Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Bio-oils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #388824
Research Project: Versatile Biobased Products with Multiple Functions

Location: Bio-oils Research

Title: Correlating viscosity of 2-ethylhexyl oleic estolide esters to their molecular weight

Author
item Bantchev, Grigor
item Cermak, Steven - Steve

Submitted to: Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/15/2022
Publication Date: 5/15/2022
Citation: Bantchev, G.B., Cermak, S.C. 2022. Correlating viscosity of 2-ethylhexyl oleic estolide esters to their molecular weight [abstract]. Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers. p. 162.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Estolide esters, a class of lipids that are made from vegetable oil, were recently added to the market as renewable biobased lubricants. To widen their adoption as lubricants, their viscosity needs to be within tight limits. We measured the viscosity of the oleic estolide esters at different temperatures and compared the data with theoretical models. Mauro-Yue-Ellison-Gupta-Allan (MYEGA) was the best model to predict viscosity dependence on temperature and molecular weight. The models predicted well the measured viscosity data from the temperature and the average molecular weight of the estolides. These results will allow tailoring the estolide esters viscosity to specific applications by controlling the structure, allowing farm-based estolide esters to be used as engine oils, hydraulic fluids, metalworking fluids, etc.