Priolube™ 3982 | High Viscosity Ester for Industrial Gear Oils
83% bio-based and shear-stable alternative to PAO 100
Industrial gearboxes operate under intense loads over extended periods of time, placing significant stress on the lubricant and increasing the risk of wear. Operators require greater efficiency and longer oil drain intervals, while the industry pushes for higher bio-based content.
Developed to meet this demand, Cargill’s Priolube™ 3982 base oil – a high performance, 83% bio-based, and shear stable complex ester - functions as an ideal thickener for formulators looking to create innovative industrial gear oils.
Priolube 3982 ester helps formulators create gear oils that are efficient, durable, and optimized for demanding applications.
Features and benefits
High bio-based content *
Reduced thickener consumption
Improved efficiency and reduced friction
Enhanced shear stablity
Why Priolube 3982?
Unlocking measurable value for your formulations
83%
Bio-based content*
25%
Less thickener required with Priolube 3982 vs PAO 100 to formulate ISO VG 68-460 gear oils
15%
Lower traction when comparing a blend thickened with Priolube 3982 vs PAO 100
3.1%
KV40 loss in KRL shear stability test
Proven performance
Reduced thickener consumption
Priolube™ 3982 enables the formulation of ISO VG 68-460 gear oils with up to 25% less thickener compared to PAO 100, without compromising viscosity or durability.
Figure 1: Lower treat rate of Priolube 3982 required compared to PAO 100 to thicken a PAO6 to common ISO viscosity grades. % reduction in treat rate is approximately 25% for all viscosity grades.
Improved efficiency
By delivering traction reduction in Group IV base oils, Priolube™ 3982 improves power transmission efficiency and lowers energy losses.
Figure 2: Traction curve of two ISO150 base oil blends, both based on PAO 6. The blend thickened with Priolube 3982 displays approximately 15% lower traction than the one thickened with PAO 100. This would correspond with lower energy loss in an application and therefore higher system efficiency.
Reduced friction
Proven lower friction in boundary and mixed lubrication regimes extends gear life and minimizes maintenance downtime.
Figure 4: Stribeck curve of two fully formulated synthetic industrial gear oils based on PAO 6 thickened to an ISO150 viscosity grade with Priolube 3982 and PAO 100 respectively. Both use the same additive package, at the manufacturer’s recommended treat rate. The formulation with Priolube 3982 shows consistently lower friction across all lubrication regimes, particularly in the mixed and boundary lubrication regime. This would translate into reduced friction in severe operating conditions and shows the ability of the ester to provide improved lubricity
Shear stable
KRL shear stability tests confirm minimal viscosity loss after 20 hours, ensuring consistent lubrication performance and long-term protection under severe mechanical stress in heavy-duty gear applications.
|
Product |
Base oil |
Treat rate/ % w/w |
KV40 |
KRL viscosity loss/ % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Priolube 3982 |
PAO 4 |
17 |
68 |
3.1 |
|
Priolube 3982 |
PAO 6 |
36 |
150 |
1.9 |
Table 1: % reduction in KV40 for ISO68 and ISO150 blends based on different PAO base oils and Priolube 3982. Tested according to CEC L-45-A-99. The viscosity loss is minimal and the fluids will stay well within ISO viscosity grade.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the formulation advantages of synthetic esters over mineral oils or PAOs?
Esters enable formulators to create gear oils with better oxidative stability and longer service life than mineral oils. They possess better additive solubility and can mitigate seal shrinkage problems that can occur with PAO base oils.
How do synthetic esters compare to mineral oils in gear oils?
Unlike mineral oils, synthetic esters maintain performance at extreme temperatures, resist oxidation, and provide better additive solubility. This results in longer oil life, improved gear protection, and reduced maintenance needs.
What makes Priolube 3982 different from conventional PAO thickeners?
Compared to PAO 100, Priolube 3982 requires up to 25% less thickener, delivers lower traction and friction, and shows minimal viscosity loss under shear—resulting in more efficient, cost effective, and robust gear oil formulations.
Does Priolube 3982 help reduce friction and wear?
Yes. Priolube 3982 demonstrates lower friction in boundary and mixed lubrication regimes, helping reduce wear under severe operating conditions. This translates into extended gear life and reduced maintenance downtime.
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*Based on ASTM D6866-24