New Generation Vegetable Esters for Use in Metalworking Fluids (MWF)

Vegetable esters obtained through chemical reactions from natural oils and fatty acids are now being used in industrial applications and MWF oils. Particularly due to their ester structure, they are preferred because they have much better lubricity compared to conventional mineral oils, perform better in high-temperature environments, have low volatility, decompose at nearly 100 per cent in nature and are ecologically sound. Esters have much better viscosity indices compared to conventional oils (they do not lose viscosity significantly with temperature) and their oxidation stability and service life are also much higher than conventional oils. The lubricity of ester structures, EP and AW properties are much better when compared with mineral oils. Evaporation loss is also much lower than mineral oils. For this reason, esters reduce wear and tear and have a much longer service life than mineral oils. Today, esters with many different structures and properties are being produced. In addition to very low-viscosity esters, esters used in the production of non-flammable hydraulic oils such as TMP-TO are the most well-known, while esters are also preferred in industrial applications such as compressor and chain oils. Having a pour point below -50°C and high flash points at 350°C, ester structures are used in many different industrial applications and in all processes requiring lubrication.

Vegetable Esters and Solvents

Vegetable solvents and esters now being produced with new techniques in MWF and industrial applications have begun to be used in many different application areas. The main reason for this is that although the product has solvent properties, it is of plant origin, environmentally suitable and can reach high flash points. Furthermore, the product has no toxic or harmful structure as specified in MSDSs. Moreover, unlike conventional solvents, since the products cannot be used in fuel oil, they are not subject to licensing or special consumption tax.  

Estichem Vegetable-Based Solvent Esters

Estisol 300 is a vegetable-based solvent ester, while EstiClean AR-Plus is a special cleaner ester mixture capable of cleaning asphalt and all organic structures.

Sulphured and Polymeric Esters (AW and EP Additives)

Esters are obtained through chemical reactions of vegetable oils and acids or olefins. This chemical reaction takes place in state-of-the-art reactors with high-temperature, pressure and vacuum control. Sulphured extreme pressure EPOIL series additives are special additives produced by Hornett Bross & Co Ltd, formed through ester and sulphur complex reactions, where the ester portion provides metal wettability and lubricity properties, while the sulphur portion provides EP properties. Sulphur-containing EP additives undergo chemical reactions to create new compounds that will act as a barrier to reduce friction, stress and welding properties on metal surfaces at elevated temperatures due to friction under heavy loads.

Hornett Sulphured Esters (EP and AW Additives)

OCP (Olefin Co-Polymer) and Synthetic Styrene Polymer Technologies

OCP and styrene-based polymer oils are particularly used to increase viscosity and make them multi-grade (for motor oils such as 5W-30 and 15W40). Today, polymers with different chemical structures and properties are being used. OCP (Olefin Co-Polymer) and Styrene-Butadiene Rubber, PAMA (Polymethacrylate) are the most preferred polymer types. When these polymers are to be used in motor oils, attention is paid to the property known as SSI (Shear Stability Index). The SSI index is the degradation of the polymer structure and polymer loss after processing or operation. The lower it is, the more synthetic the polymer becomes and the less it degrades. Currently the most preferred in motor oils is OCP polymer with 20-22 SSI like Viscotech 6540 that is easily soluble and has low SSI value. In synthetic DPF motor oils, the most preferred is Viscotech 494-L Stern Polymer with 0-5 SSI value.

PPD (polymethacrylate) and PAMA (polymethacrylate)

PPDs, known by their most common name, are synthetic polymers used to prevent oil freezing and lower pour points. PM (polymethacrylate) polymer structures exhibit elastic properties, delaying complete oil freezing at low temperatures and bringing its fluidity to ideal levels. PAMA products, on the other hand, are high molecular weight polymers while also showing PPD properties due to their special polymeric structure (polymethacrylate). They are most commonly used to increase viscosity index. While they increase oil viscosity, they also increase viscosity index. (That is, they prevent changes and decrease in oil viscosity with temperature). Kusapour 300 (PPD) and Kusacryl 840 (PAMA) are polymers specially produced by Additive Chemie Luers and, although used very little (0.1-0.3 per cent), they lower the pour point of oil and increase VI.   Ümit Özvardar Sales Manager Troychem DMCC