ARS | Publication request: SEED OIL BASED GREASE FOR INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

Submitted to: Great Lakes Regional American Chemical Society Symposium
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: July 1, 2004
Publication Date: October 17, 2004
Citation: Sharma, B.K., Adhvaryu, A., Erhan, S.Z. 2004. Seed oil based grease for industrial applications. Great Lakes Regional American Chemical Society Symposium.

Technical Abstract: Grease is a semi-solid colloidal dispersion of a thickener in a liquid lubricant matrix. Seed oils have significant potential as a base fluid and a substitute for mineral oil in grease formulations. The advantages of using products based on seed oils are their eco-friendly and non-toxic nature. This work focuses on the preparation methods, optimization of thickener components, and antioxidant additive for making seed oil based grease. Bio-based greases with Li-fatty acid thickener having C12 to C18 chain lengths and different metal to fatty acid ratios were synthesized. Results indicate that Li-thickener composition, fatty acid types and base oil content significantly affect grease hardness and oxidation stability. A transmission electron microscope (TEM) methodology was developed to study the nature and structure of soap dispersoid in grease matrix. It has been observed that the physical and chemical properties of grease are largely based on the thickener fiber micro-structure. Tribochemical and oxidation studies were designed and the data obtained show excellent anti-wear/friction and oxidation properties of bio-based greases.