Performance of polymeric viscosity improver as bio-lubricant additives

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of polymeric viscosity improver on the tribological performance of palm kernel methyl ester (PKME). Design/methodology/approach Tribological performances of the PKME added with the various concentration of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) were evaluated using four-ball tribotester under extreme pressure condition. The morphologies of the worn surfaces were observed by using the optical microscope. Findings The addition of polymeric viscosity improver (EVA copolymer) has produced positive results towards the tribological properties of PKME. In total, 4 per cent of EVA copolymer is found as the optimum concentration by improving the friction reducing properties and anti-wear behaviour due to the formation of film thickness between two rubbing surfaces. Originality/value This work might contribute to the development of vegetable oils as a new source of environmental-friendly lubricant.

Fingerprint analysis of FTIR spectra of polymers containing vinyl acetate

The analysis of materials using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy has a unique area called the fingerprint region for each compound. However, this area is almost never discussed because of its complexity due to the large number of signals that appear in it. In this work, the fingerprint region analysis of the ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) with different percentages of vinyl acetate (VA) (18%, 28%, 40%) was performed. In comparison with other instrumental techniques, the crystallinity and structural arrangement of the EVA copolymers were determined simply and economically. The crystallinities for EVA18, EVA28 and EVA40 were 24.39%, 6.95% and1.03%, respectively. In terms of structural ordering, the number of linear chains of EVA copolymer decreases as the concentration of VA increases, which favors the reduction of degrees of freedom and the formation of hydrogen bonds.

Study the rheological properties of waxy oil with modified pour point depressants for the South Turgai oil field in Kazakhstan

This work describes the performance of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) copolymer and modified poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA-M) as pour point reducer. Commercially available EVA copolymer modified with sodium hydroxide in methanol. Partially hydrolyzed EVA was obtained and Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) analysis of the modified EVA was recorded. The modified and unmodified EVA was used to crude oil of South Turgai, Kazakhstan, in order to improve the flowability of the crude oil. According to the rheological behavior of oils in the South Turgai, the findings showed that modified EVA lowered the dynamic viscosity greater compared to unmodified EVA and heat treatment. Dynamic viscosities and yield points of different oils with various temperatures with using EVA and EVA-M were studied systematically. Finally microphotograph of crystal structures two oils with using EVA and EVA-M, under same conditions, were compared and discussed.