ABSTRACT
Polymer esters are copolymers of a-olefins and maleic or fumaric acid esterified with short or medium chain length alcohols. Polymer esters, like most diesters and polyol esters, are regarded as harmless to man and the environment. Polymer esters are used in areas calling for high lubricity and stability, where their performance benefits outweigh their costs. The superior inherent lubricity of polymer esters can be demonstrated in the Reichert friction and wear tester, which offers a simple, quick means of evaluating lubricating oil base fluids. Polymer esters exist in a wide range of polarities. Most polymer esters based on non-ethoxylated alcohols are compatible with mineral oils and the commonly used lubricating oil additives. Polymer esters like diesters or polyol esters exhibit excellent compatibility with the metals typically used in the manufacture of engine parts, metalworking tools, machined parts, and so on; there are no corrosive or leaching effects.
