IKV range of PAO are gaining rapid acceptance as high-performance lubricants.

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PAO Oils

PAO = Polyalphaolefin, Polymerized alpha olefin, Olefin Polymers, Olefin Oligomers (a synthetic hydrocarbon)

PAO are gaining rapid acceptance as high-performance lubricants and functional fluids because they exhibit certain inherent and highly desirable characteristics. These favorable properties include:

A wide operational temperature range
Good viscometrics (high viscosity index)
Thermal Stability
Oxidative Stability
Shear stability
Low corrosivity
Compatibility with mineral oils
Compatibility with various materials of construction
Low toxicity

PAO are used extensively as automotive lubricants (engine, gear, transmission, grease, hydraulic). PAO are also super premium oils for automotive applications operating in temperature extremes. PAO are a synthetic hydrocarbon that is compatible with mineral oils. In industrial applications, they may be combined with organic esters to be used in high temperature gear and bearing oils, as well as gas turbines. They are also used as a base fluid in some wide temperature range greases.

PAO Oils

The general manufacturing process used to form PAO is performed by combining a low molecular weight material, usually ethylene gas, into a specific olefin which is oligomerized into a lubricating oil material and then hydrogen stabilized. There are a variety of basic building block molecules used to form the finished lubricant, which are dependent on the range of requirements of the specific lubricant.

Seal compatibility is an important factor for any lubricant. Unlike mineral oils, PAO does not have a tendency to swell elastomeric materials.

Recent work has indicated that the proper choice of other performance additives may eliminate the need to employ esters. In a test of a PAO vs. a mineral oil for seal compatibility, four seal materials were studied: acrylate, silicone, nitrile and fluoroelastomer. The seals were evaluated at the end of the test for changes in tensile strength, elongation, volume (seal swell), and hardness. The PAO performance fell within the specification limits for all four elastomers. The mineral oil failed with silicone. Similar tests have been carried out with fully formulated part- and full-synthetic PAO oils. In all cases the fluids met the specifications.

Recent data shows that PAO-based fluids provide superior performance for the high-tech cars and trucks being built today. Today engines are smaller and more demanding and operate at higher RPM and under hood spaces is limited which causes increased operating temperatures. Both the thermal conductivity and heat capacity of PAO fluids are about 10% higher than values for comparable mineral oils. The net result is that PAO-lubricated equipment tends to run cooler.