High temperature biobased lubricant compositions from boron nitride

Abstract

This present invention discloses a method for the preparation of an improved high temperature engine lubricant composition comprising the steps of: 1) providing at least one biobased natural oil or biobased synthetic oil selected from the group consisting of natural or synthetic vegetable oil, natural or synthetic animal oil, genetically modified vegetable oil, genetically modified synthetic vegetable oil, natural or synthetic tree oil, and mixtures thereof; 2) providing at least one boron nitride; and 3) optionally, providing at least one base oil selected from the group consisting of a synthetic ester, solvent refined petroleum oil, a hydrocracked petroleum white oil, an all hydroprocessed synthetic oil, Fischer Tropsch oil, petroleum oil group I, group II, group III, a polyalphaolefin (PAO), and mixtures thereof; 4) optionally, providing at least one additive or combination of additives selected from the group consisting of anti-oxidant(s), corrosion inhibitor(s), metal deactivator(s), viscosity modifier(s), anti-wear inhibitor(s), friction modifier(s), and extreme pressure agent(s); 5) blending 1), 2), 3), and 4) in any sequence to form said composition.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority to a provisional patent application, Ser. No. 60 / 675,126, filed Apr. 26, 2005, entitled HIGH TEMPERATURE BIOBASED LUBRICANT COMPOSITIONS FROM BORON NITRIDE.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to biobased lubricant compositions made from natural and / or synthetic vegetable, animal, plant or tree oil and boron nitride. These compositions provide improved lubricity, anti-wear, and extreme pressure performance at extreme high temperatures up to and over 1000° C. These compositions can be particularly useful in high temperature applications for lubricating combustible engines, ovens, chains, cables, gears, hinge pins, bearings, and sliding surfaces. The lubricant composition can also be formulated into hydraulic fluids, turbine oils, compressor oils, penetrating lubricants, greases, anti-seize compounds, thread compounds, deep drawing compounds, rolling oils, metal working fluids, release agents, and any lubricant that requires antiwea...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020]One aspect of the present invention is to extend the variety and compass of additives and base oils useful for improving the properties of high temperature, environmental, and food-grade-lubricants. The applicant has now discovered that when boron nitrides are formulated into the inventive compositions, the compositions show enhanced lubricity, anti-wear, extreme pressure, and oxidation resistance in extreme high temperatures up to and above 1000° C. In addition, the present invention provides a high dielectric strength that is beneficial in insulating fluids and compounds. These compositions can be particularly useful in high temperature applications for lubricating combustible engines, ovens, chains, cables, gears, hinge pins, bearings, and sliding surfaces. The lubricant composition can also be formulated into hydraulic fluids, turbine oils, compressor oils, penetrants, greases, anti-seize compounds, thread compounds, deep drawing compounds, rolling oils, metal working fluids, release agents, and any lubricant that requires anti-wear and extreme pressure performance. Because of the chemical structure of the lubricant base oil(s) with the boron nitrides these inventive compositions burns relatively free from abrasive hard carbon deposits allowing the boron nitride white powder to remain on the surface to be lubricated. This inventive composition also helps prevent the continuous build up of hard carbon deposits that cause seizing in the contact zone of close tolerant areas, which is a known problem with petroleum hydrocarbons.

[0021]Furthermore, the inventive compositions have shown to have improved lubricity, anti-wear, and extreme pressure performance at temperatures above 500° C. where graphite and molybdenum are known to fail.

[0022]Furthermore, the inventive compositions have shown to have environmental benefits in engine oils by improving fuel economy and reducing emissions.

[0023]Furthermore, the inventive compositions can be formulated to be food grade and have shown to have improved biodegradability making them environmentally non-toxic.

Problems solved by technology

With respect to use for lubrication purposes, biobased oils have not been fully desirable.

Many biobased oils do not possess the desired spectrum of characteristics relating to: pour point; oxidative stability; and compatibility with additives among others.

In addition, biobased oils are generally nontoxic and readily biodegradable.

Hydrocarbon oils are partially oxidized when contacted with oxygen at elevated temperatures for prolonged periods of time and can develop hard carbon deposits that cause seizer in close tolerant metal to metal contact areas.

Although such lubricants have been designed to be non-toxic as a food source contaminant their lubricating properties are often less effective compared to conventional lubricants e.g., lubricants not having ingredients approved for direct food contact.

A drawback with the food-grade-lubricants described in the related art relates to oxidation resistance, limited formulating capability for viscosity breadth, and limited viscosity protection.

The lubricants often have poor oxidation and rheology characteristics when subjected to prolonged heat and mechanical stress.

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