Study of Vegetable Oil Based Biolubricants and Its Hydrodynamic Journal Bearing Application: A Review

Mineral oil based lubricants are generally used in hydrodynamic journal bearing. These lubricants are toxic, non biodegradable and harmful for the environment. Vegetable oil being biodegradable and non-toxic has emerged as an alternative lubricant. This paper reviews recent researches related to biodegradable, environment friendly vegetable oil based lubricant and its application in hydrodynamic journal bearing. Important physicochemical properties of biolubricant for hydrodynamic journal bearing have also been discussed in the paper. Challenges relating to the usage of vegetable oil based biolubricant along with available mitigation strategies are also highlighted. Based on the study it can be concluded that chemically modified vegetable oil along with properly selected additives can effectively replace conventional lubricants.