Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER 11
The Potential of Vegetable Oils
for Lubricants
BRAJENDRA K. SHARMA,*
a
ZENGSHE LIU
b
AND
SEVIM Z. ERHAN
c
a
Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, UIUC, 1 Hazelwood Drive,
Champaign, IL 61820, USA;
b
USDA, ARS, National Center for Agricultural
Utilization Research, Bio-Oils Research Unit, 1815 N. University Street,
Peoria, IL 61604, USA
y
;
c
USDA, ARS, Eastern Regional Research Center,
600 E. Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, USA
y
*Email: bksharma@illinois.edu
11.1 Introduction
Environmental concerns and petroleum shortages have encouraged exten-
sive research into bio-lubricants. Because of their biodegradability, low
ecotoxicity and excellent tribological properties, vegetable oil-based lubri-
cants, such as soybean oil find applications in many areas from greases
to hydraulic oils which offer lower coecients of friction, improved
wear characteristics, a higher viscosity index, lower volatility, and lower
flashpoints than mineral-based oils. The global lubricant demand was
38.7million metric tons (MMT) in 2012 and is forecast to reach 42.1 MMT in
2017, growing at less than 2% per year.
1,2
The lubricant growth rates are
expected to be stagnant for Europe (0.6% per year) and North America
y
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providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
