Influence of thermo-oxidative degradation on the biodegradability of lubricant base oils

✍ Scribed by Beran, Elżbieta ;Łoś, Magdalena ;Kmiecik, Aleksandra

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2008
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 205 KB
• Volume: 25
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0265-6582
• DOI: 10.1002/jsl.52

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

The paper addresses the problem of how the thermo‐oxidative changes in the chemical structure influence the biodegradability of lubricating base oils. The tests were conducted using synthetic polyolesters, polyalphaolefins (PAO 4) and blended polyolesters with 30 wt % of PAO 4. Oil biodegradability was evaluated in accordance with the International Standards Organization (ISO) 14593 test. The thermo‐oxidative degradation consisted of a 24‐hour exposure of the oil samples to the temperature of 150°C in a universal test apparatus at an air flow rate of 15 L/hour. The results have revealed that the thermo‐oxidative degradation of the chemical structure produces changes in the physico‐chemical properties of the base oils and improves biodegradability. The polyolester oils tested were found to be readily biodegradable both before and after thermo‐oxidative tests. PAO 4 oil and its blends with polyolester oils could not be classified as readily biodegradable. The thermo‐oxidative changes in their chemical structures can exert a positive effect on their biodegradability. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.