Study on characteristics of calophyllum inophyllum oil as a new alternative cutting fluid

Nyamplung tree or calophyllum inophyllum is widely spread and plentiful in Indonesia. Its seed is rich of oil (65-75% oil content) and potentially developed as non-edible oil. However, in fact it is not commercially yet. At the moment, some research has been carried out by using its oil for biodiesel, basic ingredients for soap, beauty products and medicines. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the feasibility of calophyllum inophyllum oil for cutting fluids. Previously, some vegetable cutting oils have been tried and they are potentially succeed as a replacing mineral oil. Previously, some vegetable cutting oils have been tried and they are potentially succeed for replacing mineral based ones. The calophyllum inophyllum oil is made from their seed in several steps: (i) drying for 4-6 hours, (ii) milling, (iii) drying with oven temperature of 65°C for 21 days, (iv) pressing in a press machine, (v) extraction mechanically and then (vi) separation by washing in a-4000 rpm centrifugal machine for 30 minutes. The examined characteristics are viscosity, flash point, and pour point. The test methods that used for each physical properties are in accordance with standards ASTM D445-04 and ASTM D 2270, ASTM D 93-02a, ASTM D 97-05 respectively. The observation results showed the characteristics of the oil are (i) viscosity of 58,887 cSt (at 40°C) and of 11,879 cSt (at 100°C), (ii) flash point of 104°C, (iii) pour point 176°C. If compared to mineral cutting fluids, the physical characteristics of calophyllum inophyllum oil are not much different. It implies that calophyllum inophyllum oil can be used as a new environmentally friendly cutting fluid. The utilization of calophyllum inophyllum oil for cutting fluids will be able to elevate the economic potential of the society.