Polyalphaolefin is a synthetic lubricant that is used for many applications. These lubricants are synthetic-based oils that are beneficial for both industries automotive and industrial. The hydrocarbon and mineral oils are used to produce polyalphaolefin.
Characteristics of polyalphaolefin:
There are various characteristics of polyalphaolefin that we are going to discuss below.
- It does not contain any ring structure
- It has sulfur, nitrogen, and waxy hydrocarbons components that make it durable.
- It has extraordinary compatibility and stability with mineral oils.
- It is also effective for seals, paints.
- Polyalphaolefin has a controlled structure
- They do not contain lighter hydrocarbons
- Polyalphaolefin lubricants are used as automotive fluids for bearing and gear oils.
- These lubricants don’t work effectively in high temperature
These are the great features of polyalphaolefin lubricants, but nothing is perfect in this world. There are some disadvantages of these lubricants. It includes
- They have poor resistance against fire.
- They also have biodegradability
- They tend to shrink seals
- You may face trouble dissolving common oil addictives
Strengths of polyalphaolefin lubricants
Polyalphaolefin lubricants have excellent strength that can benefit your automotive and industrial types of machinery in many ways. These lubricants have
- They have high thermal oxidative stability
- They have good flow properties at a lower temperature
- They have a high viscosity index
- They are non-toxic
- They have compatibility with mineral oils
Weaknesses of polyalphaolefin
While there are numerous benefits of polyalphaolefin lubricants, but there are also some weaknesses.
- There is seal shrinkage risks
- They have limited addictive solubility
- They have limited biodegradability
Famous applications of polyalphaolefin lubricants:
- Bearing oil
- Engine oil
- High-temperature grease
- Compressor oil
- Gear oil
- Lube-for-life applications
Facts about polyalphaolefin
- This lubricant is introduced in 1930, and the first commercial engine oil was produced in 1970
- Ethylene gas was used to produce polyalphaolefin lubricant. Natural gas and crude oil also useful in producing this lubricant.
- Polyalphaolefin has higher temperature resistance as compared to mineral oil
- There is no wax content. That’s why these lubricants work incredibly at in lowest temperature.
- Polyalphaolefin has higher at least 130 to 140 VI as compared to mineral oil
- They have natural lubricity than mineral oil
- They are less volatile unlike mineral oil
- They are less flammable
- They have a high flash point
- They are better compatible with mineral oil
- They are much expensive than mineral oils but cost-effective than other synthetic oils
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