Eco-friendly Base Fluids for Lubricant Oil Formulations

There is an increasing move towards the use of environmentally safe lubricants. However, the development ofa common biodegradable base stock that could replace conventional ones is a big challenge. Synthetic lubricants, whether synthetic hydrocarbons, organic esters, or others, all have problems associated with their use. However, in general terms synthetic lubricants protect better, last longer, and outpelform their conventional mineral-based counteJparts in certain applications. Future lubricant specifIcations in view of the demand for improved peJjormance to meet stringent environmental regulations are the main drivers for new technological developments. As part of a study to produce polyol ester lubricant base stocks Fom C, polyols and C6-C'4 carboxylic acids in the presence of eco~fi'iendly catalysts, a series of" products has been synthesised. A biodegradable lubricant formulation for automotive transmission fluids has been developed based on a synthesised product as a base fluid. This paper reports on the physico-chemical characteristics and peJjormance evaluation results of this formulation, which is a promising base stock for automotive transmission fluids