| abstract |
Certain hydrogenated oligomers of 1-alkene hydrocarbons have been found to be substantially biodegradable upon exposure to microbiological agents of types widely available in the environment. Thus, in an operation wherein lubricating oil or functional fluid is released into the environment, there is provided for use as the lubricating oil or functional fluid a substantially biodegradable lubricating oil or functional fluid at least 10 percent by volume of which is composed of at least one substantially biodegradable liquid hydrocarbon of lubricating viscosity formed by oligomerisation of 1-alkene hydrocarbon having 6 to 20 carbon atoms in the molecule and hydrogenation of the resultant oligomer. |