Lubrication characteristics of wax esters from oils produced by a genetically-enhanced oilseed crop

In this study, purified by a newly developed method Crambe (Crambe abyssinica) oil wax esters were mixed with conventional Crambe oil to examine the lubrication characteristics of bio-based wax esters and their blends. The Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) results indicate high thermal stability of wax esters and their mixtures which is further supported by observed small viscosity change with temperature increase. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis suggested that chemical modifications induced by heating of the Crambe oil with 15 wt% of wax esters are dominated by the stability of wax esters. Tribology tests revealed that adding 15 wt% wax esters facilitates the noticeable friction reduction and lowers the wear produced in the sliding contact at elevated temperatures.