VISCOPLEX® Pour Point
Depressant technologies
High-performance solutions for
low-temperature challenges
Solving low-temperature challenges for over 70 years
Evonik's Oil Additives business line is the leading developer of
high-performance lubricant additives and synthetic base fluids
marketed under the brand names VISCOPLEX® and VISCOBASE®
for use in automotive and industrial lubricants. Based on polyalkylmethacrylate (PAMA) chemistry, a comprehensive line of Pour
Point Depressant (PPD) products delivers robust low-temperature
performance that adapts to a variety of base oils, performance
packages and viscosity modifiers. With over 70 years of PPD
expertise, the Oil Additives specialists at Evonik partner with
formulators to develop custom PPD solutions for the toughest lowtemperature challenges while providing dedicated technical support.
The advantages of VISCOPLEX® PPDs:
• Bringing customer-specific solutions
through custom-designed PPDs
• Reliable, proven performance above
industry standards
• Global technical support and supply security
• Help in achieving optimum performance
for your product and application
Paraffin crystal formation and relationship to cold flow
Temperature
Nucleation
Crystal growth
Continuing innovation
with VISCOPLEX® PPDs
It’s a well-known fact that most oils contain small amounts of
waxy material. Less common is the know-how to select the ideal
PPD solution to achieve optimal performance, meet used-oil
pumpability requirements, and ensure compatibility with other
components of the formulation. Evonik's Oil Additives Team
has achieved this level of expertise through over 70 years of
research, product development, close collaboration with leading
industry formulators, and application testing of innovative
polymer architectures.
Evonik's VISCOPLEX® PPDs are based on the versatility of
polyalkylmethacrylate (PAMA) chemistry,
whose general structure is as follows:
CH­­3
- (-CH2 - C -)x
CO2R
Group R is a mixture of alkyl groups from C1 to C22.
The Oil Additives specialists at Evonik carefully engineer the
waxy alkyl groups in R and the chain-length distribution to match
wax molecules in the oil, helping to achieve the best pour point
depressant activity.
How VISCOPLEX® PPDs modify wax crystals at low temperatures
Agglomeration/gelation
Without VISCOPLEX® PPD
Improved cold flow
Significant temperature
reduction
Without PPD
Crystallization of wax molecules
below cloud point temperature
Mainly lateral growth forms
needles or plates
Wax crystal structure
continues to grow
Large, structured 3D crystal
network formation, crystal size >
100µm, oil ceases to flow
VISCOPLEX® PPD modifies
wax crystal growth
Interlocking of wax crystals is
prevented, leading to smaller and
more random structure
No aggregation of gel-like wax
network, oil continues to flow
without yield stress
With VISCOPLEX® PPD
With VISCOPLEX® PPD
Crystal size
n-paraffins without
VISCOPLEX® PPD
VISCOPLEX® PPD
Co-crystallization occurs between
wax molecules and VISCOPLEX®
PPD crystalline units
Crystalline unit
formed by n-paraffins
2
Crystalline unit
formed by VISCOPLEX® PPD
VISCOPLEX®
Polymer backbone
3
Base stock alone does not determine
which PPD is right for you
There are many factors that affect the proper selection of the right PPD for
a formulation. The Oil Additives specialists at Evonik can help identify key
factors, evaluate options and fine-tune Pour Point Depressant choice to best
meet formulators’ needs.
Factors that affect PPD selection and treat rate:
•Base stock
•Other waxy components
• Detergents and friction modifiers
• Viscosity modifiers
•Test methods required by different specifications
•Low-temperature performance reversion
•Aged-oil pumpability requirements
PPD 1 @ 0.1wt%
<140
Mini-Rotary Viscometer (MRV TP-1) Yield Stress and
Scanning Brookfield Technique (SBT) Gelation Index
<105
<70
fail
<35
pass
150N Oil
PPD 2 @ 0.1wt%
VISCOPLEX® PPD solutions to
meet the most severe lowtemperature test requirements
SAE 10W-40
A significant challenge when selecting a PPD is the sometimes
conflicting requirements among low-temperature tests, which
have differences in cooling rates, shear rates, and conditioning
times. The ideal PPD would provide the appropriate level of wax
control to meet all required specifications, such as MRV TP-1
and SBT. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully consider all of the
cold-temperature requirements of a lubricant, as a passing result
in one test does not guarantee success in other tests.
VISCOPLEX® PPD
solutions for modern
lubricant specifications
Due to oxidation, aged-oil low-temperature
rheology is an important specification in
ILSAC GF-5. The ASTM D7528 ROBO
bench test is an effective alternative to
the costly Sequence IIIGA engine test.
Developed by Evonik's Oil Additives Team,
the ROBO test provides significant cost
and time savings. Evonik offers ROBO
technology to help customers screen
PPDs and develop formulations meeting
the GF-5 used oil specifications and the
future GF-6 specifications.
Not all PPDs that work in
fresh oils work in aged oils
Different PPD low-temperature performance in fresh 5W oil
(at -35°C) versus aged oil (at -30°C)
PPD-1
PPD-2
PPD-3
800
700
MRV TP-1 Viscosity, P
ASTM D4684 - Yield Stress, Pa
VISCOPLEX® PPD performance in
base stock and fully formulated oil
fail
600
pass
500
400
300
200
100
Fresh
4
Used oil oxidized by ROBO
5
VISCOPLEX® PPD technology keeps pace with
today’s Group III and Group III+ base stocks
Today’s array of different refining technologies and global sourcing of
crude oils results in a wide range of molecular structures within the wax
present in oils. In addition, Group III and Group III+ base stocks, which
are quite different from traditional base stocks, are highly saturated with
long-chain hydrocarbons, necessitating new PPD technologies like those
incorporated in VISCOPLEX® PPDs.
Performance of VISCOPLEX® PPDs in Group III (4 cSt) base stock
@ 0.0wt.%
The ROBO test is an alternative to the Sequence IIIGA. TMC-certified ROBO units are utilized in both the Evonik Oil Additives Americas and Asia Pacific technology centers.
-30/-30/-30
-53/-52 /-57
@ 0.4wt.%
-51/-56/-59
@ 0.6wt.%
-53/-57/-60
-30
-35
-40
-45
-50
-55
VISCOPLEX® PPDs
– a vital part of any
formulation
VISCOPLEX® PPD solutions for commercial viscosity modifiers
Regulations and industry standards are
evolving rapidly. In such an environment
of constant change, the value of a
PPD comes from its ability to not only
exceed these standards but also perform
equally well with nearly any additive, DI
package, viscosity modifier, or base stock.
Formulators gain added product flexibility
and the peace of mind that comes from
knowing that, unlike some lubricant
components, VISCOPLEX® PPDs will
continue to reliably provide excellent lowtemperature performance enhancement.
VII chemistry
HE-OCP,
50 SSI
HE-OCP,
35 SSI
LE-OCP,
50 SSI
StyreneIsoprene,
50 SSI
VISCOPLEX® PPD
A
A
B
B
PPD treat rate, %
0.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
Viscosity, cP
17,600
17,500
22,900
20,700
Yield Stress, Pa
<35
<35
<35
<35
6
Pour Point, ºC (ASTM D97)
-25
@ 0.2wt.%
SAE viscosity grade
SAE 5W-30, meeting SAE J300 and ILSAC GF-5
low-temperature requirement
-60
VISCOPLEX 1-254
VISCOPLEX 1-304
VISCOPLEX 1-180
MRV TP-1 @ -35ºC,
ASTM D4684
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Committed to
ongoing support
As industry trends and specifications
shift, formulators may need to modify
formulations to continue providing
state-of-the-art fluids. With its broad PPD
portfolio, Evonik's ability to custom-tailor
one PPD to satisfy multiple formulations
simplifies logistics for its customers.
Evonik's Oil Additives Team is committed
to providing ongoing support – not just
during your initial PPD selection, but also
throughout fluid formulation, production
and future development.
VISCOPLEX® versatility – one PPD for multiple formulations
Applications
5W-30
75W-140
ISO 46
THF
PPD treat rate, %
0.6
0.5
0.2
0.2
0.2
ASTM D97, Pour Point, °C
-36
-39
-42
-45
-45
ASTM D2983,
Brookfield viscosity @ -40°C, cP
N/A
143,000(3)
42,000
12,800(1)
9,400(2)
ASTM D4684,
MRV TP-1 @ -35°C
­­
Viscosity, cP
17,300
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Yield stress, Pa
<35
(1)
ATF
(2)
VISCOPLEX®
1-135 food grade
PPD is kosher
approved and halal
certified.
(1) Tractor hydraulic fluid: meeting John Deere J20D maximum
viscosity specification of 20,000 cP at -40°C
(2) Automatic transmission fluid: meeting DEXRON VI maximum
viscosity specification of 15,000 cP at -40°C
VISCOPLEX® series
Robust PPDs for conventional formulations
Tailored wax-interaction strength for maximum
performance in modern lube formulations
General purpose with VI lift
For biodegradable lubricants
1-1 series
1-2 series
1-3 series
1-4 series
1-6 series
1-7 series
1-8 series
10 series
VISCOPLEX® 1-135 is specially designed for use in
Group III and white oil-based lubricants with incidental
food contact. VISCOPLEX® 1-135, which is NSF HX-1
approved, in combination with white oils can be a
cost-effective alternative to synthetic base stocks when
formulating high-performance food-grade lubricants
used at very low temperatures.
0
-5
Up to 33°C Pour Point reduction
Guide to VISCOPLEX® PPD series selection
Commercial white oil/KV40°C = 23cSt, PP = -12°C
-10
-15
-20
Temp / °C
New VISCOPLEX® PPD
technology for
food-grade applications
(3) Meeting J306 specification of 150,000 cP at -40°C
-25
-30
-35
-40
-45
-50
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
Treat rate / wt.% VISCOPLEX® 1-135
VISCOPLEX® PPD for
environmentally friendly
lubricants
Demand for environmentally friendly lubricants is
growing, and Evonik's PPDs help to address the
unique low temperature challenges of these specialty
fluids. VISCOPLEX® series 10 PPDs are manufactured
and delivered in biodegradable diluent oils and
maintain the environmental characteristics of the
finished lubricants. VISCOPLEX® series 10 PPDs are
designed to improve cold flow properties in vegetable
oils, polyglycols and synthetic esters, and to stabilize
oil fluidity during extended storage.
8
9
Germany
Canada
France
United States
Japan
China
Singapore
Headquarters
Regional offices
Technology centers
Manufacturing facilities
Sales offices & representatives
Evonik's Oil Additives Team – a partner
providing the leading PPD technologies
A history of innovative PPD solutions
Evonik offers its partners over 70 years of experience developing base stocks and
additive technologies that exceed market and industry specifications.
Evonik's Oil Additives Team:
•
Developed the first modern PPD
formulation based on API Group II
stocks when the first API Group II oil
was released
•
Created the first PPD to meet test
requirements after the introduction of
the MRV TP-1 test method
•
Helped solve low-temperature
challenges when high-ethylene
OCP VM entered the market
•
Invented the innovative ROBO bench
test and reduced the time and cost of
identifying PPD solutions for agedoil low-temperature performance
requirements
Prepared for the future, the
Oil Additives specialists at Evonik
actively develop new PPDs for highly
hydrogenated base stocks and other
new requirements in the years ahead.
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Experts wherever you need them
As a part of Evonik Industries, the global market leader in specialty chemicals, Evonik's
Oil Additives Team draws upon a robust and secure supply chain. The global scale of
Evonik's oil additives operations helps ensure uninterrupted supply, rapid and localized
production and efficient delivery.
Contact Evonik's Oil Additives
specialists today for low-temperature
formulation and testing guidance.
To request a copy of the Evonik's
VISCOPLEX® PPD treatise, scan the QR
code, or visit evonik.com/oil-additives.
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This information and all further technical advice is
based on our present knowledge and experience.
However, it implies no liability or other legal
responsibility on our part, including with regard
to existing third party intellectual property rights,
especially patent rights. In particular, no warranty,
whether express or implied, or guarantee of product
properties in the legal sense is intended or implied.
We reserve the right to make any changes according
to technological progress or further developments.
The customer is not released from the obligation to
conduct careful inspection and testing of incoming
goods. Performance of the product described
herein should be verified by testing, which should
be carried out only by qualified experts in the
sole responsibility of the customer. Reference to
trade names used by other companies is neither
a recommendation, nor does it imply that similar
products could not be used.
VISCOPLEX®, VISCOBASE®, DRIVON™, DYNAVIS®
and NUFLUX™ are trademarks of Evonik Industries
AG or one of its subsidiaries. ©06/2015 Evonik
Industries AG - v13
Europe, Africa, Mideast
Evonik Resource Efficiency GmbH
Kirschenallee
64293 Darmstadt
Germany
Americas
Evonik Oil Additives USA, Inc.
723 Electronic Drive
Horsham, PA 19044-4050
USA
phone +49 6151 1809
fax +49 6151 18-4100
phone +1 215 706-5800
fax +1 215 706-5801
Toll-Free +1 888 876-4629
oil-additives@evonik.com
evonik.com/oil-additives
Asia Pacific
Evonik Oil Additives
Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.
3 International Business Park
07-18 Nordic European Centre
Singapore 609927
phone +65 6809-6571
fax +65 6809-6707