Effect evaluation of ethylene vinyl acetate/nano-montmorillonite pour-point depressant on improving the flow properties of model oil

A series of novel nano-hybrid pour-point depressants (PPDs) which combined nano-montmorillonite (MMT) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers were prepared. Compared with pure EVA PPDs with identical content, the effects of EVA/nano-MMT PPDs on the cold flow properties of 25 wt% wax model oil were evaluated. Polarized optical microscopy was used to study the effect of the EVA/nano-MMT PPDs on the crystallization behavior and crystal morphology of the model oil at low temperature. The results indicated that the vinyl acetate content of EVAs has a significant impact on the performance of EVA/nano-MMT PPDs, and appropriate dosage of the EVA/nano-MMT PPDs can be more effective than EVA PPDs in modifying the wax crystal morphology, preventing their aggregation and improving the fluidity of model oil at low temperatures.