Study on Havea brasiliensis (rubber seed) oil for development of a biodegradable lubricant

Abstract

In order to reduce the effect of environmental degradation due to the use of mineral oils and fossil fuels, a substituent bio-oil is used. Here we use non edible plant oil as a replacement for the mineral oil, which averts any fuel-food crisis. Physical properties of the oil was determined first hand. The present study deals with the thermal and rheological properties of Rubber Seed Oil (RSO). Rheological property being one of the important factor of a lubricant, the density and viscosity of the oil was determined first hand. Thermogravimetric analysis was done and the results show that RSO was stable up to 250°C. Additives including Polypropylene (PP) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were added in different percentages by weight for improving the Rheological properties.The original version of this article supplied to AIP Publishing excluded the acknowledgement section. The missing acknowledgment can be found below: “This research was supported by CERD under the funding scheme KTU/RESEARCH 3/1430/2016. The authors would also like to extend profound gratitude to STIC, CUSAT, CEPC-kollam, NITC for the help in carrying out the experiments.”