ABSTRACT
Polybutenes are produced by the polymerization of a hydrocarbon stream containing a high proportion of isobutylene. Polybutenes are straight chain, aliphatic polymers, predominantly made up of the isobutylene repeat unit. The main hydrogen types in the polymer are primary and secondary. Polybutenes are constructed of carbon and hydrogen and are nonpolar in character. The major end-use for polybutenes takes advantage of the reactivity of the polymer afforded through the double bond at the end of the polymer chain. The physical properties used routinely to characterize a polybutene are its molecular weight and viscosity. Polybutenes are employed alone or in combination with other oils as lubricants for the barrels of compressors, which are used to generate the high pressures of ethylene gas required for reaction in the manufacture of low-density polyethylene. Polybutenes combine effective viscosity control with the ability to deliver a number of key benefits and high-performance characteristics to a wide range of automotive and industrial lubricants.
