Olefin issue

[Dominic]

Why do polyalphaolefins, AKA stranded alkenes, make better oils than polymerized alkanes?

 

[Drstressor]

Because PAOs are typically branched molecules. As such, they have much higher viscosity indices and are more shear resistant than linear alkanes or paraffins. Finished PAOs are not alkenes since nearly all of the unsaturated terminal double bonds are fully saturated by hydrogen treatment. This makes them very resistant to oxidation.

 

[Dominic]

Very good information, thankyou.