Tribological performance of modified RBD Palm Olein as cutting fluids for metal cutting process

What is it about?

The use of vegetable oils as metal cutting fluids is one way to replace petroleum-based oil and implement manufacturing sustainability. Palm oils are used in this study as metalworking fluids. In this study, cooking oil (refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) palm olein) has been formulated into various properties of palm oil-based lubricants (MRPO) by chemical modification process. The lubrication and tribological performance of the MRPOs are compared with synthetic ester through various physical and chemical tests. The results observed that MRPO have outstanding performance in lubrication and tribological behavior. MRPO2 recorded the highest viscosity index and the lowest coefficient of friction which are 496 and 0.06, respectively. MRPO2 showed to be an alternative biodegradable cutting fluid in promoting sustainable manufacturing activities by reducing the bad impact on environment and health.

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Why is it important?

The use of vegetable oils as metalworking fluids is one way to implement manufacturing sustainability. Palm oils are commonly used as cooking oils. Further, palm oil is also the main oil sources in Southeast Asia besides petroleum. Therefore, the potential use of palm oil as a functional lubricant for future replacement of petroleum-based oil is indeed important.

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