Application of Polyether PAG in the Lubricant Industry
October 23, 2023
polyether, also known as polyethylene glycol ether, is a linear polymer obtained by ring opening homopolymerization or copolymerization of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, epoxy butane, and other raw materials under the action of a catalyst. Due to its many excellent properties and easy availability of raw materials, polyether has a wide range of applications. Currently, it is mainly used in high-temperature lubricants, gear lubricants, brake fluids, metalworking fluids, compressor oil, refrigeration oil, vacuum pump oil, etc. Here are a few main applications: 01 High temperature lubricating oil Good viscosity temperature performance and non coking characteristics at high temperatures. Polyether can be used as a lubricating material for high-temperature gears, chains, and bearings in industries such as glass, plastics, textiles, printing and dyeing, ceramics, and metallurgy.
02 Gear oil
After adding some anti wear or extreme pressure additives to polyether, it is an ideal gear lubricant used in worm gear pairs, closed gears, and automotive reduction gears for medium power transmission. It can reduce gear wear and extend oil change and maintenance periods.
03 Metal Working Fluid Due to the water solubility, oil solubility, and reverse solubility of polyethers, they are mainly used as cutting and quenching fluids in metal processing. When used as a cutting fluid, it has good cooling and lubrication properties, no tendency to precipitate or bubble, good permeability, and is not corrosive to most metals, and is less affected by water quality and water hardness. Therefore, it is an excellent metal cutting fluid.
04 Lubricating grease Base Oil Polyether can be used as a lubricating grease base oil, mainly for the production of grease for brakes and clutches, grease for hydrocarbon resistant solvents, grease for fixing bolts and chain isothermal friction parts at high temperatures above 300 ℃, and grease for instrument and mechanical components. When used in automotive brakes and clutches, its main advantages include good compatibility and excellent oxygen resistance between the rubber components and brake fluid. 
05 Heat setting oil
The chain and guide rail of heat setting machines and stretching machines used in the printing, dyeing, and plastic industries are subject to sliding friction at high temperature and high speed. Lubricating oil is required to have good high-temperature oxidation stability, as well as low coking and good lubricity. Polyether can meet these application requirements.
06 Compressor oil Refrigeration oil and vacuum pump oil are suitable for use as oil for hydrogen, ethylene, and natural gas, as well as refrigeration oil and vacuum pump oil due to their excellent viscosity temperature performance, low-temperature flowability, oxidation stability, and lubricity, as well as their low solubility in hydrocarbon gases and hydrogen, as well as good compatibility with Freon gases.
