BASF presents a new high viscosity ester base stock technology.Viscosity profiles of these new candidates are comparable to market-known high viscosity PAO types such as PAO 40 and PAO 100.Due to the more polar nature of the new ester base stocks additional benefits can be achieved in terms of friction reduction,energy efficiency or facilitated additive solubilisation against high viscosity PAOs.The superior performance of the new high viscosity ester base stock technology is demonstrated in direct comparison against high viscosity PAO counterparts in industrial gear applications.The basic advantages found herein in industrial gear applications are also of relevance for other lubricant applications such as automotive driveline oil or engine oil applications.As one exemplary area industrial gear applications play a dominant role in modern wind turbines.The latest generation of lubricants used in these turbine gear boxes are required to provide a greater performance in terms of wear protection,durability,foam resistance,shear stability,and oxidation resistance.Common formulations are based on a PAO base stock thickened with high molecular weight PAO polymers to achieve a viscosity of ISO 320 combined with additives to provide wear protection,foam resistance etc.A recent plant outage coupled with high demand for high molecular weight PAO polymers has led to the market becoming aware of potential availability issues.In response to this important challenge BASF has developed a new formulation strategy-based on the new high viscosity ester technology and upon a widely available low molecular weight PAO base stock employing a new concept in a thickening system that avoids the use of high molecular weight PAO polymers.The novel ester base stock can be manufactured at multiple locations and is based on sustainable raw materials that can be sourced from a wide supplier base.
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