EsterTec® VSP
EsterTec® VSP Synthetic Esters: Next-Generation Performance & Sustainability
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Ready to Elevate Your Formulation's Performance?
The data proves it: EsterTec® VSP synthetic esters deliver the simultaneous hydrolytic stability, deposit prevention, and biogenic advantages your next-generation lubricants demand. Whether you are developing high-efficiency EV fluids, severe-duty industrial gear oils, or eco-friendly hydraulic fluids, our technical team is ready to help you integrate VSP technology.
EsterTec® VSP — A New Class of Synthetic Ester
EsterTec® VSP (Vicinal Secondary Polyol) synthetic esters are produced through a novel molecular architecture using a unique production process based on globally available commodity raw materials. The VSP structure places ester groups on adjacent carbons in a flat linear backbone, with straight alkyl chains radiating outward — a geometry that delivers simultaneous improvements in oxidative stability, hydrolytic stability, friction reduction, and deposit control versus standard adipate diesters and polyol esters at the same viscosity grade.
What Makes VSP Different
- High-stability vicinal ester molecular positioning
- Steric hindrance that improves oxidative stability
- Secondary alcohols on adjacent carbons improve hydrolytic stability
- Novel structure built from standard, globally available raw materials
- 30–74% biogenic content depending on viscosity grade
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Oxidation Onset Temperature (OOT) by Viscosity Class
Test Method: ASTM E2009 Method C (DSC, ramp 10°C/min, air, aluminum pan)
| Product | VSP Grade | OOT (°C) | Comparison Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| EsterTec® 2N-1416 | VSP 3.6 | ~258 | Low-viscosity engine/driveline — outperforms DOA, DIDA, DIOA, DINA, DTDA (232–240°C) |
| EsterTec® 2LN-1418 | VSP 4.1 | ~258 | Low-viscosity engine/driveline |
| EsterTec® 2L-1425 | VSP 5 | ~263 | Low-viscosity engine/driveline — highest OOT in this comparison set |
| EsterTec® 2G-1432 | VSP 7 | ~255 | Mid-viscosity industrial — outperforms NPG-DO, PG-DO, 2-EHO (230–244°C); comparable to PE-TO, TMP-TO (~252°C) |
| EsterTec® 8LX-14150 | VSP 18 | ~253 | High-viscosity gear/chain — comparable to PEiS (~252°C); below DPE C5,7,9 (~262°C) |
Panel Coker Deposit Results
| Product | VSP Grade | KV100 (cSt) | Deposit (mg) | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EsterTec® 2N-1416 | VSP 3.6 | 3.6 | ~15 | TMP C810: ~255 mg |
| EsterTec® 2LN-1418 | VSP 4.1 | 4.1 | ~43 | PE 4810: ~220 mg |
| EsterTec® 2L-1425 | VSP 5 | 5 | ~58 | DTDA: ~96 mg |
| EsterTec® 2G-1432 | VSP 7 | 7 | ~130 | PE-TO: ~1,340 mg; TMP-TO: ~940 mg |
| EsterTec® 8LX-14150 | VSP 18 | 18 | ~60 | Comparable to POE-150HT (~59 mg) |
Three-Phase Pan Test (3PP) Results
| Product | Solid % | Liquid % | Vapor % | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EsterTec® 2N-1416 (VSP 3.6) | 9 | 54 | 37 | Good — vs. DIDA (8/69/23), DINA (10/36/54) |
| EsterTec® 2L-1425 (VSP 5) | 9 | 66 | 25 | Good — vs. TMP C9 (10/74/16), PE510 (9/66/25) |
| EsterTec® 2G-1432 (VSP 7) | 29 | 64 | 7 | Marginal solid fraction — verify with applications team |
| EsterTec® 8LX-14150 (VSP 18) | 11 | 80 | 9 | Good — vs. DPE C59 (18/56/26) |
| (18/56/26) |
Ramsbottom Carbon Residue (RCR)
Test Method: ASTM D524, 550°C, 20 minutes, glass bulb
| Product | Residual Carbon (mg) | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| EsterTec® 2L-1425 (VSP 5) | ~0.02 | Lowest in comparison set |
| EsterTec® 2N-1416 (VSP 3.5) | ~0.03 | Comparable to DIDA, PE 79 |
| EsterTec® 8LX-14150 (VSP 18) | ~0.06 | Comparable to PAO 4 |
| EsterTec® 2G-1432 (VSP 7) | ~0.07 | Below POE 150, Nap 100, POE 350 |
| 0W-20 formulated engine oil (PCMO) | ~0.88 | Reference comparison — fully formulated reference engine oil, not a base stock |
Section Summary: VSP synthetic esters are a new class of base oils and additives demonstrating oxidative stability and deposit-forming tendency that is equal to or better than standard adipate or polyol esters across the full viscosity range — without relying on antioxidant or stabilizer additives to achieve this baseline performance.
Four-Ball Wear (No Additives)
Test Method: ASTM D4172 four-ball wear test (40 kg load, 75°C, 1200 rpm, 60 minutes, 52100 steel)
| Product | VSP Grade | KV100 (cSt) | Wear Scar (mm) | CoF | Wear Improvement vs. Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EsterTec® 2N-1416 |
VSP 3.6 | 3.6 | 0.52 | 0.167 |
Up to 84% vs. same-viscosity adipate diesters
(DOA: 1.00mm) |
| EsterTec® 2G-1432 |
VSP 7 | 7.0 | 0.63 | 0.182 | 31–47% vs. same-viscosity unsaturated polyol esters |
| EsterTec® 7GX-1446 |
VSP 9 | 9 | 0.61 | 0.178 | 47–68% vs. same-viscosity polyol esters / aromatic ester |
Performance With Standard Additive Packages
Summary: When tested with a full industrial additive package (1.0% triaryl phosphate AW, 0.5% oleyl sarcosine CI, 0.1% benzotriazole MD), EsterTec® VSP base stocks deliver equal or better antiwear protection compared to standard synthetic esters at equivalent viscosity grades. All coefficient of friction values with the full additive package fall in the 0.12–0.20 range, confirming strong AW additive synergy.
| Product | Wear Scar — No AW (mm) | Wear Scar — Full AW/CI/MD Pack (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| EsterTec® 2N-1416 (VSP 3.6) | 0.52 | 0.69 |
| DIDA (diester comparison) | 0.84 | 0.85 |
| EsterTec® 2G-1432 (VSP 7) | 0.63 | 0.47 |
| NPG-DO (polyol ester comparison) | 0.72 | 0.47 |
| EsterTec® 7GX-1446 (VSP 9) | 0.61 | 0.35 |
| TMP-TO (polyol ester comparison) | 0.77 | 0.63 |
Hydrolytic Commercial Forum
Test Method: ASTM D2619 (All esters evaluated with no inhibitor or passivation additives)
| Property | EsterTec® 2N-1416 | EsterTec® 2G-1432 | EsterTec® 8LX-14150 | Pass Limit* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil TAN Δ (mg KOH/g) | 0.03 | 0.01 | 0.12 | < 0.2 |
| Water Layer Acidity (mg KOH) | 1.00 | 0.80 | 0.30 | < 5.0 |
| Copper Corrosion (ASTM D130) | 1b | 1b | 1b | < 2 |
*Typical limits for a formulated lubricant. All VSP base stocks tested without antioxidants or stabilizer additives.
Dielectric Commercial Forum
Target Applications: EV multifunctional coolant/lubricants and data center immersion cooling
| Property | 2N-1416 (VSP 3.6) |
2LN-1418 (VSP 4.1) |
2L-1425 (VSP 5) |
2G-1432 (VSP 7) |
Standard PE Ester |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KV100, cSt | 3.6 | 4.1 | 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Flash / Fire Point (°C) | 230 / 255 | 240 / 265 | 250 / 275 | 295 / 315 | 270 / 310 |
| Biogenic Content (%) | 64 | 65 | 70 | 74 | 0 |
| Specific Heat Capacity (J/g·K) | 2.17 | 2.11 | 2.16 | 2.19 | 1.928 |
| Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K) | 0.135 | 0.137 | 0.142 | 0.145 | 0.142 |
| Dielectric Breakdown Voltage (2mm, kV) | > 50 | > 50 | > 50 | > 50 | > 50 |
*Typical limits for a formulated lubricant. All VSP base stocks tested without antioxidants or stabilizer additives.
Applications Commercial Forum
| Application | VSP Grades | ISO Viscosity Range | Key Performance Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Oils / Driveline | VSP 3.6, 4.1, 5 | ISO 15–32 | Low Noack volatility, high OOT, low CoF vs. adipate diesters |
| Metalworking Fluids / EV Fluids | VSP 3.6, 4.1, 5, 7 | ISO 15–46 | Friction and wear reduction; excellent hydrolytic stability (ASTM D2619) |
| Hydraulic Fluids / Industrial Lubricants | VSP 5, 7, 9 | ISO 32–100 | Deposit control, AW additive synergy, biodegradable EAL capability |
| Dielectric Coolants / Transformer Oils | VSP 3.6, 4.1, 5, 7 | ISO 15–46 | Dielectric breakdown voltage > 50 kV (2mm); high flash/fire point; high specific heat capacity |
| Gear & Chain Oils / Oven Chain | VSP 9, 11, 18 | ISO 68–150 | Low Panel Coker deposit; strong OOT vs. high-viscosity polyol esters |
| Compressor Oils | VSP 5, 7, 9, 11 | ISO 32–100 | Oxidative stability; low deposit; excellent hydrolytic stability |
| Grease Base Stocks | VSP 9, 11, 18 | ISO 68–150 | High flash point; low volatility; thickener compatibility |
| EAL / Environmentally Acceptable | VSP 3.6–18 | ISO 15–150 | 30–74% biogenic content; biodegradability compatibility; USDA BioPreferred eligible |
| Food Grade H1 Lubricants | VSP grades — confirm certification | — | Low toxicity; hydrolytic stability; good oxidative stability |
Specifications
| Property | 2N-1416 | 2LN-1418 | 2L-1425 | 2G-1432 | 7GX-1446 | 7GX-1468 | 8LX-14100 | 8LX-14150 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VSP Grade | 3.6 | 4.1 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 18 |
| KV100, cSt | 3.6 | 4.1 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 18 |
| KV40, cSt | 16 | 18 | 25 | 32 | 46 | 68 | 100 | 150 |
| Viscosity Index | 115 | 125 | 140 | 180 | 165 | 155 | 140 | 130 |
| Pour Point (°C) | -60 | -40 | -25 | -42 | -40 | -40 | -35 | -30 |
| Density | 0.895 | 0.893 | 0.890 | 0.890 | 0.900 | 0.915 | 0.925 | 0.935 |
| NOACK Volatility (%) | 9 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Biogenic Content (%) | 64 | 65 | 70 | 74 | 60 | 50 | 40 | 30 |
Test Methods: KV per ASTM D7042; Pour Point per ASTM D5950; NOACK by TGA method. All values are nominal.
Note: All specification values listed above are nominal. To receive the most current, verified Technical Data Sheets (TDS) or Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for specific VSP grades, please submit a request through our contact form.