ARS | Publication request: Modification of Vegetable Oils for Lubricants

Submitted to: Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 7, 2009
Publication Date: October 7, 2009
Citation: Bantchev, G.B., Biresaw, G. 2009. Modification of Vegetable Oils for Lubricants [abstract]. Society of Lubrication Engineers, Central Illinois Section, Monthly Meeting, Peoria, Il.

Technical Abstract: The current talk deals with a partial review of research for developing improved lubricants from vegetable oils through modifications of the chemical structure. The typical vegetable oil is a mixture of triesters of glycerin with linear fatty acids, most of them with one or more double bonds. The double bonds are the most reactive part of the triglyceride molecule. It decreases the stability of the vegetable oil, making it less suitable for lubrication purposes. It reactions can also be used to alter the vegetable oil by introducing functional groups for different applications. This is one of the routes of modification. Other route is the transesterification of the ester groups. The third route is to use different plants and microorganisms to produce uncommon fatty acids.