Copolymeric Polyester: Green Alternative to Chlorinated Paraffin in Cutting Fluids

The rapid development of metal working and manufacturing and the implementation of the chloride-free, which has put a higher demand for the metal working fluids' performance, and the chloride-free type cutting fluid is also becoming a urgent.

 

Polymeric ester formed by the copolymerization of α-olefins and unsaturated dicarboxylic acid esters (referred to as copolymer type polymeric esters) have become an effective alternative to chlorinated paraffins in metal cutting fluids, owing to their unique brush like molecular structure and excellent pressure lubricating properties.

 

Mechanism of Copolymeric Polyesters as Substitutes for Chlorinated Paraffins

Copolymeric polyester molecules feature a linear backbone structure with polar ester groups and long alkyl chains evenly distributed along both sides. The polar ester groups anchor to the metal surface; as multiple molecules arrange themselves in an orderly fashion, they form a neat, dense, "brush-like" adsorption film. This film effectively separates the surfaces of the friction pair, thereby providing boundary lubrication.

 

Chlorinated paraffins function under extreme pressure by undergoing high-temperature chemical reactions to form a ferric chloride film. Although copolymeric polyesters do not undergo chemical reactions, their high-molecular-weight backbones provide thermal stability (with a thermal decomposition temperature exceeding 400°C), ensuring the adsorption film remains effective at high temperatures.

This ability to maintain performance across a temperature range that encompasses the operational scope of chlorinated paraffins is the key factor enabling their use as an equivalent substitute.

 

It's the dual mechanism of the polymeric ester that allows the working effective temperature range of copolymeric polyesters to substantially cover the temperature range of chlorinated paraffin. It's a key factor that making polymeric ester enable to the chlorinated paraffin equivalent.

 

The advantages of polymeric esters used in cutting fluids.

Compatible with sulfur-phosphorus additives: When polymeric esters are combined with sulfur-and phosphorus-based extreme-pressure (EP) additives, the adsorption films and chemically reactive films form a complementary boundary lubrication layer. This significantly improve extreme-pressure load-carrying capacity, reduce the sulfur-phosphorus additives dosage and lower formulation costs and toxicity.

 

High stability and extended service life: Polymeric esters has excellent thermal-oxidative stability and shear resistance. Polymeric ester is not easily to degrade under high-temperature and high-load conditions, and the oil film durability is higher than that of traditional low-molecular-weight esters. This helps to extend tool life and prolong the change interval of the cutting fluid.

 

Environmentally friendly: These polymeric esters are free of chlorine; they do not generate hydrogen chloride or dioxins during machining or waste fluid treatment, effectively reduce the environmental and health risks associated with chlorinated paraffins.

The disadvantages of chlorinated paraffins used in cutting oils.

Owing the raw chlorinated paraffins is easy to obtain and low cost, it's widely used in metal working fluid and vehicle gears oil as a traditional chlorinated-content EP anti-wear additive. Through the chemical reaction between Chlorinated-content additive, forming a protective film to improve anti-wear and extreme pressure properties.

 

However, owing to the chlorinated paraffins is easily to produce harmful substance after degradation, which is also harmful to human health, environment, and aquatic organisms. The usage of chlorinated paraffins has been restricted strictly.

 

Comparison of different types of lubricant additives

It can be seen that the reason why copolymeric polyesters can replace chlorinated paraffins in cutting fluid is due to the unique molecular structure and adsorption to film mechanism.

 

Chorus is a professional lubricant additive supplier in China. We can provide you with different synthetic base oils, including copolymeric ester.

Polymeric ester is a copolymer of α-olefin and unsaturated dibasic acid ester. It serves as a synthetic base oil and a wear-reducing additive, widely used in high-performance formulations for industrial lubricants, automotive lubricants, and metalworking fluids.

Used in cutting fluid areas, polymeric ester can replace the chlorinated paraffins and has a good compatibility with sulfur-phosphorus extreme pressure additive that can provide excellent loading capacity and extreme pressure performance.

Chorus's polymeric ester also has excellent thermal stability, low evaporation loss, which can satisfy the heavy loading working conditions in cutting fluids.

 

We can also provide you with different synthetic base oil, such as trimethylolpropane trioleate (TMPTO) ester and offer you suitable products depending on your requirements.

Contact us for more detailed information and the best price.