Overview
Polyalphaolefins (PAO) are the premium synthetic hydrocarbon base oil of choice for high-performance lubricant formulations. They are produced by the oligomerization of 1-decene (a linear alpha-olefin, C10 LAO) using an acidic catalyst, followed by hydrogenation to give a fully saturated, isoparaffinic hydrocarbon structure. This controlled synthesis produces a narrow, well-defined molecular weight distribution, delivering consistent, predictable performance that mineral base oils cannot match.
Two manufacturing technologies are available: conventional PAO (BF3-catalyzed, covering PAO 2 through PAO 100) and metallocene PAO (mPAO), produced using single-site metallocene catalysts that yield higher viscosity grades with significantly better viscosity index, improved low-temperature properties, and greater thickening efficiency compared to conventional high-viscosity PAO grades.
Key Performance Advantages over Mineral Oil
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Film Thickness | PAO synthetic lubricants provide greater film thickness at high temperatures than mineral oil equivalents, resulting in superior equipment protection at elevated operating temperatures. |
| Low Temperature Fluidity | Inherently lower pour points and low-temperature viscosities enable full lubrication to be established more rapidly at cold start, critical given that a high proportion of component wear occurs during cold equipment start-up. |
| Shear Stability | PAO formulations are highly shear stable, maintaining viscosity and wear protection under demanding conditions without dependence on polymeric VI improvers that are susceptible to chain scission and viscosity loss. |
| Oxidative Stability | Generally superior oxidation resistance compared to Group I, II, or III mineral oils, yielding lower in-service viscosity increase, reduced deposit and varnish formation, and 5–10× longer service life than mineral oil-based fluids. |
| High Temperature Stability | Less prone to sludge and deposit formation under oxidising conditions than mineral oils, preventing oil flow restriction, improving heat removal in rotating equipment, and reducing equipment failures and maintenance frequency. |
| High Viscosity Index | PAO exhibits relatively constant viscosity with temperature change. Inherently high VI reduces the requirement for shear-prone polymeric viscosity modifiers in finished lubricant formulations. |
| Low Friction | Superior to mineral oils in friction reduction due to a combination of film thickness, VI, and stability benefits. Studies document significant energy consumption reductions in transportation and industrial rotating equipment applications. |
| Biodegradability | Low-viscosity PAO fluids (especially 2–4 cSt) are inherently biodegradable, non-toxic, and non-irritating, advantageous in environmentally sensitive applications such as drilling fluids and hydraulic systems for earth-moving equipment. |
Low Viscosity PAO
A broad range of low-viscosity PAO grades is available, covering 1.7 to 10 cSt @100°C. The range includes standard grades as well as variants with enhanced cold-temperature performance (LP grades, pour points down to −78°C) and biodegradable-qualified grades. All grades are fully synthesized, distilled, and hydrogenated hydrocarbon base fluids with excellent solvency and compatibility with existing PAO and mineral base oils.
| Product | Kinematic Viscosity | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| DLV-133 | 3.4 cSt @100°C 13.2 cSt @40°C | Electric vehicle axle & transmission fluid; ICE vehicle motor oil; Immersion cooling thermal fluid; Re-refined oil performance improver |
| DLV-136 | 3.6 cSt @100°C 14.6 cSt @40°C Pour point −78°C | Automotive engine oil formulations; Hydraulic oil; High-performance industrial lubricants |
| DLV-143s | 3.0 cSt @100°C 11.7 cSt @40°C | Ultra-low viscosity automotive engine oil; Electric vehicle lubricant & thermal fluid; Industrial lubricants; Data center thermal fluid |
| DLV-145 | 5.2 cSt @100°C 24.9 cSt @40°C | Automotive engine oil & transmission fluid; Industrial gear oil; Compressor & turbine oils |
| DLV-146 | 5.9 cSt @100°C 30 cSt @40°C | Automotive engine oil & transmission fluid; Industrial gear oil; Compressor & turbine oils |
| DLV-147 | 7.1 cSt @100°C 39.4 cSt @40°C | Automotive engine oil & transmission fluid; Industrial gear oil; Hydraulic oil |
| DLV-148 | 7.8 cSt @100°C 44.2 cSt @40°C | Automotive engine oil & transmission fluid; Industrial gear oil; Hydraulic oil |
| DLV-156 | 6.1 cSt @100°C 32 cSt @40°C | Automotive engine oil & transmission fluid; Biodegradable lubricant formulation; Marine hydraulic oil |
| DLV-162 | 1.7 cSt @100°C 5.1 cSt @40°C | Automotive engine oil & transmission fluid; Industrial gear oil; Hydraulic oil; Thermal transfer fluid |
| DLV-164 | 3.9 cSt @100°C 17.5 cSt @40°C | Automotive engine oil & transmission fluid; Industrial gear oil; Hydraulic oil |
| DLV-166 | 5.8 cSt @100°C 30.7 cSt @40°C Pour point −63°C | Automotive engine oil & transmission fluid; Industrial gear oil; Hydraulic oil |
| DLV-168 | 7.8 cSt @100°C 46.4 cSt @40°C Pour point −58°C | Automotive engine oil & transmission fluid; Industrial gear oil; Hydraulic oil |
| DLV-170 | 9.8 cSt @100°C 65.1 cSt @40°C | Automotive engine oil & transmission fluid; Industrial gear oil; Hydraulic oil |
Typical properties per ASTM D445 (KV).
High Viscosity mPAO
Metallocene PAO (mPAO) is produced using single-site metallocene catalyst technology, which delivers tighter molecular control and a more uniform structure than conventional BF3-catalyzed PAO. The result is significantly higher viscosity index (up to 225), lower pour points at equivalent viscosity, and superior thickening efficiency, enabling formulators to reach target viscosity grades with less base oil. mPAO grades are the preferred base stock for demanding high-viscosity applications, where the combination of high VI, low pour point, and excellent oxidative stability offers clear advantages over conventional PAO and mineral-oil equivalents.
| Product | Kinematic Viscosity | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| DHV-174i | 50 cSt @100°C 412 cSt @40°C VI 184 · Pour −47°C | Wind turbine gear oil; Heavy duty industrial lubricants; Viscosity thickener |
| DHV-176 | 69 cSt @100°C 597 cSt @40°C VI 194 · Pour −42°C | Wind turbine gear oil; Heavy duty industrial lubricants; Viscosity thickener |
| DHV-180r | 98 cSt @100°C 928 cSt @40°C VI 198 · Pour −40°C | Wind turbine gear oil; Heavy duty industrial lubricants; Viscosity thickener |
| DHV-180i | 134 cSt @100°C 1,261 cSt @40°C VI 215 · Pour −37°C | Wind turbine gear oil; Heavy duty industrial lubricants; Viscosity thickener |
| DHV-185 | 170 cSt @100°C 1,627 cSt @40°C VI 225 · Pour −39°C | Wind turbine gear oil; Heavy duty industrial lubricants; Viscosity thickener |
Typical properties per ASTM D445 (KV), ASTM D2270 (VI), ASTM D97 (Pour Point). mPAO grades provide superior thickening efficiency compared to conventional PAO at equivalent viscosity.