Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Biobased Polyalphaolefin Base Oil: Chemical, Physical, and Tribological Properties

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Tribology Letters Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The properties of a biobased polyalphaolefin with a viscosity of 40 cSt at 100 °C (BPAO-40) were investigated relative to a commercial petroleum-based PAO of similar viscosity at 100 °C (PAO-40). BPAO-40 was synthesized by oligomerization of a mixture of alpha olefins, with and without terminal methyl esters. These olefins were obtained from vegetable oils via a biorefinery process. In contrast to BPAO-40, commercial PAO-40 is synthesized only from non-functionalized alpha olefins. Thus, BPAO-40 is not only biobased, but also has a unique chemical structure, which makes it a functionalized PAO. The effect of chemical structure (presence or lack of methyl ester functionalization) on chemical, physical, and tribological properties of these two base oils was investigated. The investigation showed that, relative to the commercial non-functionalized PAO-40, the functionalized BPAO-40 displayed the following properties: higher density at 40–100 °C, lower number average molecular weight, higher polydispersity index, higher viscosity index, lower oxidation stability (pressurized differential scanning calorimetry), higher total acid number, higher free fatty acid, lower four-ball anti-wear coefficient of friction (COF) and lower wear scar diameter (WSD), higher elastohydrodynamic (EHD) lubricant film thickness under boundary conditions (low speeds and high temperature), lower EHD traction coefficient at 40 and 100 °C, similar pressure–viscosity coefficient, lower COF, lower WSD, and higher relative film thickness on a high-frequency reciprocating rig tribometer under boundary conditions (low speeds).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Rudnick, L.R. (ed.): Lubricant Additives, 3rd edn. CRC Press, Boca Raton (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Rudnick, L.R., Shubkin, R.L. (eds.): Synthetic Lubricants and High-Performance Functional Fluids, 2nd edn. Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Benton, J.: Changing trade winds for base oil. Lubes-n-Greases 24, 20–25 (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Sharma, B.K., Biresaw, G. (eds.): Environmentally Friendly and Biobased Lubricants. CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group, Boca Raton (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Brown, S.F.: Base oil groups: manufacture, properties and performance. TLT 71, 32–35 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Schneider, M.P.: Plant-oil-based lubricants and hydraulic fluids. J. Sci. Food Agric. 86, 1769–1780 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Erhan, S.Z.: Oxidative stability of mid-oleic soybean oil: synergistic effect of antioxidant–antiwear additives. In: Proceedings USB Lube TAP (2006)

  8. Honary, L.A.T.: Biobased greases and lubricants: from research to commercialization. In: Proceedings USB Lube TAP (2007)

  9. Hope, K., Garmier, B.: High performance engine oils with vegetable oil and PAO blends. In: STLE 63rd Annual Meeting and Exhibition, Cleveland, OH, 18–22 May, Program Guide, p. 180 (2008)

  10. Lawate, S.S., Lal, K., Huang, C.: Vegetable oils—structure and performance. In: Booser, E.R. (ed.) Tribology Data Handbook, pp. 103–116. CRC Press, New York (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Gast, L.E., Schneider, W.J., Forest, C.A., Cowan, J.C.: Composition of methyl esters from heatbodied linseed oils. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 40, 287 (1963)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Adhvaryu, A., Erhan, S.Z., Perez, J.M.: Tribological studies of thermally and chemically modified vegetable oils for use as environmentally friendly lubricants. Wear 257, 359 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Arca, M.: Oxidative properties and thermal polymerization of soybean oil and application in gear lubricants. M.S. Thesis, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (2011)

  14. Arca, M., Sharma, B.K., Perez, J.M., Doll, K.M.: Gear oil formulation designed to meet bio-preferred criteria as well as give high performance. Int. J. Sustain. Eng. 6, 326 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Erhan, S.Z., Adhvaryu, A., Sharma, B.K.: Chemically functionalized vegetable oils. In: Rudnick, L.S. (ed.) Synthetics, Mineral Oils, and Bio-based Lubricants Chemistry and Technology, pp. 361–387. CRC Press, Boca Raton (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Cermak, S., Isbell, T.: Estolides: the next biobased functional fluid. INFORM 15, 515–517 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Isbell, T., Cermak, S.: Synthesis of triglyceride estolides from Lesquerella and castor oils. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 79, 1227–1233 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Cermak, S., Kendra, B., Isbell, T.: Synthesis and physical properties of estolides from Lesquerella and castor fatty acid esters. Ind. Crops Prod. 23, 54–64 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Bredsguard, J.W., Thompson, T.D., Cermak, S.C., Isbell, T.A.: Estolides: bioderived synthetic base oils. In: Sharma, B.K., Biresaw, G. (eds.) Environmentally Friendly and Biobased Lubricants, pp. 35–49. CRC Press, Boca Raton (2016)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  20. Biosynthetic Technologies: Biosynthetic Base Oil (2017). http://biosynthetic.com/biosynthetic-base-oil/. Accessed 21 Dec 2017

  21. Joassard, A., Kupiec, D.: New base oils for the aluminum industry: moving along the vegetable road. In: STLE 71st Annual Meeting and Exhibition. Program Guide and Schedule, p. 115 (2016)

  22. Candelaria, K.: Advonex Aims for Biobased Lube Production. Lube Report, 5 October 2016 (2017). http://pubs.lubesngreases.com/lubereport/16_40/bio-synthetics/-11119-1.html. Accessed 23 Jan 2017

  23. Joshi, C.H., Gibson, G.T.T., Malvich, D., Horner, M.G.: High productivity Kolbe reaction process for transformation of fatty acids derived from plant oil and animal fat. US Patent 8,961,775 B2, 24 Feb 2015

  24. Brown, J., Hahn, H., Vettel, P., Wells, J.: Farnesene-derived base oils. In: Sharma, B.K., Biresaw, G. (eds.) Environmentally Friendly and Biobased Lubricants, pp. 3–34. CRC Press, Boca Raton (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Novvi: NovaSpec™ Base Oils. http://novvi.com/novaspec-base-oils/. Accessed 21 Dec 2017

  26. Moon, M.: Novel ester-functionalized HV PAO base stock for advanced lubricant formulations. TLT 73, 72–74 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Havelka, K.O., Gerhardt, G.E.: From biorefinery to performance technology: transforming renewable olefinic building blocks into lubricants and other high-value products. ACS Symp. Ser. 1192, 201–222 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Elevance Renewable Sciences: Technology. https://elevance.com/technology/. Accessed 22 Dec 2017

  29. A.O.C.S. Official: Method Te 2a-64, Acid Value, p. 1 (1997)

  30. ASTM D7042-11a: Standard test method for dynamic viscosity and density of liquids by Stabinger viscometer (and the calculation of kinematic viscosity). In: Annual Book of ASTM Standards 05.04, pp. 186–193. American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken (2012)

  31. ASTM D2270-93: Standard practice for calculating viscosity index from kinematic viscosity at 40 and 100 °C. In: Annual Book of ASTM Standards, 05.01, pp. 849–854. American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken (2012)

  32. ASTM D6186-08: Standard test method for oxidation induction time of lubricating oils by pressure differential scanning calorimetry (PDSC). In: Annual Book of ASTM Standards, 05.03, pp. 52–56. American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken (2012)

  33. Biresaw, G., Laszlo, J.A., Evans, K.O., Compton, D.L., Bantchev, G.B.: Synthesis and tribological investigation of lipoyl glycerides. J. Agric. Food Chem. 62, 2233–2243 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. ASTM D4172-94. Standard test method for wear preventive characteristics of lubricating fluid (four-ball method). In: Annual Book of ASTM Standards, 05.02, pp. 752–756. American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken (2002)

  35. Biresaw, G., Bantchev, G.B.: Tribological properties of biobased ester phosphonates. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 90, 891–902 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. ASTM D5183-95: Standard test method for determination of the coefficient of friction of lubricants using the Four-Ball wear test machine. In: Annual Book of ASTM Standards, 05.03, pp. 165–169. American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken (2002)

  37. Biresaw, G., Bantchev, G., Murray, R.: Investigation of biobased and petroleum base oils in the entire spectrum of lubrication regimes. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 94, 1197–1208 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Biresaw, G.: Elastohydrodynamic properties of seed oils. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 83, 559–566 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Biresaw, G., Bantchev, G.: Elastohydrodynamic (EHD) traction properties of seed oils. Tribol. Trans. 53, 573–583 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Johnston, G.J., Wayte, R., Spikes, H.A.: The measurement and study of very thin lubricant films in concentrated contacts. Tribol. Trans. 34, 187 (1991)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Rudnick, L.S., Shubkin, R.L.: Poly(α-olefins). In: Rudnick, L.S., Shubkin, R.L. (eds.) Synthetic Lubricants and High-Performance Functional Fluids, 2nd edn, pp. 3–52. Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York (1999)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  42. Noor, M.A.M., Sendijarevic, V., Hoong, S.S., Sendijarevic, I., Ismail, T.N.M.T., Hanzah, N.A., Noor, N.M., Palam, K.D.P., Ghazali, R., Hassan, H.A.: Molecular weight determination of palm olein by gel permeation chromatography using polyether polyols calibration. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 93, 721–730 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Anon: Product Datasheet, SpectraSyn 40, pp. 1–2. ExxonMobil (2009)

  44. Hamrock, B.T., Dowson, D.: Ball Bearing Lubrication: The Elastohydrodynamics of Elliptical Surfaces. Wiley, New York (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  45. Biresaw, G., Bantchev, G.B.: Pressure viscosity coefficient of vegetable oils. Tribol. Lett. 49, 501 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Jones, W.R., Johnson, R.L., Winer, W.O., Sanborn, D.M.: Pressure viscosity measurements for several lubricants to 5.5 × 108 Newtons per square meter (8 × 104 PSI) and 149 °C (300 °F). ASLE Trans. 18, 249 (1975)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Bair, S.: The high pressure rheology of some simple model hydrocarbons. Proc. Inst Mech. Eng. J 216, 139–149 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Cooper, D., Moore, A.J.: Application of the ultra-thin elastohydrodynamic oil film thickness technique to the study of automotive engine oils. Wear 175, 93 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Gunsel, S., Korcek, S., Smeeth, M., Spikes, H.A.: The elastohydrodynamic friction and film forming properties of lubricant base oils. Tribol. Trans. 42, 559 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. So, B.Y.C., Klaus, E.E.: Viscosity–pressure correlation of liquids. ASLE Trans. 23, 409 (1980)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Wu, C.S., Klaus, E.E., Duda, J.L.: Development of a method for the prediction of pressure–viscosity coefficients of lubricating oils based on free-volume theory. Trans. ASME J. Tribol. 111, 121 (1989)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Johnston, W.G.: A method to calculate the pressure–viscosity coefficient from bulk properties of lubricants. ASLE Trans. 24, 232 (1981)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Bair, S.: Personal communication (2013)

  54. ASTM D974: Standard test method for acid and base number by color-indicator titration. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, 05.01, pp. 382–388. American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken (2012)

Download references

Acknowledgements

The author thanks Elevance Renewables, LLC, for providing free samples of the biobased and petroleum-based PAOs used in this study. The author is grateful for the technical help from Ms. Linda Cao, Ms. Amber Durham, Mr. Dan Knetzer, Mr. Kevin Steidley, and Dr. Karl Vermillion.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bio-Oils Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1815 N. University Street, Peoria, IL, 61604, USA

    Girma Biresaw

Authors
  1. Girma Biresaw
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Girma Biresaw.

Additional information

Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of 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.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Biresaw, G. Biobased Polyalphaolefin Base Oil: Chemical, Physical, and Tribological Properties. Tribol Lett 66, 76 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11249-018-1027-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11249-018-1027-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation