Acrylate Copolymer Friction Reducer for Severe Contact Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing friction reducers, such as organic molybdenum compounds, do not consistently exhibit a satisfactory friction-reducing effect, especially under severe conditions like point contact with high surface pressure.
Innovation Solution
An acrylate-based copolymer is developed by polymerizing constituent monomers consisting of an alkyl acrylate-based monomer, an alkylene glycol acrylate-based monomer, and at least one aromatic vinyl-based monomer or short-chain alkyl acrylate-based monomer, optimizing the molecular composition to enhance friction-reducing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If organic molybdenum compound is used as friction reducer, then friction-reducing effect is enhanced, but reliability under severe conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite friction reducer system consisting of multiple components: an extreme-pressure agent (containing sulfur, phosphorus, or metal elements), a friction modifier (organic molybdenum compound or fatty acid), and a viscosity index improver. This composite approach combines the strengths of different materials to achieve both high friction-reducing effect and reliable consistent performance under severe operating conditions, overcoming the limitation of using organic molybdenum compound alone.
2Reliability
If extreme-pressure agent consisting of copolymer containing alkyl acrylate and hydroxyalkyl acrylate is used, then dissolution stability and extreme-pressure performance are improved, but sufficient friction-reducing effect cannot be exhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of extreme-pressure protection and friction reduction by combining an extreme-pressure agent (which provides dissolution stability and extreme-pressure performance) with a friction modifier (organic molybdenum compound or fatty acid). This combination allows the lubricating composition to simultaneously achieve both reliable extreme-pressure performance and sufficient friction-reducing effect, addressing the deficiency of using copolymer-based extreme-pressure agent alone.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The acrylate-based copolymer effectively reduces friction in lubricating oils, providing a consistent and improved friction-reducing effect across various use conditions, including severe contact pressures.
Implementation Method 1
an acrylate-based copolymer that can be used as a friction reducer or the like exhibiting a satisfactory friction-reducing effect
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an acrylate-based copolymer obtained by polymerizing constituent monomers including a polymerizable monomer (a) consisting of an alkyl acrylate-based monomer represented by the following general formula (1) in an amount of from 10 mol % to 95 mol % with respect to a total number of moles of the constituent monomers, a polymerizable monomer (b) consisting of an alkylene glycol acrylate-based monomer represented by the following general formula (2) in an amount of from 5 mol % to 50 mol % with respect to the total number of moles of the constituent monomers, and at least one kind of polymerizable monomer (c) selected from the group consisting of an aromatic vinyl-based monomer (c-1) and a short-chain alkyl acrylate-based monomer (c-2) represented by the following general formula (3) in an amount of from 0 mol % to 60 mol % with respect to the total number of moles of the constituent monomers. In the formula (1), R1 represents an alkyl group having 4 to 18 carbon atoms, and A1 represents a hydrogen atom. In the formula (2), R2 represents an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, R3 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, A2 represents a hydrogen atom, and “n” represents a number from 2 to 20. In the formula (3), R4 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and A3 represents a hydrogen atom.