Obtaining a biodegradable lubricant by ethyl epoxidation of sunflower oil

Abstract

Lubricating oils, derived from petroleum, play a crucial role in the industrial landscape, aiming to reduce wear resulting from friction between metal parts. Predominantly, mineral lubricants constitute the most widespread commercial choice globally, representing an intricate composition of paraffinic, olefinic, naphthenic and aromatic hydrocarbons, containing between 20 and 50 carbon atoms. This complex mixture results from the combination of two main components: the base oil, extracted in the petroleum refining process, and the chemical additives, responsible for altering, preserving and intensifying the physical and chemical properties of the product. Although they exhibit greater oxidation stability and a more affordable cost compared to other lubricants, mineral lubricants also stand out for their low biodegradability, in addition to releasing toxic materials into the environment (Karmakar et al., 2017).