Grease formulation and characterization from waste automotive engine oil with the use of complex thickener

Waste engine oil one of the most abundant wastes in Malaysia, and through the reutilization of waste automotive engine oil helps to create a sustainable environment. The objective of this research is to develop the best formulation of lithium complex grease derived from waste automotive engine oil as base oil. The main focused parameter in this study is the different formulation ratio of base oil, thickener and co-thickener. Lithium 12-hydroxystearate is mixed with azelaic acid to produce lithium complex 12-hydroxystearate. Two different type of base oils, i.e. fresh automotive engine oil (FAO) and waste automotive engine oil (WEO) are used to formulate Li-complex grease. The grease derived from FAO is used to compare the physical properties derived from WEO. The texture of the formulation of base oil higher than 82 weight percentage was very fluid. The formulation of grease is carried out by differencing the ratio of the waste automotive engine oil, lithium complex 12-hydroxystearate and azelaic acid, which are 82:18, 80:20 and 70:30. The properties of the grease formulated is conducted through several tests, such as ASTM approach, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) characterization, oil separation and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Such interesting properties included consistency, chemical compound of the grease, oil separation and thermal stability. Based on the finding, the best formulated Li-complex grease is WG3, classified NLGI 3. The significant peak derived from FAO and WEO to observe is 1710 cm−1 as this peak indicated the oxidation stability. From the result, the intensity of carboxylic acid is weak that ranged 1709 – 1711 cm−1. Hence, this indicated the grease formulated exhibited better oxidation stability. Furthermore, the formulated grease was thermally stable as the onset temperature was 250.09 °C. In conclusion, the formulation of Li-complex from WEO can be used as an alternative source of base oil in the grease industry, due to the good properties exhibition and preserving the environment as well as the increment of fossil fuel’s demand and cost.

Sustainable lubrication: low molecular weight PTFE micro-particles as extreme pressure additives for heavy duty grease applications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to formulate heavy-duty lithium complex grease using low molecular weight poly tetra fluoro ethylene (PTFE) micro-particles as extreme pressure (EP) additive manufactured by E-beam scissoring and ultra-high speed grinding process of pre-sintered PTFE scrap. Design/methodology/approach Lithium complex grease is formulated with PTFE micro-particles, and optimum treat rate was studied by standard bench tests by ASTM D 2266 and IP-239 for tribological properties and compared with commercially available Molybdenum Di sulphide (Moly)-based lithium complex grease. The performance of the grease was further evaluated by a cyclic load test at varying speeds and loads to simulate the operational field conditions. Findings The lithium complex PTFE grease was manufactured using PTFE micro-particles as EP additive. The PTFE micro-particles dispersed in the lithium complex grease significantly improve the anti-wear performance and load bearing properties. Further, when the product was tested under a cyclic load conditions on standard tribological bench test against commercially available Moly lithium complex grease, shows stable anti-wear properties and reduced coefficient of friction. Originality/value The low molecular weight PTFE micro-particles, manufactured in the in-house electron beam (E-beam) and ultra-high speed micronizer facility from a pre-sintered PTFE scrap has been used as EP additive for grease applications for the first time. The results on the cyclic load tests indicate significant performance improvement in retaining the anti-wear and friction properties. Thus, value addition is done in formulating superior performance grease and evaluating under cyclic load conditions similar to field operating conditions and also in creating value added additives by converting the pre-sintered PTFE scarp which is environmental hazard due to poor biodegradability, creating a cyclic economy and a sustainable concept.

A Monomeric (Trimethylsilyl)methyl Lithium Complex: Synthesis, Structure, Decomposition and Preliminary Reactivity Studies New Talent: Europe themed issue of Dalton Transactions

Monomeric organolithium (LiR) complexes could provide enhanced Li–C bond reactivity and suggest mechanisms for a plethora of LiR-mediated reactions. They are highly sought-after but remain a synthetic challenge for organometallic...

Synthesis of tris(3-pyridyl)aluminate ligand and its unexpected stability against hydrolysis: revealing cooperativity effects in heterobimetallic pyridyl aluminates

We report the elusive metallic anion [EtAl(3-py)3]- (3-py = 3-pyridyl) (1), the first member of the anionic tris(3-pyridyl) family. Unexpectedly, the lithium complex 1Li shows substantial protic stability against water...