosity Index Improver (VII): Stability Across Temperature
To address the wide operating temperature envelope of electronics environments — ranging from ambient cold starts (~5 °C) to sustained internal temps over 70–90 °C — Unicorn Blood incorporates a shear-stable polymeric VII.
This additive:
Increases the Viscosity Index (VI) to 180+, ensuring the oil maintains body under heat
Prevents thinning at high temps, avoiding metal-to-metal contact
Minimizes startup drag at low temps, unlike greases or thick mineral oilsOur VII is specifically chosen for non-entangling behavior, meaning it does not shear into lower molecular weight chains under stress, preserving long-term viscosity consistency even in high-RPM environments over thousands of hours.
Wetting & Soak Behavior in Sintered Bronze Bearings
Sintered bronze bearings are self-lubricating by design, composed of ~10–30% porosity, filled during manufacturing with oil. Over time, this reservoir dries out due to evaporation, heat cycling, and capillary wicking failure.
Unicorn Blood was engineered to replenish and re-saturate sintered structures, aided by:
Ultra-low surface tension for deep penetration
Capillary affinity tuning for bronze matrices
Non-gumming formulation that resists varnish formationThis is critical, as many over-the-counter oils (even synthetic ones) lack the required wetting behavior and instead bead on the surface or evaporate before full migration occurs.
Additive Package Overview
Component Function
PAO Base Oil Thermal/oxidative stability
Polymeric VII Viscosity stability across temperature
Anti-oxidant Ester Oxidation inhibition (long-term storage)
Friction Modifier Reduces dynamic metal contact
Surface Tension Modifier Enhances wicking and capillary action
All additives are non-conductive, non-corrosive, and fully compatible with copper alloys, plastics (including POM, nylon, and ABS), and elastomers found in fan enclosures.
Long-Term Test Results
In lab and field conditions, Unicorn Blood has undergone:
>50,000 hours of runtime (equivalent to 5.7 years continuous use) with <1% increase in noise or friction
No thermal decomposition at 100 °C continuous exposure for 1,000 hours (ASTM D5481)
Zero sludge formation under sealed and semi-sealed fan housings
No significant volatility loss (<0.8% weight loss at 150 °C for 24h)These figures outperform traditional white mineral oils, basic synthetics, and greases by orders of magnitude, particularly in small electric motor environments.
Application Guidelines
Application Mode Recommended Dose Notes
Drop-in fan lube 1–2 drops/fan Allow 12–24h soak time
Bearing refill (pre-cleaned) Full saturation Spin by hand to distribute
Rejuvenation of dry fans 2–3 drops with rest time May restore seized fans
Unicorn Blood is sold in 30 mL needle-tip applicator bottles for precise delivery, with no cleanup or overspill.
Summary
Unicorn Blood™ is not just another oil. It’s a purpose-built, tribology-engineered lubricant designed to revive, maintain, and extend the life of sintered bronze bearings in PC fans and micro-motors. Whether you’re a hobbyist refurbishing vintage tech or a systems integrator managing thermal-critical builds, Unicorn Blood delivers molecular-level lubrication science to your desktop.
Now available at Big Bang PCs.
Proven. Tested. Engineered to outlast the fan it services.