Chemical reconstruction of Castor Oil --Research of Environmentally Friendly Lubricants

Natural castor oil was chemically reconstructed to extend the carbon chains by means of iso-reaction so as to improve the rheological behavior, by way of increasing the viscosity index and decreasing the pour point. The rheological and tribological characteristics of the reconstructed castor oil were comparatively investigated with those of the natural castor oil and several other vegetable oils and a mineral oil. The friction and wear test results on a four-ball machine indicate that the chemically reconstructed castor oil has considerably improved rheological and tribological properties as compared with the natural castor oil. It shows a greatly increase viscosity index and largely decreased pour point, which makes it applicable to low temperature lubrication. The chemically reconstructed castor oil even shows better tribological behavior than pentaerythritol ester or di-iso-capryl sebacate. However, it is still needed to increase the oxidation stability of the reconstructed castor oil.