Within the industry of lubricants, performance rules everything. From modern cars to industrial machinery, the need for lubricants capable of consistent performance across a broad temperature range is higher than ever. Viscosity Index Improvers (VIIs) thereafter become rather important.
This blog covers all you need to know about viscosity index improvers—their operation, their purpose in lubricants, and why they are essential to preserving optimal equipment function under varied operating situations.
What are Viscosity Index Improvers?
Viscosity index improvers (VII), sometimes known as viscosity improvers or viscosity modifiers, are polymer additives that change the viscosity of fluid/lubricants across the complete usable temperature range. For clarity: By lowering the effect of fluctuating temperatures, viscosity index improvers stabilize the viscosity of lubricants rather than necessarily raising viscosity.
The sad reality for those in the business sector is that high temperatures can cause mineral oil-based lubricants to lose their performance. This is so because of the reduced viscosity of the lubricants and their lower capacity to create a lubricating layer. But here is precisely where viscosity index improvers come into play.
Low-viscosity lubricants benefit from viscosity index improvers added to them to increase their thickening efficiency as temperatures rise, therefore preserving their lubricating efficacy across a broad temperature range. Thus, the lubricants can consistently guard machinery over its usable temperature range.
What is the Viscosity Index?
The viscosity index characterizes the degree of viscosity change of a lubricant within a designated temperature range. It offers details on the temperature and application range that call for a lubricant. The less viscosity changes at different temperatures, the higher the value.
What are the Characteristics of a Good Viscosity Index Improver?
The balance between effective thickening and polymer stability to shear stresses defines a good viscosity index improver. What should you know? Higher molecular weight polymers are more appropriate for thickening oils. Their stability to shear stress is often less, though.
Under high shear stress, polymers of smaller molecular weight have benefits. Apart from their increased volume demand, their drawback is that their viscosity decreases less at higher temperatures.
Want to know the best part? Most professional companies offer a variety of polymers that let businesses create new solutions for the viscosity index-improving industry. Professional experts will be pleased to supply technical data and help you choose the best polymer for your viscosity index improver application.
The Advantages of a Viscosity Index Improver
Let's review the advantages that viscosity index improvers provide in many different applications. Operating over a larger temperature range, engine oils and drilling fluids VIIs eliminate the ordinarily necessary necessity for regular oil changes. Lubricating oils with VII have a longer service life and are easier to process. Lower energy use and longer equipment lifetime result in reduced production costs.
All things considered, a viscosity index improver provides better performance while potentially reducing costs. Longer service life, better manufacturing efficiency, and lower servicing costs help to counterbalance the higher cost of oils, including VII additives.
The Disadvantages of a Viscosity Index Improver
One should underline the drawbacks of a viscosity index improver. Their inclination to mechanical shear stresses is one drawback. At high temperatures, increasing shear results in a lower viscosity. Higher molecular weight polymers, especially, suffer from mechanical shear forces in the crankcase or engine, reducing or perhaps losing their efficiency.
Oil Viscosity Modifiers & Viscosity Improvers for Lubricants and Grease
Additives to aid lower fluctuations in viscosity at high and low temperatures are oil viscosity modifiers and viscosity improvers for lubricants and grease. Mineral oil lubricants and grease keep more of their efficiency throughout a broad temperature range when combined with viscosity index improvers.
Oil viscosity modifiers and viscosity improvers for lubricants and grease help to guarantee that the formulation provides dependable lubrication across a larger temperature range when added to low-viscosity fluids.
Why VI Improvers Matter in Industrial Applications
Machinery used in industrial environments is sometimes subjected to changing loads and temperatures. Using appropriate industrial lubricant additives—including VIIs—ensures your lubricants:
· Prevent excessive thickening at low temperatures
· Reduce wear and friction
· Maintain consistent performance
· Provide adequate film strength at high temperatures
Ignoring the proper viscosity index improvements can cause component failure, overheating, and expensive downtime.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Viscosity Index Improvers
Here are some of the factors that you need to consider when choosing the best viscosity index improvers:
Industry Requirements and Operating Conditions
Every industry has different requirements and operating conditions, for instance:
Automotive: It requires shear-stable viscosity improvers for engine oils.
Hydraulic Systems: They require viscosity index improvers that can maintain performance in extreme cold.
Heavy machinery: They demand robust polymers for high-temperature, high-load operations.
It is necessary to tailor your selection based on the specific load conditions, temperature ranges, and application cycles of your operation.
Shear Stability
The best VI improvers are selected, in great part, based on shear stability. Some polymers break down with time, which lessens the lubricant's efficiency. Shear-stable viscosity index improvers like Olefin Copolymers (OCP) or Polymethacrylates (PMA) are recommended for high-shear situations, such as gearboxes or diesel engines.
Compatibility with Base Oils
Not every viscosity index improver fits every base oil. Depending on your use, make sure the additive combines nicely with Group I, II, III, or synthetic base oils while you are developing your lubricant.
Common Types of Viscosity Index Improvers
Here are some of the common types of viscosity index improvers:
Olefin Copolymers (OCP)
They come with the following features:
· Cost-effective
· Moderate shear stability
· Widely used in automotive lubricants
Polymethacrylates (PMA)
They come with the following features:
· Good shear stability
· Suitable for high-performance applications
· Excellent low-temperature properties
Styrene-Diene Copolymers
They come with the following features:
· High performance
· Superior thickening efficiency
· Used in advanced industrial lubricant additives
Each type of the above-mentioned viscosity index improver has its advantages, and the best VI improvers match your formulation goals.
Future Trends
The Viscosity Index Improver market is estimated by Future Market Insights 2024 to reach USD 4.06B in 2024 and rise to USD 5.39B by 2034. Moreover, in 2024, vehicle lubricants make up around 51.6% of the VII market. This covers other oils as well as the multigrade oils in gearbox fluids and greases. Conversely, Ethylene propylene Copolymer (OCP) is expected to have a 30.4% industry share in 2024 as more sustainable fuels take the stage. This is projected to rise, considering the trend towards more environmentally friendly items.
Looking globally at the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of every nation to 2034 reveals some intriguing statistics. With a strong focus on the manufacturing sector for chemicals and drugs, as well as increasing car engine oil use, the United States boasts a CAGR of 1.6%. Conversely, Spain is expected to have a CAGR of 2.2% for power generation equipment (hydraulic oils, turbine oils, and greases) and auto manufacturers.
Wrapping Up
The performance, dependability, and efficiency of your lubricants depend on your selection of the appropriate viscosity index improvers. Understanding your industry needs, evaluating additive performance, and using professional support will help you create lubricants above and beyond expectations.
Always give the best VI improvers and a well-balanced additive package top priority, whether you are developing a new product or improving a current lubricant. Your bottom line and tools will appreciate it
