Viscosity improvement and index modifiers are essential building blocks for long-lasting lubricant, grease, and oil applications. With changes in machine operational temperatures throughout the manufacturing process, it is a crucial procedure to maintain the same level of shear protection from start to finish.
Lion Trilene® liquid elastomers are beneficial viscosity additives for lubricating grease and oil formulators that require a low molecular weight product, all while encompassing the traditional benefits of EPDM polymers. New global markets experiencing industrialization growth expect lubricant, grease, and oil formulations to provide long-lasting performance benefits to support their operations. These expectations range from reducing operational and maintenance expenses while maintaining consistent production outputs within industry applications like construction, metal mining, cement production, power generation, food processing, heavy-duty transportation, gas refining, and textiles. Lubricating greases and oils must be able to exist in extreme conditions while delivering long-lasting durability and performance.
Ethylene Propylene Diene terpolymer (EPDM) are stable, saturated hydrocarbons and in traditional rubber compounding and processing applications offer outstanding heat, ozone, weather, and electrical resistant properties. The unique polymer chemistry of highly saturated and linear/branched molecules creates a tight molecular weight distribution. As a viscosity improver added to a base oil formulation, Trilene® allows for consistent performance while being exposed to extreme temperature conditions.
Why Choose Trilene® For Your Lubricant, Grease and Oil Formulations?
Durability
The Trilene® portfolio of low molecular weight EPDM terpolymers provides excellent thickener properties in viscosity index improvement for lubricating gear oil and grease. Trilene® Liquid Polymers can help meet these challenges by providing a range of high viscosity lubricating greases as viscosity modifiers to blend high-performance products.
Performance
Trilene® Liquid Polymers can be blended with mineral oils to make semi-synthetic gear oils or in combination with low viscosity Polyalphaolefins (PAO) and various esters to make higher-performing full synthetics. Providing performance benefits like oxidative resistance, ozone resistance, thermal resistance, and chemical resistance to non-hydrocarbon fluids.
Viscosity Improvement
Compared to the Olefin copolymers (OCP) and Polymethacrylates (PMA) viscosity modifiers, the relatively low molecular weight of Trilene® allows for significant shear stresses. The overall shear stability behavior, both temporary and permanent, constructs a uniform oil film thickness that can help sustain fuel economy and wear protection.
Trilene® Liquid EPDM delivers superior viscosity, thermal, and shear stabilizing advantages. Because of their low molecular weight, the EPDM terpolymers are capable of providing thickener properties for viscosity index improvement benefits. Trilene® is also compatible with various synthetic, mineral formulations, and antioxidant additive packages. Lastly, Trilene® assists in reducing friction and creating stability to maintain consistency and high-quality performance.
Thickening Capabilities
Ability to be used as a base fluid or thickener additive.
High Viscosity Index
Effective thickener at low treat rates.
Shear Stability Performance
Superior shear stability performance in the KRL Test.
Heat Oxidation Stability
Resistance to thermal and oxidative degradation.
Weather Resistance
Zero VOC and extreme temperature flexibility.
Compatibility
Excellent binder for almost all additive packages.
Typical Trilene Starting Formulations
The chart below shows potential formulations for viscosity modification using Trilene® CP-80 in industrial gear oil applications.
*Formulations using Trilene® Liquid Polymers can have excellent low-temperature properties allowing their use over a wide range of temperature conditions.
*Based on the severity of the application, a choice of viscosity modifiers with different shear stability characteristics and potential cost/performance benefits are realized.
Liquid EPDM Polymers
Trilene® Liquid EPDM capabilities range from providing viscosity modifying benefits to excellent processing advantages for rubber compounding applications. As a versatile, low molecular weight EPDM Trilene® is an excellent choice as a viscosity modifier for your base lubricant, grease, and oil formulations. If you need a viscosity modifier for your grease and oil formulations, explore the Trilene® portfolio and request your sample today!