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Case Study
The use of synthetic lubricants containing a proprietary polyalphaolefin (PAO) in the authors' company's plants has resulted in improved equipment reliability, energy efficiency, and reduced overall costs. The high viscosity index of the PAO allows synthetic lubricants containing it to be used in extremely hot or cold temperature environments while its high mechanical and thermal stability protects equipment in severe performance applications. The growing use of synthetic lubricants within the authors' company is one part ofa multipronged approach to drive plant maintenance costs down.
INTRODUCTION
Hydrogenated oligomers of 1-decene, commonly referred to as polyalphaolefins (PAOs), have many desirable properties which contribute to their use in high performance lubricants. For example, PAOs are thermally and hydrolytically stable, have high viscosity indices, low volatility, and low pour points.
The abundant supply of PAO was initially driven by military and, later, automotive industry demand. However, as PAOs became more widely available (and more economical) more industrial and automotive applications were developed with PAO-based synthetic lubricants specifically in mind. PAO-based synthetic lubricants are now the top-tier branded oil offerings of several national manufacturers of rotary-screw compressors (1). Heavyduty drivetrain component manufacturers such as Eaton and Dana (2), (3) offer extended warranty protection linked to the use of synthetic lubricants while several heavy-duty chassis manufacturers factory fill with synthetics. With few exceptions...