Green Lubricants and Carrier Oils

The increasing prices of mineral oils mean that the substitution of mineral oils by fatty acid esters is becoming economically viable. This applies especially to the lubricant sector, where rising economic competitiveness on the one hand and ecological safety on the other have helped biogenic lubricants achieve the 

Esters of saturated, long-chain fatty acids with long-chain fatty alcohols, such as stearyl stearate, have a waxy characteristic. These waxes develop lubricating effects in plastics processing which means they prevent friction between plastic molecules and thus permit faster transport of the molten plastic mass through the processing machines (internal lubrication). At the same time they reduce the friction of the molten plastic with the surrounding machine parts (external lubrication). 

In industrial applications liquid fatty acid esters are well known as plasticizers for pyroxyline varnishes and as secondary plasticizers for PVC. They are used as thinners and carrier oils and have become established as green solvents (see Chapter 10) for printing inks (Table 9.1.9) and for industrial surface cleaning due to their low volatility, environmental compatibility and contribution to work hygiene and industrial safety.  

As green carrier oils or solvents - together with green surfactants - they also play a key role as inerts , i.e. non-active, inert formulation aids in modern crop protection, such as pesticide microemulsions or emulsifiable concentrates. Besides fatty acid esters, certain liquid fatty acid amides, more particularly capryl dimethylamide, are also increasingly creating interest as green solvents and carrier oils. 

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