Project Number: 3620-41000-117-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Aug 09, 2004
End Date: Aug 08, 2009

Objective:
Establish different reaction protocols to insert branching and transesterification on triglyceride molecule of vegetable oil for use in the formulation of industrial/automotive lubricants with better lubricity, friction, wear, oxidation and low temperature properties. Such fluids include, but are not restricted to: (a) Bio-based Greases; (b) Synthetic Lubricants/Metalworking Fluids/Gear Oils/Under-carriage Oils; (c) Bio-based Specialty Additives. Investigate and develop economically feasible polymeric products from vegetable oils (with emphasis on soybean oil) and thus, expand their domestic and export markets. These biobased polymeric materials include, but are not restricted to: (a) Soybased composites reinforced with flax fibers; (b) Nanoclay reinforced soybased composites; (c) Polymeric surfactants derived from soybean oil; (d) Soybased hydrogel for controlled delivery system; (e) Energy absorbing materials.

Approach:
Research will focus on establishing different reaction protocols to insert branching and trans-esterification, on triglycerid molecule of soybean oil that will be used in the formulation of biobased grease, synthetic lubricants, metal-working fluids, biobased specialty additives with better lubricity, friction, wear, oxidation and low temperature properties. Research will also utilize the principles of organic chemistry and polymer science to synthesize more reactive soybean oil based monomers. New types of polymers and composites will be developed. Resulting polymers will be used in controlled delivery systems and energy absorbing materials formulations.