Formulation of Hydraulic Brake Fluid Using Castor oil as a base Stock: Physiochemical Properties of Castor oil and the Hydraulic Fluid

Abstract

Indirect leaching was used to extract castor oil from the castor beans. A hydraulic brake fluid was formulated by mixing the castor oil, solvents and other additives at various proportions using unifactor design approach. Both the castor oil and brake fluid was analysed to determine their physiochemical properties. Results show that the castor oil has high viscosities of 25:29Cst and 19.54Cs at 40°C and 100°C, respectively, specific gravity of 0.927 at 30°C/30°C, acid and saponification values of 3.5 and 1860 respectively. On the other hand, the best fitted formulation (Castor oil, solvent and additives) of hydraulic brake fluid has reduced viscosities of 19.54Cst and 2.33 Cst at 40°C and 100°C respectively. The flash and boiling points were found to be 124.25 and 220.05 respectively.