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The development of high volume rice husk ash (RHA) alumino silicate composites (ASC) was studied. RHA was used as the source of silica and aluminium in the ASC. The mass ratios of RHA:Al(OH) of 70:30 to 99:1 were tested. The results indicate that the obtained ASC mortars are not stable and disintegrate in water. Boric acid was introduced to the mixture to overcome this problem. Stable ASC mortars with high RHA:Al(OH) mass ratios of 90:10 to 97.5:2.5 were obtained with the use of boric acid and 115°C curing. The compressive strength of the mortar of 20 MPa was gained. The immersion test indicates that high volume RHA ASC mortars show good resistance in 3vol% HSO solution, but is slightly less durable in 5wt% MgSO solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the formulation of estolides from plant seed oils has attracted substantial attention due to their favorable low-temperature properties and environmentally friendly nature. The present research investigates the formulation of canola biodiesel derived estolides for low-temperature applications. The dual-step research method includes ring opening of epoxidized canola biodiesel in the presence of oleic acid, followed by esterification with oleic acid to produce estolides using a mesoporous aluminosilicates possessing Modernite Framework Inverted (MFI) type pentasil structure as a heterogeneous acidic catalyst. Prepared catalyst was characterized to measure the properties essential for the effective catalysis. The catalyst demonstrated promising activity for the estolides formation, >95% conversion was achieved at 110 °C for 6 h using 15 wt % of catalyst loading. 1H NMR technique and oxirane oxygen titrimetric analysis were employed to determine product purity. Physicochemical properties of the reaction products were determined by standard methods and characterization results revealed that the formulated estolides had improved low-temperature, lubricity and rheological properties, and thermo-oxidative stability. Also, biodegradability of the estolides was found to be 92% within 28 days as per the bio-kinetic model. Wear scar diameter of 106 µm was noticed for 10% of alkoxide blend with standard diesel fuel. Overall, outcomes of the physicochemical characterization data indicated that the prepared estolides can act as possible alternative bio-lubricant basestock for various low-temperature applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]