Palm olein based biolubricant basestocks: Synthesis, characterisation, tribological and rheological analysis

Palm olein (POo) was modified through chemical reaction to produce biolubricant basestock (di-oleate-POo and oleate-ether-POo). POo was epoxidised to produce epoxidised palm olein (EPOo), then ring opening process were performed by hydrolysis and alcoholysis to produce di-hydroxy-POo and hydroxy-ether-POo. Both intermediate products were esterified with oleic acid to produce di-oleate-POo and oleate-ether-POo. Detection analyses were done by using fourier transformation infra-red (FTIR), proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR and 13C-NMR). Di-oleate-POo recorded of its oxidative stability (140 oC), pour point (-5 oC), flash and fire point (215 oC and 245 oC), kinematic viscosity about 417.5 cSt (40 oC) and 45.4 cSt (100 oC) with the viscosity index of 166. While, oleate-ether-POo recorded of its oxidative stability (178 oC), pour point (1 oC), flash and fire point (190 oC dan 210 oC), kinematic viscosity about 113.7 cSt (40 oC) and 21.5 cSt (100 oC) with the viscosity index of 217. The biolubricant basestocks grade of ISO VG 460 (di-oleate-POo) and ISO VG 100 (oleate-ether-POo) were successfully produced. Di-oleate-POo and oleate-ether-POo were Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluid. Both products were hydrodynamic lubricant with low friction coefficients at 40 oC and 100 oC