Abstract: The present invention utilizes simple dimethylsilicone fluids of the proper viscosity/molecular weight added to modify the low temperature properties of polycyclic hydrocarbons. One preferred embodiment of a polycyclic hydrocarbon is a perhydro dimer of alpha-methyl styrene. Addition of the dimethylsilicone fluid to the perhydo dimer of alpha-methyl styrene improves the low temperature performance without degrading the requisite low shear stress shear strength properties. Low viscosity dimethylsilicone lubricating fluids combined with polycyclic hydrocarbons are suitable for use in infinitely variable transmissions providing good low temperature flow properties and high shear strength at high temperature and low contact stress conditions.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes simple dimethylsilicone fluids of the proper viscosity/molecular weight distribution to modify the low temperature properties of cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon fluids. Addition of the dimethylsilicone fluid to cycloaliphatic fluids improves their low temperature performance without degrading the requisite elastohydrodynamic shear strength properties. Low viscosity dimethylsilicone lubricating fluids combined with cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon fluids are suitable for use in infinitely variable transmissions and other traction-drive transmission providing good low temperature flow properties and high elastohydrodynamic shear strength.

Abstract: A basestock that comprises a fully hydrogenated substituted styrene linear dimer; a partially hydrogenated mono-aromatic substituted styrene linear dimer; and a partially hydrogenated di-aromatic substituted styrene linear dimer. A process of producing a basestock that comprises reacting a feed stream that comprises substituted styrene, alcohol, and a dimerization catalyst, in the presence of a solvent, to form a crude slurry of dimerized substituted styrene; and partially hydrogenating the dimerized substituted styrene with hydrogen over a Group VIII catalyst to form a basestock that comprises a fully hydrogenated substituted styrene linear dimer and a partially hydrogenated substituted styrene linear dimer.