EPO

Ethylene-Propylene Oligomer

Ethylene-Propylene Oligomer (EPO) is a liquid polymer product that selectively polymerizes ethylene and propylene with metallocene catalyst. It is a synthetic oil with an ethylene-propylene polymer structure.

Using EPO delivers fuel efficiency and durability through superior oxidation stability, low-temperature resistance, and shear stability, therefore increase cost competitiveness.

Index

• Characteristics
• Features of EPO
• Physical Properties
• Packaging, Shelf Life, and Heating
• Typical Applications
• Typical Properties

Characteristics

EPO has various characteristics and advantages:

High Viscosity Index
Viscosity index varying from 150 to 300. Its high VI improves and conserves the viscosity index in a variety of lubricants.

Excellent Shear Stability
It has outstanding shear strength even after long exposures to mechanical movements, which contributes to extending the lifetime of end products.

Chemical Stability
Chemically stable and hardly oxidizes in the air due to its exceptional oxidation stability to light, UV, and air.

Non-toxic
It is a high-purity, non-toxic product with little sulphur and metal content.

Excellent Thickening Power
It shows excellent viscosity-enhancing properties when mixed with mineral oils.

Features of EPO

High quality synthetic oil
Improves energy efficiency and durability through high viscosity index, low temperature resistance and heat/oxidation stability.

Enhanced lubricant performance
Lubricant additive that can improve shear stability.

Environmental-friendly and Non-toxic

REACH and NSF certified (H-1, HX-1)
LuSC listed, our additives can be used in lubricants with Ecolabel certification

Physical Properties

Specific Gravity and Density
The specific gravity and density of EPO is between 0.84 and 0.85 and 40~2000 (@100ºC) each. The higher the molecular weight, the higher the density; The higher the temperature, the lower the density.

Molecular Weight
The number average molecular weight (Mn) of EPO ranges between 1,900 and 7,200 while its polydispersity index ranges from 1,5 to 2 leading to stable and homogenous.

Viscosity
EPO has a wide kinematic viscosity range of 40 to 2,000 cSt at 100ºC. It varies by temperature and molecular weight, higher molecular weight and lower temperature lead to increased viscosity.

Viscosity Index
EPO has a high viscosity index varying from 150 to 300. As the viscosity increases, so does the viscosity index. Its higher viscosity index enables it to maintain consistent viscosity at a wide range of temperatures.

Flash Point & Fire Point
The flash point of EPO is at least 265ºC and even higher as viscosity increases, proving reliable heat-resistance.

Pour Point
EPO is non-crystalline and has a lower pour point, showing an excellent advantage at low cold temperatures such as -37ºC.

Colour
EPO is colourless and has reliable colour stability. Its APHA colour (Pt/Co scale) is 20 or lower.

Packaging, Shelf Life, and Heating

Packaging
EPO is available in three types of packages as described below:

• Drum (open/closed) – Net weight 170kg (gross weight 190kg)
• ISO Container – 24kl (19MT)
• IBC Container – 820kg (877kg with container)

Shelf Life
Kemat’s supplier’s drum packaging warranty is two years from the date of manufacture if the product is unopened and the specified handling and storage methods on the Safety Data Sheets are followed. For mor information, please contact us via email.

Heating Temperature
The following table shows Kemat’s recommendation for the use of a heating box. We strongly recommend that the following table is used, and that temperatures are not exceeded if using different heating tools.

Typical Applications

EPO is employed in a variety of applications due to its intrinsic characteristics and advantages.

• 

  Hydraulic fluid

  Viscosity Index Improver (VII)
  EPO improves and conserves the viscosity index of a variety of lubricants: automotive/industrial gear oil, hydraulic fluid, compressor oil, etc. EPO has a high viscosity index varying from 150 to 300.

  As the viscosity increases, so does the index. Its higher viscosity index enables it to maintain a consistent viscosity at a wide range of temperatures.

• 

  Automotive gear oil

  Automotive Gear Oil – Viscosity Modifier
  EPO is widely adopted as a viscosity modifier of automotive gear oil (differential oil/transmission oil) because of its excellent viscosity index control, thickening power, low-temperature property and shear strength.

  In particular, its higher viscosity index greatly enhances durability, and its lower wear property helps improve vehicle fuel economy.

• 

  Industrial gear oil

  Industrial Gear Oil / Hydraulic Oil / Compressor Oil – Viscosity Modifier
  EPO is suitable as a viscosity modifier of highly viscous industrial gear oil due to its superior viscosity index, higher thickening power and improved film thickness.

  Stable properties and lower volatility prevent degradation due to long exposures or contamination from moisture or other impurities.

• 

  Grease

  Grease – High Viscosity Synthetic Base Stock
  EPO has similar physical properties to Group IV PAO and therefore the colour change will barely occur in a long term use as the viscosity index and the thickening power of the product is high with superior oxidation stability.

• 

  Rubber & elastomer process oil

  Rubber (TPE, EPDM) – Extrusion Oil / Compound Process Oil
  EPO has a higher molecular weight than general process aids. It can improve extrusion processability, permanent compression set, weather resistance and mechanical strength of the finished products when used as a plasticizer or flexibilizer.

  Also, it has excellent compatibility due to its structural similarity with EPDM.

• 

  Defoamer

  Paint and Coating – Defoamer
  EPO is suitable as a defoaming agent for paints, and shows optimized performance in solvent based and non-solvent based urethane and epoxy coatings.

  Adding a small amount of EPO can deliver a smooth and clean surface.

• 

  Cable jelly

  Others
  EPO can be used in various applications including wire/cable jelly, cosmetics, mould release for polyurethane, and insulating oil additives.

  Custom products are available through close collaboration between R&D and production.

Typical Properties