Biogrease Based on Palm Oil and Lithium Soap Thickener: Evaluation of Antiwear Property

An environmental friendly palm-grease has already been formulated from modified RBDPO (Refined Bleach Deodorized Palm Oil) as base oil and lithium soap as thickener. Such palm-grease is dedicated for general application and or equipment working in areas where biodegradability is required such as in agriculture, forestry and coastal marine, recreation areas. The grease was manufactured via 4 steps of processes: saponification in pressurized reactor, soap dilution by heating, re-crystallization by cooling and homogenization. The result of lubrication performance tests using 4-ball wear-test showed that the amount of wear on ball specimen was smaller in test with the palmgrease than the test with mineral (HVI 160S) grease. This ability of the palm-grease to provide better surface protection or antiwear property was considered as the existence of relatively polar groups in base oil such as ester -COOC-, hydroxides –OH and oxirane ring (epoxy) -COC-.