Why Is The Synthetic Ester Chain Oil Beyond Mineral-Based Chain Oil?
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In industrial manufacture, steel chains are core transmission components in kilns, drying lines, heat treatment equipment, etc. These chains work in a harsh environment with high temperatures above 200°C for a long time, continuous or interval running. The chain oils should have good thermal oxidation, anti-deposition, and anti-wear properties.
Nowadays, mineral oils are gradually being replaced by synthetic high-temperature chain lubricants due to their poor high-temperature stability and high tendency to coking.
High-temperature chains' working conditions
Typical high-temperature chains' working conditions
Continuous high-temperature environments, e.g., glass kiln chain, long-term exposure to more than 300°C, these chain oils require lubricants with ultra-high temperature stability.
Periodic high-temperature, e.g., paint drying line: temperature between 150 and 250°C, requiring lubricants with strong resistance to thermal cycles.
Heavy load oven chains, e.g., heat treatment production line, these oven chains work at high temperature and heavy load, the oven chain lubricants should also have excellent extreme pressure and anti-wear properties.
Why did the chain oils fail?
Thermal oxidation degradation:
The chain oils crack at high temperatures, forming sludges and carbon deposits, blocking the chain pitch.
Insufficient adhesion:
the oven oils are lost seriously at higher temperatures, and the chain wears due to a shortage of lubricants.
Environmental concern:
The evaporation of mineral oil releases VOCs, failing to meet eco-friendly production standards.
Why synthetic high-temperature chain lubricants?
Chain lubricants formulated with synthetic oils provide advantages as:
- High temperature stability: synthetic oils are more stable at high temperatures, with thermal decomposition temperature over 300℃, no coking (such as synthetic ester oil).
- Low volatility: evaporation loss < 5% (ASTM D5800), reducing oil consumption.
- Anti-carbon deposition: through four-ball test and coking plate test, deposit < 0.1mg/cm².
- Environmental protection: The selected synthetic fluids are biodegradable, with a biodegradation rate of over 80%.
What are the main synthetic oils for high-temperature chain oils?
Synthetic ester base oils: e.g., polyol esters. These synthetic esters have high temperature resistance, but the prices are also high.
PAO (Poly Alpha Olefin): PAOs are suitable for a wide temperature range. Normally, an antioxidant additive is formulated to enhance the oxidation resistance.
Silicone-based oil: Excellent temperature resistance, but insufficient lubricity; they are mostly used in light load oven chains.
Formulas of synthetic high-temperature chain oil based on polyol ester.
Polyol ester is an excellent base oil for high-end chain oil. Here is a typical recommended formula.
Formula of Long-lasting high-temperature chain oil with performance: life of more than 2000 hours at 280℃, and carbon deposits are reduced by 60%.
- Base fluid: pentaerythritol ester ( 85%)
- Additives: - amine antioxidant: (3%)
- Extreme pressure additive: sulfide olefin (2%)
- Rust inhibitor: phosphate ester (1.5%)
Eco-friendly high-temperature chain oil formula
- Base oil: biodegradable polyol ester (80%)
- Additives: - Ashless antioxidant (2.5%)
- Rust inhibitor (2%)
- Rorate (1.5%)
How to select the base oils for high-temperature chain oils?
Chorus® offers a selection of synthetic base oils for high-temperature industrial oils, please contact our sales engineers for more.
For temperatures about 300°C:
Synthetic ester oils
Pentaerythritol Ester Polyolester (POE) Synthetic Lubricant Base Oil
For temperatures between 150 and 250°C
PAO + synthetic ester as base, balance the cost and performance.
For food/pharmaceutical industries: use silicone or ester oils certified by NSF H1.
