Effect of Wax Esters as Friction modifiers in petroleum base stock

Abstract

Condensation product of fatty acids and fatty alcohols is termed as wax esters. A series of fatty acids and fatty alcohols both saturated & unsaturated ranging from C 12 to C 22 were synthesised using p-TSA as a catalyst. Carbonyl functionality was confirmed by infrared spectrophotometer. Wax esters were used as friction modifier additives at 1%, 3%, 5% in 150N and 500N commercial petroleum base stocks. These base stocks were characterized by tribological properties like wear scar, weld load and coefficient of friction. All the tribological properties were better for saturated products than the unsaturated ones.