NEW FORMULATIONS FOR HYDRAULIC BIOLUBRICANTS BASED ON EPOXIDIZED VEGETABLE OILS: PASSION FRUIT (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Degener) AND MORINGA (Moringa oleifera Lamarck)

The aim of this work is to develop new biolubricants based on epoxidized vegetable oils, optimizing formulations with an additive package by experimental design. A 2³ factorial design with center points was used to determine optimal conditions for anti-wear, corrosion inhibition, extreme pressure, and antioxidants to be applied with formulations with epoxidized passion fruit and moringa oils. The lubricants obtained were characterized in accordance with DIN 51524 (Part 2 HLP) and DIN 51517 (Part 3 CLP) standards. The epoxidation process improved the oxidative stability and the acid value of both pure vegetable oils. Furthermore, the presence of epoxidized oils improved the solubilisation of the additives, increasing the fluids' performances. Regarding their suitability as lubricants, epoxidized moringa oil with additives presented the best results, followed by epoxidized passion fruit oil with additives, epoxidized moringa oil, epoxidized passion fruit oil, pure moringa oil and, finally, pure passion fruit oil.