Property blending relationships for binary mixtures of mineral oil and elektrionised vegetable oil: viscosity, solvent power, and seal compatibility index

The present study provides quantitative data on the physicochemical properties of binary mixtures of a special class of bio‐based lubricity additives — elektrionised vegetable oils — with various classes of mineral base oils. A specific emphasis is placed upon viscosity blending relationships, solubility and seal compatibility. Experimental data are rationalised using appropriate theoretical models, which can be readily applied to property blending practice. It is shown that For elektrionised vegetable oil/mineral oil binary systems, viscosity blending calculations can be guided by using Roegiers or Grunberg–Nissan blending equations. The Roegiers equation works especially well for systems showing large deviation from ideal behaviour. Elektrionised vegetable oils can be used as mild solvency improvers for non‐conventional base oils produced by hydrocracking and isodewaxing technology or through gas‐to‐liquid conversion, Elektrion C (Elektrion s.a., Bruxelles, Belgium) being a more potent solvency improver than Elektrion R. Elektrionised vegetable oils demonstrate good seal compatibility in combination with various mineral basestocks. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.