Synthesis and Performance Evaluation of Castor Oil-Styrene Co-Polymer: An Outstanding Multipurpose Directional Lubricant Additive

Polymer and chemical industries are actively concentrating on the discovery and application of vegetable oils for polymer composites. In this work, castor oil homopolymers and their copolymers with styrene were made, as well as their assessment was done by spectroscopic methodology, thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), and gel permeation chromatographic (GPC) strategy. The ASTM standard approach was employed to determine these polymers' efficiency in base oil. Photo-micrographic imaging was utilized to assess the efficacy of additives as pour point depressants by examining their impact on the microstructure. The biodegradability experiment for polymers was also conducted and outcomes are quite promising. Their performance comparisons have been further assessed and reported.