{"id":918,"date":"2022-12-06T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-06T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.elastomer.kuraray.com\/us\/?p=918"},"modified":"2025-05-20T05:01:02","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T09:01:02","slug":"viscosity-index-improver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.elastomer.kuraray.com\/us\/blog\/viscosity-index-improver\/","title":{"rendered":"What are viscosity index improvers?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What are viscosity index improvers?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Author<\/p>

Robin Conrad<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Viscosity index improver<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Good to know<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Viscosity index<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The viscosity index describes the degree of viscosity change of a lubricant in a specific temperature range. It provides information on the temperature and application range for which a lubricant is suitable. The higher the value, the less the viscosity changes at different temperatures.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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What are the characteristics of a good VII?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A good viscosity index improver is characterized by a balance between efficient thickening and the stability of the polymer to shear stresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What you should know: Polymers with higher molecular weight are better suited to thickening oils. However, their stability to shear stress is usually lower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polymers with lower molecular weight have advantages under high shear stress. Their disadvantage, in addition to a higher volume requirement, is that they do not improve viscosity as well at higher temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want to know the best part? Kuraray has a wide range of polymers which allow companies to develop new products for the viscosity index improver market. Our specialists will be happy to assist you in selecting the optimum polymer for your viscosity index improver application and provide you with technical data.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Industrial oil<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Advantages of a viscosity index improver<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Let’s take a look at the benefits viscosity index improvers offer in numerous applications. Engine oils and drilling fluids operate over a wider temperature range. VIIs eliminate the need for frequent oil changes that would otherwise be required. Lubricating oils with viscosity index improvers have a longer service life and are easier to process. Increased machine longevity, along with lower energy consumption, results in lower production costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All in all, you can say that a viscosity index improver offers higher performance while potentially lowering costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although oils with VII additives can be more expensive, these costs are offset by longer service life, improved production efficiency and reduced service costs.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Disadvantages of a viscosity index improver<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The disadvantages of a viscosity index improver should be mentioned. One disadvantage is their susceptibility to mechanical shear forces. Increasing shear leads to a reduction in viscosity at high temperatures. This particularly affects higher molecular weight polymers whose effectiveness can be reduced or even lost as a result of mechanical shear forces in the crankcase or engine.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Applications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Quite versatile: Viscosity index improvers are used in a wide variety of applications<\/a><\/strong> that alternate between high and low temperatures and require consistently high protection and reliable lubrication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most applications are found in the lubricants sector where viscosity modifiers are used to formulate various types of industrial oils, lubricants and grease (including lithium grease). One application in this sector is engine oil which requires high thermal stability.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Industrial grease<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Oil viscosity modifiers & viscosity improvers for lubricants and grease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Oil viscosity modifiers and viscosity improvers for lubricants and grease act as additives to help reduce changes in viscosity at high and low temperatures. Combined with viscosity index improvers, mineral oil lubricants and grease retain more of their effectiveness over a wide temperature range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an additive to low-viscosity fluids, oil viscosity modifiers and viscosity improvers for lubricants and grease ensure that the formulation delivers reliable lubrication over a wider temperature range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kuraray\u2019s solutions for the oil modification<\/a><\/strong> sector include polymers for drilling fluids<\/strong><\/a>, also known as drilling muds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Oil viscosity modifiers have numerous applications in several markets such as oil and gas drilling operations.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Viscosity modifiers in wire & cable<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

SEPTON\u2122 can be used as viscosity modifiers to improve the performance of cable filling compounds and cable insulation<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Viscosity modifiers are used in gel filled cables for added protection and increased durability.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Viscosity modifiers in cosmetics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Did you know? Cosmetics<\/a><\/strong> also benefit from additives like viscosity modifiers and thickeners. The addition of SEPTON\u2122 can adjust the viscosity of cosmetic products.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Viscosity modifiers are also used in cosmetic products.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Viscosity modifier examples<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kuraray’s viscosity modifiers retain their properties even during broad temperature changes to ensure that lubricants remain viscous and form lubricating films.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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SEPTON\u2122<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

These styrenic thermoplastic elastomers<\/a><\/strong> can be processed in a variety of ways. Selected grades are certified for areas such as grease and oil modification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SEPTON\u2122 offers excellent functionality as a viscosity improver due to its good shear stability. SEPTON\u2122 modified VII withstands high temperatures and performs well even under high stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Visit the SEPTON\u2122 page<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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SEPTON\u2122 is commonly used in construction sealants and adhesives<\/a><\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Features and benefits of SEPTON\u2122<\/h4>\n\n\n\n