Formulation flexibility The trend toward lower-viscosity grades has improved energy efficiency for the automotive industry, and it has also created some challenges for formulators. PAO base oils have been challenging for formulators due to limited additive solubility. As the viscosity grade lowers, a “formulation squeeze” is created, offering less opportunity for performance additives.
Thanks to its unique chemical structure, the improved LVLV PAO base stocks provide formulators with the opportunity for more formulation flexibility than existing low-viscosity base stocks. Specifically, formulations containing new LVLV PAO base stocks do not require the addition of high-volatility fluids. This allows formulators to include various additives—such as viscosity modifiers for improved fuel economy, detergents or dispersants for cleaner engines, and sulfur and phosphorus for better wear protection— without compromising performance.
compared against a Group III+ mineral oil and a conventional PAO base stock. In another comparison based on a Toyota 0W-8 test, the new base stock showed enhanced fuel economy versus formulations using low-viscosity esters.
These examples illustrate the opportunity for formulators to leverage new LVLV PAO base stocks to improve fuel economy for car manufacturers.
Our studies have shown that a LVLV PAO base stock with lower viscosity and enhanced thermal properties can provide excellent heat transfer properties in automotive and other cooling applications like data centers. Lower viscosity can improve thermal efficiency as it improves heat transfer and reduces pumping resistance within the system.
In direct cooling, the heat transfer fluid is in direct contact with components like the e-motor’s windings, electronic, and battery components. This provides a unique advantage by creating a more uniform thermal management environment compared to indirect cooling where the heat transfer fluid, typically water-glycol, is in intermittent contact with system components creating a less uniformly cooled environment. Desirable electrical properties are essential to enabling direct cooling, and that’s where LVLV PAO base stocks provide an advantage compared to water-glycol.
Improved PAO base stocks deliver step out performance The improved LVLV PAO base stocks leverage unique PAO structures that provide the quality-enhancing properties described in the previous section. Those properties, ultimately, are designed to translate to enhanced performance in terms of fuel economy, energy efficiency, and durability.
LVLV PAOs provide excellent fuel economy performance
Fuel economy is measured under controlled conditions using a series of manufacturers tests. Based on tests that ExxonMobil has performed, lubricant formulations made with new LVLV PAO base stocks have continuously outperformed alternatives in fuel economy tests.
For example, using 0W-12 engine oil in Volkswagen fuel economy test PV1496, an improved LVLV PAO base stock demonstrated superior fuel economy
The battery is another component of the EV that may require advanced thermal management with different operating conditions (e.g., temperature) compared with e-motors and drive-units. Air, water-glycol, dielectric (e.g., hydrocarbon) fluids, phase-change material, and refrigerants are different options for battery thermal management. LVLV PAO base stocks can enable direct cooling that offers more uniform thermal management distribution in the system and can improve safety, thermal management, performance, and life of the battery in EVs.
Energy efficiency and thermal management for today and tomorrow’s EVs
For EVs, new LVLV PAO base stocks offer a single- fluid solution that lubricates, cools, and shows other benefits like enhanced oxidative stability and desirable electrical properties for today’s integrated e-modules.
Continued on page 18 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.168 APRIL 2022 17
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