Experimental evaluation of palm oil as lubricant in cold forward extrusion process

Today, vegetable oil is much desired for its application as a lubricant in metal forming processes, because it is a renewable resource and has high biodegradability compared to mineral oil. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development for the European Union 301C (OECD) testing method, the biodegradability levels of vegetable oils are better compared to petroleum-based lubricants. Palm oil is used more often than other vegetable oils. Therefore, palm oil has the potential to fulfill the demand for vegetable-based lubricants. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the viability of palm oil when used as a lubricant in cold work such as the forward plane strain extrusion process. The performances of palm oil were compared with additive-free paraffinic mineral oil. Experimental work with a plane strain extrusion apparatus with a symmetrical workpiece was carried out at room temperature. The material of the workpiece is annealed pure aluminum A1100. The visioplasticity method was used to calculate the velocities and effective strain in the deformation zone of the workpiece. The results obtained from the experimental work showed that palm oil has satisfactory lubrication performances, as compared to paraffinic mineral oil, and has advantages in reducing the extrusion load.

► Performances of palm oil were compared with paraffinic mineral oil as cold extrusion lubricant.
► Experimental works were done using plane strain extrusion apparatus, at room temperature.
► Billet is aluminum and the analytical results were calculated using the visioplasticity method.
► Results conclude that palm oil has advantages in reducing load.
► Palm oil shows satisfactory lubrication performances, as compared to paraffinic mineral oil.