Development and Formulation of Silea Butter Based-Semi Solid Lubricant

Abstract

This work investigated the suitability of shea butter as a substitute for base oil derived from crude oil as the major component in the production Qf lubricants. Shea butter was extracted via the use of soxhlet apparatus operated on the principles of solid/liquid indirect extraction from the seeds of shea tree. The extract was fonnulated into semi solid lubricants using simplex lattice design. The shea butter, in addition with other components-thickeners and additives was then used in producing lithium stearate grease. The thickener used was the simple soap- lithium stearate soap. Subsequently, the formulated samples were analysed for their physicochemical characteristics. The results of the analysis of the physicochemical properties of the extracted shea butter showed that it possessed similar values for the' parameters used in classifying 1000 pale oil as one of the 11 grades of the petroleum derived base oil. The dropping point temperatures of the produced samples of grease were found to be in conformity with the NLGI specification (177 - 204°C) for lithium grease. Also, the penetration values and NLGI consistency numbers of the produced samples of grease were found to be in conformity with the ASTM and NLGI specifications. An Analysis of Variance CANOVA) of process variables revealed that temperature, pressure and time affected the consistency of grease samples. The multiple regression analysis of these process variables revealed the extent of the effects of temperature, pressure and time on the consistency, of the grease samples