What Does
Castor Oil Mean?
Castor oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis). It is used as a laxative, lubricant and to make oil-based products such as soap, paint and dye. It is a colorless to a pale yellow colored liquid that has a different taste and smell once consumed.
Corrosionpedia Explains Castor Oil
This vegetable oil is obtained from the castor plant. It is a monosaturated fatty acid with about 90% of the fatty acid chains being ricinoleic acid, 6% oleic acid, 5% linoleic acid and about 1% stearic acid and palmitic acid. Its boiling point is 313 °C (595 °F).
Castor oil is widely used in the food industry for food additives. In the medical industry it is used as a laxative and added to modern pharmaceuticals.
It is an effective corrosion inhibitor owing to its structure, which has a high percentage of fatty acids and ricin and ricinoleic acid content. It is used as an inhibitor for iron and acts as an excellent corrosion inhibitor in its acidic medium. It permits chemical derivatization, which is not seen with most other seed oils.