Esters
The use of synthetic esters in lubricants has been increasing during recent years. Their good lubricating properties, thermal and oxidative stability, solvency for additives coupled with biodegradability / low volatility / environmental profile has seen their use in many different application areas from engine oils to hydraulic oils and metalworking fluids.
BASF offers a wide range of synthetic esters manufactured from sustainable and petrochemical raw materials. These high-quality esters are promoted under the Synative® brand and offer the formulator a broad pallet of properties to work with. The range includes standard viscosity esters acting as the base fluids but also high-viscosity, shear stable esters that can be used to achieve the desired viscosity grade finished lubricant with superior performance (energy efficiency, long drain intervals, improved equipment protection etc).
SYNATIVE® Synthetic High Performance Esters
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Monoesters
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Methylesters
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Polyol/Complex Esters (high viscosity)
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Diesters
Applications
- Aviation MIL approved lubricants
- Marine lubricants
- Automotive lubricants (engine, transmission, gear and axle oils)
- Biolubricants
- Industrial lubricants, e.g. gear oils, compressor fluids, turbine oils, hydraulic fluids
- Metalworking fluids
- Food grade lubricants
- Greases
Standard Viscosity Esters
Monoesters
These esters are based on fatty acids derived from natural and sustainable oleochemicals. The products have good lubricating properties and exhibit hydrolytic stability. They are easy to emulsify. Applications include metalworking fluids and hydraulic oils.
Methylesters
These esters are based on fatty acids derived from natural and sustainable oleochemicals. The products have good lubricating, thermal and solvent properties. Applications include metalworking fluids and aluminum rolling oils.
Diesters
The products have excellent lubricating properties, good thermal / oxidative stability and a low-temperature behaviour. They are used as base oils but can also be used for their co-solvency property for additives and also to achieve desired seal performance in synthetic lubricants formulated with Gp III, GTL and PAO base stocks. Applications include automotive transmission and axle oils, hydraulic oils, metalworking fluids and greases.
High-Viscosity Esters
Polyol / Complex Esters
This ester range is based on fatty acids derived from natural and sustainable raw materials. Typically a mixture of raw materials is used to in the synthesis to make esters giving the desired performance. The products are designed to allow the formulator a range of viscosity options. Selected complex esters are of high viscosity (e.g. cSt 1200 @ 40C) and can replace high-viscosity PAO in lubricant formulations.
Synative® polyol / complex esters have excellent lubricating properties, good to excellent thermal / oxidative stability, hydrolytic stability, shear stability and low-temperature behaviour. The range includes both unsaturated esters and high-performance saturated esters.