Viscosity Index Improvers and Thickeners

Abstract

The viscosity index of an oil or an oil formulation is an important physical parameter. Viscosity index improvers, VIIs, are comprised of five main classes of polymers: polymethylmethacrylates (PMAs), olefin copolymers (OCPs), hydrogenated poly(styrene-co-butadiene or isoprene) (HSD/SIP/HRIs), esterified polystyrene-co-maleic anhydride (SPEs) and a combination of PMA/OCP systems. The chemistry, manufacture, dispersancy and utility of each class are described. The comparative functions, properties, thickening ability, dispersancy and degradation of VIIs are discussed. Permanent and temporary shear thinning of VII-thickened formulations are described and compared. The end-use performance and choice of VI improvers is discussed in terms of low-and high-temperature viscosities, journal bearing oil film thickness, fuel economy, oil consumption, high-temperature pumping efficiency and deposit control. Discussion of future developments concludes that VI improvers will evolve to meet new challenges of increased thermaloxidative degradation from increased engine operating temperatures, different base stocks of either synthetic base oils or vegetable oil-based, together with alcohol-or vegetable oil-based fuels. VI improvers must also evolve to deal with higher levels of fuel dilution and new types of sludge and also enhanced low-temperature requirements. IntroductionThe 'viscosity index', VI, was an important measure of quality early in the history of the lubricants industry, indicating an oil's potential applications over a wide range of temperatures, described in Section 1.3.2. Pennsylvania grade oils,~100 VI, were the standard against which all others were measured. Hydrogenation and solvent extraction processes were developed to upgrade lubricants from poorer quality crude oils, but the practical VI ceiling for 1930s refinery technology was~110-115.Early workers found that small amounts of rubber dissolved into mineral oil substantially raised VI; however, high levels of unsaturation in the polymer led to oxidation and sludge formation. This was overcome by using a synthetic polymer prepared from gasoline light ends [1], and similar behaviour was later described for 153 R.M. Mortier et al. (eds.), Chemistry and Technology of Lubricants, 3rd edn.,

Shear Thinning and Hydrodynamic Friction of Viscosity Modifier-Containing Oils. Part II: Impact of Shear Thinning on Journal Bearing Friction

“…Viscosity index improver polymers or viscosity modifiers (VMs) have been used as engine oil additives since the mid1930s and in recent years their application has extended to gear oils, automatic transmission fluids, greases and some hydraulic fluids [2]. Their primary role is to enhance the lubricant viscosity index of their blends [3][4][5].…”

“…As discussed in [1], oil #10 did not show satisfactory time-temperature superposition collapse using the shift factor expression in Eq. (2). This can be addressed by allowing a T for this oil to vary with temperature empirically, based on experimental measurements at different temperatures, rather than on Eq.…”