Investigation of Raw Materials for Sulfurized Vegetable Oil Based Lubricant Additives

Abstract Extreme Pressure (EP) additives are commonly used in lubricants to reduce wear and prevent seizures at high temperature and pressure. In terms of their mechanism, these build up a film on the surface with chemisorption. This film efficiently prevents metal-metal adhesion. Industrial statistics show that extreme pressure additives are mostly used in metalworking fluids, lubricating greases and engine oils. Sulfurized vegetable oils can be used as EP additives of lubricants. This type of EP additive is ashless, derived from renewable sources and have a lesser negative effect on the environment compared to those that are not derived from vegetable sources. To determine the appropriate vegetable oils to be used as the raw material of EP additives, the structure of triglycerides, cost-effectiveness and availability aspects must be considered. Results of experiments show that rapeseed oil and soybean oil best meet this criteria system.