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We offer a wide range of dibasic
esters for use in applications where biodegradability,
lubricity, hydrolytic stability and viscosity are critical.
These products include phthalates, adipates, sebacates,
azelates and
dodecanedioates. Hatco
dibasic esters find usages as raw material for spin finishes
and oiling agents for textile, rubber processing agent, plastic
lubricant, paint additive, and ink additive.
The family of phthalate esters
are widely produced worldwide. Hatco reacts phthalic anhydride
with alcohols in the 8 to 10 carbon chain length range to
produce phthalate esters.
They are used extensively in air compressor
lubricants (especially the reciprocating type) where low
viscosity index is the norm and low cost clean operation is
desirable. Phthalates are aromatic diesters and this ring
structure greatly reduces the viscosity index and lessens most
of the biodegradability benefit. In all other respects,
phthalates behave similar to other diesters and are about 20 -
30% lower in cost.
Adipates are the most widely used diesters due to
their low relative cost and good balance of properties. They
generally range from about 2.3 to 5.4 cSt at 100 C and exhibit
pour points below -60 C. The most common use of adipate diesters
is in applications such as screw compressor oils, gear and
transmission oils, automotive crankcase oils, and hydraulic
fluids. Adipates are also used as the sole basestock where
biodegradability is desired or high temperature cleanliness is
critical such as in environmentally friendly lubricants, textile
lubricants and reciprocating air compressors oils.
Azelates, sebacates, and dodecanedioates are
similar to adipates except that in each case the carbon chain
length (backbone) of the dibasic acid is longer. This "backbone
stretching" significantly increases viscosity index and improves
the lubricity characteristics of the ester while retaining all
the desirable properties of the adipates. The only downside to
these types of diesters is price which tends to run about 50 -
100% higher than adipates at the wholesale level. This group of
linear DBEs are mainly used in older military specifications and
where the lubricity factor becomes an important parameter.
The alcohols used to make diesters will also
affect the properties of the finished esters and thus are
important factors in the design process.
For example, Adipates used are typically based on alcohols in
the C8 to C10 range, incompatibility problems can be encountered
at higher carbon numbers, especially at high addition levels.
Relative to phthalates, adipates suffer from higher volatilities
and higher migration rates, and are generally higher priced. As
a result, it is not uncommon for adipates to be used in blends
with phthalates to produce a compromise of properties.
The alcohols may be reacted alone or blended with other alcohols
to form co-esters with their own unique properties.
For more information about
our extensive line of dibasic esters,
we
encourage confidential consultation with our technically trained
staff by sending us an email at hatcoinfo@chemtura.com can guide you to the best products
or development programs
or submit your requirements using our
Ester Design Sheet.
Given
of the
complexity involved in balancing the physical, chemical, and
performance characteristics of our extensive range of ester
products with the exact application and market needs,
this preliminary consultation
allows for the selection of the best product based on properties
determined by you or defined by your application.
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