Effects of Chlorinated Paraffin and ZDDP Concentrations on Boundary Lubrication Properties of Mineral and Soybean Oils

Concentration effects of chlorinated paraffin and zinc di-ethylhexyl dithio phosphate on boundary lubrication properties were tested in vegetable and mineral base stocks. Solvent refined low sulfur paraffinic mineral oil (150 N oil) and conventional food grade soybean oil (soy oil) with EP additive concentration of 0-20% (w/w) were used in ASTM D2783 four-ball extreme pressure (4-ball EP) and Twist Compression Tribotests (TCT). Weld points in 4-ball EP and times to failure in TCT at 200 MPa showed that 150 N oil needed more than double treat levels of EP additives to achieve similar boundary lubrication performance as their 5% blends in soy oil. Also, incorporation of 20% soy oil into 150 N oil-based EP additive blends improved the performance to nearly the same level as soy oil only blends of corresponding additives. Boundary lubricity of some soy oil samples was similar to that of a commercial straight oil chlorinated metal forming lubricant. Several suggestions are provided to explain such pronounced influence of the base stock type on EP additive response. The findings suggest that soy oil and other farm-based oils may provide strategies for formulating cost effective industrial fluids and other lubricants.