Palm based oleochemicals are suitable to be used as feedstock to produce a base oil lubricant (Yeong et al., 2010). Palm oil possesses good inherent properties, which are desirable for lubricants, but it is limited by its poor low temperature fluidity. Palm oil properties can be improved in the areas of processing technology. The ideal oil for lubricant must have a high level of monounsaturated but low levels of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (Harold, 1997). In view of that, the development of specialty esters using palm-based material was further investigated. Palm-based esters are molecules similar to natural oils, but exhibit a much better thermal, oxidative and hydrolytic stability as well as cold temperature fluidity without sacrificing much of its good properties as lubricant.

Main Researcher: Zulina Abdul Maurad
Email: zulina@mpob.gov.my