Factor Analysis-Based Selection of <i>Xanthoceras sorbifolia</i> Bunge Oil as a Promising Bio-Based Lubricant

Abstract With increasing environmental awareness, the demand for bio-based lubricants is escalating, positioning vegetable oils as viable alternatives to traditional industrial lubricants. This study employs comprehensive factor scores to assess and rank the antiwear property and oxidation stability of 53 vegetable oils with diverse fatty acid compositions. Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge oil (XSBO), derived from woody oil plants renowned for their economic and environmental benefits, emerges as a standout candidate following the exclusion of previously reported lubricant types. Comparative evaluations via four-ball friction tests and pressurized differential scanning calorimeter (PDSC) analyses reveal that XSBO’s antioxidant property is slightly inferior to the mineral oil, poly-alpha-olefin, and synthetic ester. However, XSBO exhibits superior tribological property and viscosity characteristics. Supported by computational modeling and laboratory validation, XSBO demonstrates significant promise as a bio-based lubricant, advocating its potential as an ideal replacement for conventional base oils.