New insight into the benefits of synthetic esters in challenging lubricating applications

摘要

Synthetic esters have been used for over 60 years in various lubricating applications, but they have been limited to specific areas where cleanliness, resistance to temperature and added solvency are required. In this paper, general properties of esters, along with their traditional benefits in lubricating applications, are reviewed. In particular, some structure/property relationships are discussed and comparisons with traditional base fluids are provided. Specific applications are detailed, explaining why esters have been of interest: air compressor oils, aviation turbine oils, chain oils, 2 stroke and racing engine oils, ultra-low temperature hydraulics. However, recent legislations, new equipment manufacturers' specifications, the trends towards higher power density, energy efficiency, improved durability and growing concern over the environmental impact of lubrication, are clearly leading the way towards higher Performance and better sustainability. Such market drivers are generating new opportunities for synthetic esters and will unveil unexpected, sometimes unknown, added benefits. This paper will show that ester chemistry may be optimized to Upgrade Performance. Examples of novel uses of neopolyol and complex esters in highly demanding applications like European Ecolabel, and Vessel General Permit compliant hydraulic oils and greases, ultra-high temperature chain oils and greases, and future generation engine oils, will be discussed.