Formulation of new biodegradable lubricating greases using ethylated cellulose pulp as thickener agent

The influence of cellulose pulp ethylation processing conditions has been evaluated to design suitable renewable and biodegradable lubricating greases from cellulose pulp-based gel-like dispersions. Ethyl/glucose molar ratio (E/G) has a positive effect on the ethyl groups degree of substitution (DS). Gel-like biodegradable dispersions of cellulose pulp in castor oil have been prepared by adding ethylated cellulose samples differing in the substitution degree to modify the rheological properties of castor oil. The rheology of ethyl cellulose/castor oil binary systems is highly influenced by DS. The linear viscoelastic functions and consistency are very similar to those found in traditional lithium lubricating greases. (C) 2011 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.