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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Bio-oils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #260675
Title: Estolides - Ready for commercialization

Author
item Cermak, Steven - Steve
item BREDSGUARD, JAKOB - Biosynthetic Technologies
item JOHN, BILLEE - Biosynthetic Technologies
item ISBELL, KATELYN - Biosynthetic Technologies
item Durham, Amber
item Isbell, Terry

Submitted to: Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/13/2010
Publication Date: 5/15/2011
Citation: Cermak, S.C., Bredsguard, J.W., John, B.L., Isbell, K.N., Durham, A.L., Isbell, T.A. 2011. Estolides - Ready for commercialization [abstract]. Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Annual Meeting & Exhibition. p. 107.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Estolides have shown great promise as a bio-based lubricant and are ready for commercialization. Estolides are nontoxic and biodegradable. Testing has shown estolides have increased oxidative stability over vegetable oil based lubricants and have a relatively low pour point, allowing them to be used in a wide range of applications. Estolides are formed when the carboxylic acid functionality of one fatty acid links to the site of unsaturation of another fatty acid to form an ester. Estolides were derived from a number of raw material sources and evaluated. In addition, a one-pot process was performed in which the ester functionality of an estolide ester was varied. The estolide esters were converted to their corresponding hydroxy fatty acid and the degree of polymerization and iodine values were determined by Gas Chromatography analysis. Physical properties (pour and cloud points, viscosities, viscosity index, and color) of these estolide esters will be compared to commercial products.