Biodegradable oils are used extensively because they are degradable without leaving much residue and affecting the environment and also because they are non-toxic. However, most of them do have multiple disadvantages e.g. oxidation stability, hydrolytic stability, viscosity with regard to temperature differences, antiwar protection, and cost factors. After taking all of these into consideration, the manufacturer will decide on whether to manufacture biodegradable oil or not.
The two main classes of biodegradable oils are vegetable oils and synthetics. But, manufacturers provide little or no information regarding its production and whether they can be used in machines as lubricants. To throw more light on these oils, let us look at each class in detail:
1. Vegetable oils are obtained from corn, soybean, sunflower, groundnuts, olives and rapeseed. These consist primarily of triglyceride molecular structures in their natural form. They have good lubricating qualities which are due to their polar nature and provide good metal wetting attraction. They can also be used as good solvents to keep out dirt and debris from surfaces made of metal. Good viscosity is also present. Modifications to their general molecular structure have resulted in overcoming most of the thermal and oxidative stability problems. They will, however, have limits to their performance e.g. temperatures that are above 80 degrees centigrade, poor thermal, hydrolytic and oxidation stability etc. Besides, the addition of miniscule amounts of water, even a few hundred parts per million is not tolerated by these biodegradable oils obtained from vegetables and causes foaming and rapid degradation.
These products are ideal as applications in sawmill blades or chain drives where low toxicity is required. They can also be used a low to medium pressure air compressor oil in devices that use hydraulic pressure or even for those devices, whose temperature will not exceed 60 degree Centigrade. If there is a threat of contamination, the filters have to be replaced frequently. If used in the gear box of a vehicle, it has to be flushed thoroughly to remove debris, sludge and silt before applying the lubricants based on biodegradable oil from vegetables.
2. Synthetic biodegradable oils that are available today are:
a. Polyalphaolefins that show wonderful low-temperature properties.
b. Diesters that have good antioxidation characteristics and can seal well.
c. Polyglucols are water soluble and insoluble. The former is ideal as a fire resistant lubricant. If used as gear oil, there is a huge disadvantage as they have a tendency to emulsify water and cause foaming, sludge and corrosion.
These air compressor oils are excellent lubricants for turbines and compressors. However, to make them more effective, it would be advisable that all paint or varnish from the surface that will be in close contact with these oils be removed; otherwise there may an adverse reaction due to their exceptional solvency and ability to act as a detergent.
The two main classes of biodegradable oils are vegetable oils and synthetics. But, manufacturers provide little or no information regarding its production and whether they can be used in machines as lubricants. To throw more light on these oils, let us look at each class in detail:
1. Vegetable oils are obtained from corn, soybean, sunflower, groundnuts, olives and rapeseed. These consist primarily of triglyceride molecular structures in their natural form. They have good lubricating qualities which are due to their polar nature and provide good metal wetting attraction. They can also be used as good solvents to keep out dirt and debris from surfaces made of metal. Good viscosity is also present. Modifications to their general molecular structure have resulted in overcoming most of the thermal and oxidative stability problems. They will, however, have limits to their performance e.g. temperatures that are above 80 degrees centigrade, poor thermal, hydrolytic and oxidation stability etc. Besides, the addition of miniscule amounts of water, even a few hundred parts per million is not tolerated by these biodegradable oils obtained from vegetables and causes foaming and rapid degradation.
These products are ideal as applications in sawmill blades or chain drives where low toxicity is required. They can also be used a low to medium pressure air compressor oil in devices that use hydraulic pressure or even for those devices, whose temperature will not exceed 60 degree Centigrade. If there is a threat of contamination, the filters have to be replaced frequently. If used in the gear box of a vehicle, it has to be flushed thoroughly to remove debris, sludge and silt before applying the lubricants based on biodegradable oil from vegetables.
2. Synthetic biodegradable oils that are available today are:
a. Polyalphaolefins that show wonderful low-temperature properties.
b. Diesters that have good antioxidation characteristics and can seal well.
c. Polyglucols are water soluble and insoluble. The former is ideal as a fire resistant lubricant. If used as gear oil, there is a huge disadvantage as they have a tendency to emulsify water and cause foaming, sludge and corrosion.
These air compressor oils are excellent lubricants for turbines and compressors. However, to make them more effective, it would be advisable that all paint or varnish from the surface that will be in close contact with these oils be removed; otherwise there may an adverse reaction due to their exceptional solvency and ability to act as a detergent.
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