Study on physicochemical, rheological and oxidative properties of RSO with suitable additives

Mineral oils and their derivatives are being consumed in an exponential rate as of now and they can be relied upon for a decade at the maximum. Commercial oils possess the required characteristics of a lubricant, but lacks in its environmental acceptability and economic impacts. Bio-lubricants are in a rise to be an alternative to these commercial oils. Oils from renewable sources such as vegetable oils are in need to be formulated. Among the base stock for bio-lubricants, Rubber seed oil showed to be of great importance, as it contains high amount of unsaturated fatty acids. Rubber seed abundantly found in Kerala is processed into oil and was made to undergo tests on Physico-chemical properties. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, both Proton and Carbon was done, so as to authenticate the oil is made from rubber seed. Fatty acid profile of rubber seed oil was obtained by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy, and compared against the standard values. Other tests including Acid value, Iodine value, Saponification value and Corrosive stability was conducted thrice and the average was calculated. Limiting factors of rubber seed oil included its low temperature properties, high acid value and low viscosities. Additives are added in various compositions to improve these properties of the oil. Study was conducted on how the rheological property and oxidative stability varies with addition of Rice bran oil, Curcumin and Ascorbyl palmitate in various proportions. The optimum concentration of the additive was selected and final formulation was tested. The results showed promise in developing Rubber seed oil as a lubricant base stock. The original version of this article supplied to AIP Publishing excluded the acknowledgement section. The missing acknowledgment can be found below: “This research was supported by CERD under the funding scheme KTU/RESEARCH 3/1430/2016. The authors would also like to extend profound gratitude to STIC, CUSAT, CEPC-kollam, NITC for the help in carrying out the experiments.”