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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 #420085
Research Project: Versatile Biobased Products with Multiple Functions

Location: Bio-oils Research

Title: Cold-flow properties of estolides: the older (D97 and D2500) versus the mini-(D5773 and D5949) methods

Author
item Bantchev, Grigor
item Lew, Helen
item CHEN, YUNZHI - Former ARS Employee
item Winfield, Demichael
item Cermak, Steven
item ANGLIN, JAMES - Allegheny Petroleum

Submitted to: Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/20/2024
Publication Date: 5/18/2025
Citation: Bantchev, G.B., Lew, H.N., Chen, Y., Winfield, D.D., Cermak, S.C., Anglin, J.R. 2025. Cold-flow properties of estolides: the older (D97 and D2500) versus the mini-(D5773 and D5949) methods [abstract]. Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Annual Meeting and Exhibition.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In the current study, we compared the results of the older widely accepted ASTM methods D97 (pour point) and D2500 (cloud point) to the newer methods D5949 and D5773 for biobased base oils (estolides). The new methods require a smaller amount of sample and are easier to perform. The cloud point (CP) results were in good agreement for less colored samples, but D5773 gave lower values for some darker (Gardner color >8) samples, especially esters. The D5949 showed a tendency to report higher pour points (PP), especially for the lower values. Viscosities and densities in a wide temperature range (15-120°C) were also measured. The surface tensions were estimated by a literature group method. Viscosity and density effects can only partially explain the differences in the PP values from the two methods. In conclusion, the newer mini-methods are an acceptable substitution when larger volumes are not accessible, unless the sample is too dark.