Lubricant formulations containing extreme pressure agents

Abstract

A method for improving the solubility of a sulfurized extreme pressure agent in a lubricant composition and improved lubricant compositions and uses therefor. The method includes pre-blending organic acid and amine components of a lubricant additive package for the lubricant composition to provide a premixture of organic acid and amine components. The premixture is combined with a sulfurized extreme pressure agent having a viscosity of less than about 5.5 centistokes at 100° C. to provide a lubricant additive package. By use of the foregoing process, a turbidity characteristic of the lubricant composition containing the additive package is lower than a turbidity characteristic of a lubricant composition that is made by combining the organic acid and amine components with the sulfurized extreme pressure agent in the absence of the premixture.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE [0001] The disclosure relates to lubricant formulations and in particular to lubricant formulations having enhanced stability and to methods for making lubricants having improved properties. BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY [0002] Lubricants may be formulated to contain extreme pressure agents for use in particular applications. A wide variety of extreme pressure agents exist. Particularly useful extreme pressure agents are those containing sulfur. However, sulfuirized extreme pressure agents are often difficult to handle, highly odiferous, expensive, or require the presence of compatibilizing components when used in lubricant formulations. [0003] Accordingly, there continues to be a need for improved lubricant formulations containing extreme pressure components. [0004] With regard to the foregoing, a method for improving the solubility of a sulfurized extreme pressure agent in a lubricant composition and improved lubricant compositions and uses therefor are provided. ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004] With regard to the foregoing, a method for improving the solubility of a sulfurized extreme pressure agent in a lubricant composition and improved lubricant compositions and uses therefor are provided. The method includes pre-blending organic acid and amine components of a lubricant additive package for the lubricant composition to provide a premixture of organic acid and amine components. The premixture is combined with a sulfurized extreme pressure agent having a viscosity of less than about 5.5 centistokes at 100° C. to provide a lubricant additive package. By use of the foregoing process, a turbidity characteristic of the lubricant composition containing the additive package is lower than a turbidity characteristic of a lubricant composition that is made by combining the organic acid and amine components with the sulfurized extreme pressure agent in the absence of the premixture.

[0007] An advantage of exemplary embodiments described herein is that difficult to solubilize additive components are made more soluble in finished lubricant compositions without the need for solubilizing agents or more expensive extreme pressure agents. Accordingly, solubilizing agents may be eliminated and / or less expensive components may be substituted for more expensive components. In particular, it has been found, quite surprisingly, that combining sulfurized extreme pressure agents having a relatively low viscosity with other components of an additive concentrate for a gear lubricant after combining organic acid and amine components substantially increases the solubility of the components in a finished lubricant composition.

Problems solved by technology

However, sulfuirized extreme pressure agents are often difficult to handle, highly odiferous, expensive, or require the presence of compatibilizing components when used in lubricant formulations.

In particular, it has been found, quite surprisingly, that combining sulfurized extreme pressure agents having a relatively low viscosity with other components of an additive concentrate for a gear lubricant after combining organic acid and amine components substantially increases the solubility of the components in a finished lubricant composition.

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