CASHEW NUT SHELL OIL

Key Properties & Technical Specs

• Physical Characteristics
  Dark viscous oil, miscible with organic solvents but not water. Smells distinctive, unlike typical vegetable oils #Kumar Metal Industries.

• Typical Technical Ranges (Indian and African standards) #Kumar Metal Industries+1kancoindia.com+1:

  • Specific Gravity: 0.950.97

  • Viscosity at 30C: up to 550cP (max)

  • Moisture & Ash: 1%

  • Iodine value: 250

  • Polymerization time (with acid): 4 minutes

• Bioactive Traits
  Exhibits antioxidative, antimicrobial, and corrosion-resistant properties due to its phenolic compounds IntechOpen#Kumar Metal Industries.

Industrial & Commercial Applications

CNSLs unique chemical makeup makes it ideal for various industries:

• Resins & Coatings: Used to create phenolic resins, epoxy resins, laminating resins, and waterresistant coatings paacltd.comCashew Machine#Kumar Metal Industriesrampsindia.com.

• Friction Materials: Key component in manufacturing brake linings, clutch facings, and other friction dust products (e.g., Cashew Friction Dust) tradeKorearampsindia.comCashew Machine.

• Rubber & Polymer Enhancers: Improves resilience, elasticity, oxidation resistance, and processing in rubber compounds rampsindia.comalfilcashew.com.

• Fuel & Bioadditives: As a biofuel or diesel additive, CNSL offers high calorific value (47MJ/kg), low sulfur, and potential engine durability benefitsthough its high viscosity and acidity require careful processing IntechOpenResearchGate.

• Lubricants & Demulsifiers: Modified CNSL derivatives can stabilize lubricants, reduce sludge, and help separate petroleum emulsions rampsindia.comkancoindia.com.

• Agrochemical & Biocide: Its phenolic constituents serve in fungicides, pesticides, surfactants, and wood preservatives IntechOpenrampsindia.com.

Caution: CNSL in Fuel Systems

While promising as a biofuel, there are caveats:

• CNSLs high acidity and reactive phenols can lead to polymerization, causing fuel system issues like sludge, injector clogging, corrosion, and engine damageespecially in marine fuels Gard.

• Several documented cases resulted in machinery failures and costly repairs, with CNSL considered a contaminant not compliant with ISO 8217 marine fuel standards Gard.

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